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      Ex-Premier League striker who once cost £13.5m joins relegation-threatened League One side Morecambe on free transfer

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      EX-EVERTON striker Ouymar Niasse has finally found a new club – League One strugglers Morecambe.The former £13.5million Senegal star, 32, has been club-less since Burton Albion released him last summer.
      Nine-cap star Ouymar Niasse has joined his sixth English club in MorecambeCredit: Rex
      Shrimps boss Derek Adams has opted for experience with ex-Senegal ace NiasseCredit: Alamy
      The Yorkshire Post say Niasse kept fit by training with non-league teams West Didsbury and Chorlton.
      He previously played Premier League football for the Toffees, plus Hull City and Cardiff on loan.
      And after seven years in England he insists he’s delighted to sign for a close-knit club like the Shrimps.
      Niasse said: “It is fantastic to be here and to join the club. 

      “When I spoke to the manager (Derek Adams) and staff it was clear that there is a togetherness and unity here that I want to be part of.”
      Niasse’s big break came with Turkish top-flight club Akhisar Belediyespor in 2013.
      But it was during two years at Russian team Lokomotiv Moscow that he caught Everton’s eye.
      He landed a £13.5m move to Goodison in 2016 on a 4.5-year deal.
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      But he lost favour under Ronald Koeman, who said: “(If) Niasse likes to play football he needs to leave Everton.”
      Temporary stints with Hull and Cardiff were followed by short spells for Championship side Huddersfield in 2021 and League One Burton last year.
      And he’s now landed another short-term deal – with the aim of keeping fourth-bottom Morecambe up.
      Morecambe have brought in Niasse as they battle to stay In League OneCredit: Getty More

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      Harry Kane transfer to PSG makes perfect sense – he can make Messi and Mbappe even better

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      AFTER Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain were eliminated from the Champions League this week, one transfer makes perfect sense to me — Harry Kane to PSG.It is clear that Harry wants a move from Spurs and, with just one year left on his contract, this summer will be the last chance for his club to bring in a substantial transfer fee.
      Tottenham superstar Harry Kane should consider joining Paris Saint-GermainCredit: Getty
      SunSport columnist Troy Deeney claims Harry Kane would finally win trophies at PSGCredit: The Sun
      The England captain could have done no more than he has in his attempts to win a trophy for the North London side.
      He is the club’s all-time record goalscorer and he has been hugely influential but, yet again, the team has gone another season without coming anywhere near winning a trophy.
      I was flicking between Tottenham’s hugely disappointing goalless draw with AC Milan and PSG’s 2-0 Last-16 second-leg defeat at Bayern Munich on Wednesday night.
      And the French champions, for all their attacking talent, really do seem to lack a proper centre-forward.
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      Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi are possibly the best two players on the planet — but they are always looking to go out wide, likewise Neymar when he is fit.
      They would really benefit from a world-class player to go through the middle and Kane would be outstanding for them.
      Kane wants medals and he would win bagfuls of them in French domestic football with PSG. You could call them “easy medals” but if anyone deserves them, then Harry does.
      He would score 30 or 40 goals a season there and he could be the man who finally makes the difference in that club winning a Champions League.
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      I don’t see Spurs winning  trophies any time soon.
      As a club, they need a major rebuild, which will take two or three seasons at least.
      Spurs fans won’t want to hear it but they need to follow Arsenal’s example —  to build a new, young, fresh team under a hungry young manager. That means things might get worse before they get better.
       And Kane, who turns 30 this summer, hasn’t got time for that.
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      The spine of this Spurs team is unconvincing.
      When fit, Hugo Lloris is still the No 1 keeper and we know he is going to chuck a few goals in every season.
      Likewise, Eric Dier in central defence — he makes too many costly errors.
      In midfield, against AC Milan, they had Oliver Skipp and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. 
      Those two are not going to win you major trophies.
      Hojbjerg is a combative player but he came from Southampton, he is not a player who is used to winning every week.
      Up front, there’s Son Heung-min, who enjoyed such a richly productive partnership with Kane for so long but whose form has slumped completely this season.
      Dejan Kulusevski is young and inconsistent. Then there’s Richarlison — who I know well as a team-mate when we were at Watford.
      I like Richarlison but I didn’t want to hear him moaning about a lack of game-time after the Milan match.
      He hasn’t scored in the Premier League all season. He needs to keep quiet, knuckle down and get some work done.
      SPURS NO COMPARISON TO ARSENAL
      When I look at the spine of Tottenham’s team with that of Arsenal, well, there really is no comparison.
      Aaron Ramsdale is so solid, so too the centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
      Thomas Partey is probably the best defensive midfielder in the league, Martin Odegaard has been outstanding and — when he is fit — I really like Gabriel Jesus up front as well.
      I never got the feeling that Spurs were going to score against Milan. I’m sure Harry himself will admit that he didn’t have a great game. There was a header in injury-time, which forced a good save, but that was it.
      There was so little service. His England team-mate Harry Maguire has now been linked with a move to PSG — and I think they should go for Kane as well.
      Paris is not far from his family base in London and, while we always assume that if he left Spurs he would stay in England, I think he would benefit from a totally fresh start.
      Manchester United feels like the most obvious move for Kane this summer and Erik ten Hag is clearly after a centre-forward.
      But Spurs chairman Daniel Levy would still be reluctant to do business with a domestic rival.
      If PSG came in, he might be more tempted to cash in.
      Kane is an excellent pro, he will never allow his head to go down, he will never become petulant.
      It’s obvious, though, that he is getting  frustrated. Every time you see him dropping deep into midfield to try and influence play, you know that the team is not functioning properly.
      Spurs do have the best stadium in the country — but they don’t have a team to match. Nowhere near.
      It looks almost certain that Antonio Conte will leave soon — and they have to make sure they get the next managerial appointment right.
      I’m not sure whether going back for Mauricio Pochettino would be the right move, I’d go for a younger coach on the way up and then show some patience.
      Whoever they appoint, it feels the time is right for Kane to go.
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      If he leaves, he will go with a heavy heart, he’s “one of their own” at Spurs and that means a lot to him.
      But a player with Harry’s quality and dedication deserves to win things — and I reckon Paris could be the perfect place. More

