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      Erik ten Hag hints Man Utd could launch shock late January transfer bid after only securing Weghorst and Butland loans

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      ERIK TEN HAG has hinted that Manchester United could make a late swoop in the January transfer market.The Red Devils boss claimed he would “go for it” if an opportunity presents itself before Tuesday’s deadline.
      Erik ten Hag has hinted at a late January swoopCredit: Rex
      But the 52-year-old claimed the decision to sign players does not only rest on his shoulders.
      After a busy summer of incomings, United have not spent a penny this month.
      Their only additions so far in January have been loan moves for Wout Weghorst and Jack Butland.
      And despite more signings looking unlikely, Ten Hag reckons a club the size of Manchester United should “strike” if they do have a late chance to seal a transfer.
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      The Red Devils were interested in Cody Gakpo but missed out on the Dutch forward to bitter rivals Liverpool, reportedly to the frustration of Ten Hag.
      When asked ahead of tonight’s FA Cup meeting with Reading if he knew what areas he’d like to strengthen in the summer, Ten Hag said: “I have an idea.
      “But in the coming days, If I had the opportunity in the comings days [to strengthen], then I would go for it but this is not only up to me.
      “I think at this club, everyday, that has to be the approach. You have to get better and if they are opportunities to get better you have to strike.
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      “That is my approach and I am looking, I am looking around with research and I have an idea with the profiles and what profiles we need to strengthen this squad.”
      United have been linked with Inter Milan right-back Denzel Dumfries in recent days.
      Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Dumfries’ representatives have flown to England for talks with interested parties.
      Elsewhere, Juventus winger Federico Chiesa is another name claimed to be attracting interest from Old Trafford. More

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      Arsenal target Weston McKennie ‘completes £1m loan transfer to Leeds including summer buy option from Juventus’

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      LEEDS UNITED are reportedly set to complete the signing of Weston McKennie from Juventus.The USA international is believed to be joining the club on loan with an option to buy in the summer.
      Leeds have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Weston McKennieCredit: Getty
      According to Fabrizio Romano, the Yorkshire side will pay a loan fee of £1million and the option to buy him will cost £29m.
      Arsenal had been interested in the midfielder, but the report reveals that Leeds president Andrea Radrizzani was able to make a breakthrough with the Serie A giants.
      He tweeted: “Weston McKennie to Leeds, here we go!
      “Understand Leeds will pay €1.2m loan fee — deal will include buy option clause for €33m plus add ons.

      “Leeds president Radrizzani unlocked the deal with Juventus in the night.
      “McKennie has agreed personal terms with Leeds.”
      McKennie is expected to fit in well with the Leeds team and with the American influence on the team.
      Manager Jesse Marsch will likely use the box-to-box ace alongside fellow American midfielders Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson.
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      The deal however is a blow to Arsenal who had held an interest in the 24-year-old.
      The Gunners have already seen a £60m bid rejected by Brighton for star midfielder Moises Caicedo.
      Mikel Arteta wants the club to bring in more depth in order to compete with Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka. More

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      Arsenal icon Ian Wright backs Albert Sambi Lokonga as clip of Martin Odegaard venting frustration vs Man City goes viral

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      ARSENAL legend Ian Wright has leapt to the defence of Albert Sambi Lokonga after Martin Odegaard appeared thoroughly frustrated with him during their 1-0 defeat to Man City.Mikel Arteta’s men were dumped out of the FA Cup on Friday night as Nathan Ake’s second-half strike handed the Premier League champions a spot in the fifth round.
      Albert Sambi Lokonga played 45 minutes against Man City on Friday nightCredit: Getty
      Martin Odegaard looked furious with Lokonga at one stage during the gameCredit: Getty