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      I gave Salah his big chance in football after spotting talent in an Egyptian youth game.. he deserves to win Ballon d’Or

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      THE first time Ivica Todorov saw Mo Salah play football, he knew he had unearthed Egyptian gold.It was December 2010 and the Serbian-French coach had not long taken over as manager of Al Mokawloon Al Arab Sporting Club — also known as Arab Contractors.
      Mo Salah’s display in a youth-team game persuaded Ivica Todorov to throw him into a huge Egyptian top-flight matchCredit: YouTube
      Al Mokawloon Al Arab’s then-boss Todorov was blown away when he saw SalahCredit: Getty
      A chance visit to watch the club’s youth team on the outskirts of Cairo ended up being a Sliding Doors moment, one that changed his and Salah’s lives for ever.
      And 13 years later, it led to a major revision of the Liverpool record books.
      Salah’s display that day in junior colours was enough to persuade Todorov to blood the 18-year-old into the first team.
      The teenager — who initially took four hours and five buses to get to training — was a frustrated figure with no goals and no impact following a disappointing debut few months in the Egyptian top division.

      But it was under Todorov on Christmas Day when he scored his first-ever senior goal in a 1-1 draw at champions-elect Al Ahly.
      It was a typical Salah finish, displaying electrifying pace to breach the opponent’s defence and latch on to an upfield pass. While the finish from the yellow-shirted, curly-haired young striker was brilliant, the Ahly goalkeeper had a nightmare, letting the shot squirm under his body.
      Nonetheless, as Salah started to pray on the pitch, it was the first of many times he would enjoy seeing the ball nestle in the net.
      Todorov, 72, recalled: “Upon seeing him, I knew he was a rare talent.
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      “Mo was playing with the youth team when they were losing 1-0 until the last 16 minutes. He  participated and scored a goal and gave an assist.
      “I decided four days after this match to give him the chance against Egyptian giants Al Ahly.
      “I had the courage to play him and he scored a goal. The rest we all know.
      “This gave us confidence that we would not be relegated to the second division.
      “Time passes quickly — but I’m proud of Mo because he is among the best players in the world.
      “If I hadn’t been there to watch the youth game, he might even have been playing in the second division in Egypt today.
      “Salah is quick but it was necessary to develop the use of his pace on the field and his ability to control his movements while running.
      “We worked together to develop his control of the ball and his scoring — but the most important thing was his talent.
      “During our time together, I encouraged him not to listen to anyone and use his instincts when he has the ball.
      “I’m proud and happy with what he has done, because he’s a golden player and a great person.”
      EURO MOVE
      Salah only stayed in his homeland until 2012 before moving to Europe, first to Swiss club Basel and then on to Chelsea in 2014.
      Liverpool bought him for an initial £34.3million off of Roma in June 2017 — and in six years he has overtaken Robbie Fowler to become their record goalscorer in the Premier League.
      Top-flight goals Nos 128 and 129 came in Sunday’s 7-0 thumping of  Manchester United.
      He is still exactly 100 league goals off Ian Rush’s Liverpool record of 229 — but he will hope to continue chipping away at that against Bournemouth on Saturday.
      Last July, Salah, 30, penned a new three-year deal worth around £400,000 per week, which will keep him at Anfield until 2025.
      Essentially, it means he is likely to see out his best years under Jurgen Klopp.
      And on the form he is in now, Todorov reckons his protégé could one day become the best player on the planet.
      Todorov added: “In Liverpool there is everything to be happy, a great team with a great coach who trusts him.
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      “I hope he can win the Ballon d’Or to crown his career.
      “If Liverpool signed three or four top players, he could win the Ballon d’Or with the team.”
      Liverpool striker Salah hit a double in the 7-0 win over Man Utd last Sunday and is tipped to become the best player in the worldCredit: PA More

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      ‘No point watching now’ – BBC face huge backlash from footie fans after Gary Lineker is taken off air for migrants tweet

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      FOOTBALL fans have put the boot into the BBC and some claim they will boycott Match of the Day after Gary Lineker was taken off air.Many viewers are furious the Beeb made the presenter “step back” following his tweet attacking the government’s new immigration policy.
      The BBC say England legend Gary Lineker is ‘stepping back’ from MOTD while a ‘clear’ policy on his use of social media is agreedCredit: Alamy
      Ian Wright revealed he is showing ‘solidarity as he and Alan Shearer decline to go on MOTD this weekend in the absence of LinekerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Fellow ex-England players Ian Wright, Alan Shearer and Jermaine Jenas, plus former Lionesses star Alex Scott, then refused to appear on the show as a sign of support for Lineker.
      That forced the BBC to decide there would be NO HOSTS at all this weekend.
      The BBC say former Tottenham and Barcelona striker Lineker will be absent “until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media”.
      But fans rushed in with comments like: “Oh no, cancel all EPL games tomorrow, no one to host MOTD.”
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      Another said: “Lineker gets yellow card and sends off Wright and Shearer.” 
      A third vowed: “I’ll not be watching MOTD until he’s reinstated. Power to Lineker…”  
      The ex-Leicester City hero sparked huge controversy this week when he compared Government language used over the Illegal Migration Bill to that of 1930s’ Germany.
      Tories, including home secretary Suella Braverman, criticised Lineker for his “slur” and accused him of breaching BBC impartiality rules.
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      But others, including hordes of football followers, have backed Lineker for both his opinion and his right to speak out.
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      And MOTD fans appear frustrated he will sit out Saturday’s show.
      One posted: “Not a massive fan of Lineker but he is Match of the Day, no point watching now.”
      A second viewer wrote: “It is heartening to see Lineker’s colleagues standing in solidarity with him against the BBC.”
      Another said: “Tragic if we never see him on MOTD again but I stand with @GaryLineker.”
      HOW IT STARTED
      The row was triggered when Mr Lineker responded to a video on Twitter of Home Secretary Suella Braverman as she presented the Government’s small boats plan.
      The legislation will see migrants swiftly detained and removed to either their country of origin or a safe third state within 28 days.
      Sharing the clip, Mr Lineker said: “Good heavens, this is beyond awful.”
      Responding to another user who described him as “out of order”, he added: “We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries.
      “This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?”
      In a statement earlier, the BBC outlined they had undergone “extensive discussions” with the ex-England star, 62, following the furore.
      While the Beeb praised his sports coverage as “second to none” they said he should “keep well away from taking sides” on party political topics.
      The full statement read: “The BBC has been in extensive discussions with Gary and his team in recent days.
      “We have said that we consider his recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines.
      “The BBC has decided that he will step back from presenting Match of the Day until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media.
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      “When it comes to leading our football and sports coverage, Gary is second to none.
      “We have never said that Gary should be an opinion free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies.” More