      Ian Wright has defended Lokonga due to his lack of game timeCredit: Rex
      Lokonga, 23, who has started just 10 games so far this season, replaced Thomas Partey at half-time.
      And a clip went viral after the match of club captain Odegaard furiously gesturing to him for being out of position.
      Lokonga was then the first player to head down the tunnel after the full-time whistle and failed to acknowledge the travelling fans.
      But Gunners icon Wright was quick to shut down any negative talk about the midfielder during his post-match analysis.
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      Speaking on ITV, he said: “With someone like Sambi, he needs minutes, he needs to be playing, he needs to be able to understand and be more wary of where he is and what he needs to do and where he needs to be dropping in.
      “You’ve got to kind of sense that danger and that’s why he needs the minutes in games of this quality, because that’s where you learn.”
      Former Everton and Crystal Palace man Yannick Bolasie, who was a team-mate of Lokonga’s at Anderlecht, also defended the Arsenal man.
      He tweeted: “He’s a young player. Many people have done this but doesn’t mean he’s being disrespectful, I think people just looking for opportunities to get on his back which I don’t think is fair. His qualities will shine through.”
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      One fan then told Bolasie they “respectfully disagree” with his take.
      Before the Congolese international, 33, added: “My bro I’m not disagreeing about clapping the fans, that should be set in stone.
      “I’m just saying I know him and I know he expects a lot of himself because he’s a quality baller just wants to do well so badly for the club, sometimes in the moment head gets fried.”
      Arsenal will look to bounce back from their defeat to Man City when they travel to Everton in the Premier League next Sunday.
      They then host Brentford, before a mouth-watering clash against Pep Guardiola’s men at the Emirates on February 15.
      Arteta’s side currently hold a five-point lead over the defending champions and also have a game in hand. More

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      Malo Gusto arrives in London for Chelsea medical ahead of £26m transfer with defender missing Lyon’s clash vs Ajaccio

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      MALO GUSTO has arrived in London to undergo his medical at Chelsea, according to reports.The Lyon right-back has agreed a £26m move to Stamford Bridge after the Blues beat Manchester United to his signature.
      Malo Gusto is set to undergo his medical at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      And he’s now moved a step closer to completing his switch to the Premier League.
      According to RMC Sport, Gusto has a landed in the capital to have his Chelsea medical.
      As a result, the 19-year-old WON’T play in Lyon’s Ligue 1 clash with Ajaccio on Sunday.
      But Gusto will return to France because the two clubs have struck a deal that will see the teenager spend the rest of the season on loan in Lyon.
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      He is set to become Graham Potter’s sixth signing of the January window and will link up with his new team-mates in the summer.
      Gusto will cost the Blues £26.3m plus add-ons.
      Despite not turning 20 until May, he’s already played 54 matches for the French club, registering six assists during that period.
      And his arrival ahead of next season will see him provide some much-needed cover for Reece James, who’s missed much of this campaign with two separate knee injuries.
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      James has endured long spells on the sidelines, forcing him to miss more than 15 matches in all competitions.
      But the England star is in contention to return for Chelsea’s next game against Fulham on Friday. More

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      Tottenham eye Piero Hincapie transfer but will refuse to meet Bayer Leverkusen’s huge fee for defender

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      TOTTENHAM are keen on signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie after a starring role at the 2022 World Cup.The left-sided centre-back, 21, has attracted interest from a host of elite clubs worldwide after some standout displays for Ecuador in Qatar.
      Tottenham are keen on signing HincapieCredit: Getty
      Spurs are exploring a deal for Hincapie but will be unwilling to match Bayer Leverkusen’s £80million valuation.
      Boss Antonio Conte wants a new defender in this window to beef up a struggling defence.
      Tottenham’s leaky back-line has shipped 31 goals in only 21 Premier League games.
      And Hincapie is high on Conte’s shortlist.
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      A summer deal would be more likely for a player who is happy at his current club and still learning his trade.
      And Hincapie could reportedly be snapped up for £20m this month before being loaned back to Leverkusen until the end of the season, in a deal similar to that of Pape Matar Sarr.
      The presence of Conte and Harry Kane at Tottenham are trump cards for Hincapie.
      Spurs have already signed Arnaut Danjuma on loan from Villarreal until the end of the season.
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      But, their pursuit of top target Pedro Porro is on the verge of falling through.
      Tottenham are currently struggling to agree a payment structure with Sporting Lisbon for the defender, who is priced at £40m.
      Porro had already agreed to sign a five-and-a-half-year contract with the Lilywhites following the Portuguese League Cup final this weekend. More