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      Who could replace Gary Lineker as host of Match of the Day from The One Show regular to James Corden

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      THESE are some of the potential candidates that could eventually host Match of the Day after the BBC decided to pull Gary Lineker off air.The former England striker hit the headlines after he compared new immigration legislation to 1930s Germany.
      The BBC have pulled Gary Lineker off the airCredit: Getty
      That has led to people speculating as to who will step in as hostCredit: BBC
      In a major U-turn, the broadcaster announced Lineker would be suspended from his presenting duties after previously saying he would face no disciplinary action.
      They added that the suspension will remain in place until an agreement is reached on his social media use – which could potentially mean it is for the long-term.
      Attention quickly turned to who could replace him in the MOTD hot-seat.
      However, for the time being there will be NO HOST.
      READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER
      The BBC made that decision after numerous contenders ruled themselves out of the running in a show of solidarity with Lineker.
      Here, we take a look at those who could eventually end up replacing Lineker…
      JAMES CORDEN
      The Brit currently hosts the hit Late Late Show in America and is also set to stay Stateside to film his CBS chat show until next year before leaving the post following eight years in the job.
      Corden has previously presented the sports-based panel show A League of Their Own and is no stranger to football with the star being a huge West Ham supporter.
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      He was tipped as a contender to replace Lineker last year, with Lineker even tweeting the ‘eyes’ emoji in response to the story.
      James Corden would be a left-field choiceCredit: Getty
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      ALEX SCOTT
      The former Lionesses star, 38, began her media career while still playing football, appearing on programmes such as Soccer AM and also had other minor roles at BBC Sport, BT Sport, and Sky Sports.
      She started co-presenting on Match of the Day Kickabout after retirement and then made history as a pundit at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first female football pundit at a World Cup for the BBC.
      In August 2019, Scott was announced as the new co-host of Sky Sports’ Goals on Sunday alongside Chris Kamara and has been a regular presenter on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards while she is also a frequent guest presenter on The One Show.
      However, she says she won’t step in to host Match of the Day in place of Lineker after his suspension from the show.
      In a cryptic tweet she shared a meme of US politician Bernie Sanders saying: “Nah… not for me.”
      JERMAINE JENAS
      The 40-year-old former Premier League star regularly works as a pundit and commentator for BBC and BT Sport.
      Jenas began co-presenting The One Show on BBC One with Alex Jones and became one of its permanent hosts the following year.
      Last year he also performed the role of “Draw Conductor” for the 2022 FIFA World Cup draw.
      But Jenas also tweeted on Friday: “Been on air with the one show. I wasn’t down to be doing match of the day tomorrow, but if I was I would of said no and stood with my fellow pundits and @GaryLineker.”
      Jermaine Jenas has plenty of TV hosting experienceCredit: Getty
      MARK CHAPMAN
      The much-loved “Chappers” already has huge experience and has performed the role temporarily before.
      He also has experience of presenting but has hosted Match of the Day 2 on BBC One and Sky Sports’ coverage of the EFL Cup – but he now too is understood to have declared that he is standing with Lineker.
      MARK POUGATCH
      The 55-year-old also has huge experience in radio and television broadcasting.
      He is currently the Chief Sport Presenter for ITV Sport and fronts their major football and rugby coverage. 
      He is also the sideline reporter for Stan Sport’s UEFA competition coverage. 
      MANISH BHASIN
      Another well-known face and potential candidate for the job.
      He is a sports journalist and presenter broadcasting for Premier League Productions as the face of the Premier League’s global coverage to over 700 million viewers.
      And he also already works for the Beeb too.
      ALAN SHEARER OR IAN WRIGHT
      The two former England internationals are both regular pundits on Match of the Day and have been for years.
      They are close friends with Lineker, which could potentially be an issue.
      Wright announced that he would refuse to be on Saturday’s show after the news broke regarding Lineker.
      And that stance was swiftly followed by Newcastle legend Shearer, who tweeted: “I have informed the BBC that I won’t be appearing on MOTD tomorrow night.”
      GABBY LOGAN
      The Welsh presenter is a former international rhythmic gymnast who represented Wales and Great Britain.
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      She hosted Final Score for BBC Sport from 2009 until 2013.
      And she can always be relied upon to step up for duty should the occasion arise.
      Logan hosted Final Score for BBC Sport from 2009 until 2013Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Ian Wright is refusing to appear on the show as an act of solidarityCredit: Getty More

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      West Ham flop Gianluca Scamacca lined up for shock move to European giants just months after £30.5m transfer

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      STRUGGLING West Ham striker Gianluca Scamacca could reportedly be offered an escape route out of London by a European giant.The Hammers forked out £30.5m to Sassuolo for the 24-year-old last summer.
      A European giant are reportedly plotting a move for Gianluca ScamaccaCredit: Getty
      However, the Italian international has struggled in the Premier League and has scored just seven times in 26 outings.
      Despite his struggles, La Gazzetta Dello Sport claim that Inter Milan are targeting a move for Scamacca.
      The Serie A side are looking to replace veteran frontman Edin Dzeko, 36, at the end of the season.
      The publication claims that talks between the former Manchester City ace and Inter over an extension have stalled.
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      He wants a two-year deal once his current one expires in June but Inter are only willing to offer him one-year.
      And if no agreement can be reached then they already allegedly have a target identified in West Ham’s Scamacca.
      Only three of his goals have come in the top-flight for David Moyes’ struggling side and that has led to him losing his place.
      He made his first appearance since January when coming off the bench in last night’s 2-0 Conference League last-16 first-leg win over AEK Larnaca. 
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      Michail Antonio, who scored both goals, is currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
      While January recruit Danny Ings appears to be first-choice for Moyes as he looks to guide the Hammers to safety.
      And the East London outfit will be desperate for their frontman to produce the goods on Sunday when they host Aston Villa. More

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      ‘It hurt me’ – Newcastle star Anthony Gordon SLAMS Everton over exit and says he was ‘massive part in keeping club up’

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      ANTHONY GORDON admits feeling “hurt” at the way Everton dealt with his controversial move to Newcastle.The Goodison youth product initially refused to train with the Toffees before sealing his £45million move to Newcastle in January.
      Anthony Gordon hints he might not have handled his move from Everton perfectly but feels he had credit in the bank for better treatmentCredit: Alamy
      The winger, 22, feels he played a “massive part” in the Merseysiders staying up last season and insists they retain a “massive place in my heart”.
      But Everton responded to the Liverpudlian’s departure with just a 54-word summary of his six years at the club.
      The former England Under-21 star told Sky Sports: “It hurt me a little bit, I’m not going to lie to you,’
      “My whole life has been at Everton. I grew up in Everton.
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      “I wasn’t going out with friends and stuff when I was younger, I was always in Everton so it was a massive place in my heart and in my life which I’ll never forget.
      “I thought, ‘I’m a 22-year-old lad, I’m not going to handle every situation in life perfectly’.
      “But as a club with thousands of people working for them, I think the effort I gave them last year, I was a massive part in keeping the club up. 
      “Players’ player, manager’s player of the year, so for them to not really show me any credit or thank me for anything it hurt me a little bit.
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      “I think it is really difficult [to come back from supporters being unhappy]. Once things like that happen it’s hard to recover from.
      But Gordon added: “From afar I will always be rooting for them and wishing them the best.” More

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      Ex-Prem ace banned from driving despite claiming it might cost him chance of life-saving transplant

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      FORMER England star Kieron Dyer has been banned from driving — despite claiming it might cost him the chance of a life-saving transplant.The 44-year-old, who was fourth on I’m A Celebrity in 2015, admitted taking a phone call while at the wheel of his Audi.
      Kieron Dyer has been banned from driving — despite claiming it might cost him the chance of a life-saving transplantCredit: Rex
      But he argued in court he would face exceptional hardship if stripped of his licence under the totting-up points procedure.
      The former Newcastle United and Ipswich Town midfielder, who won 33 England caps, has a chronic liver disease.
      He told the court he needed to be able to get to hospital within two hours if a donor organ became available.
      Magistrates in Ipswich expressed sympathy but said he could afford taxis.
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      They banned Dyer, who lives in the town, for six months, along with a fine and costs totalling £836. More