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      Reason behind Mario Balotelli’s bizarre shirt number revealed as former Man City and Liverpool hothead turns to maths

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      MARIO BALOTELLI’S career has been a colourful mix of pluses and minuses.But at least the explanation for 15 years of wearing the No45 shirt adds up.
      Ex-Italy frontman Mario Balotelli kept up his shirt tradition when he joined his current team, Swiss club Sion, last AugustCredit: EPA
      Balotelli was also Inter numbers when he played under Jose Mourinho for the Italian giantsCredit: Getty
      The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker, 32, has insisted on the same number since joining his first big club Inter Milan in 2007.
      The Sion star has now been short-listed for the Fifa Puskas Award for the best goal of last year, with the winner to be announced on February 27.
      That’s thanks to his dazzling dribble and Rabona finish for his previous club, Turkey’s Adana Demirspor, last May.
      It’s another high in one of football’s most fluctuating stories.
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      And although there are a number of reasons why Balotelli’s fortunes have varied, there’s just one reason why his number has persisted.
      The 36-cap Italian once explained: “When I first played three or four games with Inter Milan, when I was young, I had No45 because the numbers for young players were from No36 to No50.
      “I took No45 because I was joking that four plus five is nine – and I scored in all four games.
      “It brings me luck and that’s why I’ve always kept No45.”
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      But if Balotelli’s antics hadn’t divided opinion so much, his achievements would surely have multiplied.
      Man City once disciplined him for throwing darts from a window, he had a sports car impounded numerous times and he accidentally set his home ablaze with fireworks.
      It’s also said he toured Manchester dressed as Father Christmas to hand out gifts and money to strangers, as well as putting £1,000 behind a pub bar to help locals celebrate.
      And his bust-ups include a furious training-ground row with then-City boss Roberto Mancini in 2016.
      So despite his love of maths, he’s one player who managers and team-mates alike have failed to work out.
      Ex-Man City frontman Balotelli demanded the No45 when he joined Liverpool from AC Milan in 2014Credit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun More

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      Ex-Man Utd star Chris Smalling stuns Jose Mourinho with Roma transfer request as contract rebel targets Inter Milan move

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      ROMA defender Chris Smalling has reportedly handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force a move to Inter Milan.The 33-year-old, who joined Roma from Manchester United in 2019, has entered the final six months of his contract.
      Smalling has reportedly handed in a transfer requestCredit: Getty
      Although the Serie A giants have offered him a one-year extension, Smalling has made it clear that he does not want to remain at the club.
      And according to Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb, he is eager to move on before the January transfer window closes.
      The defender has reportedly submitted a transfer request in an attempt to force a move away.
      Inter Milan are known to be interested in signing the former England international.
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      Simone Inzaghi is at risk of losing two key defenders in the summer, with Milan Skriniar and Stefan de Vrij both out-of-contract.
      And he sees Smalling as the ideal replacement should either man depart the San Siro.
      Inter had been expected to make a free transfer swoop for the defender at the end of the season, but an agreement could be made as soon as next week if Roma choose to let their man go.
      Smalling has made 121 appearances for Roma since joining the club from Man Utd in 2019.
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      He also played a crucial role in the club’s Europa Conference League triumph last season.
      As a result, he has established himself as one of Jose Mourinho’s key players. More

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      What happened to Arsenal midfielder Alex Song and where is he now?

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      BREAKING into a side that had proved invincible was no mean feat for a 17-year-old trialist.However, Alex Song impressed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger and was soon to sign on the dotted line for the club.
      Song made his Gunners’ Premier League debut in a 2-0 win over EvertonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Who did Alex Song play for?
      After breaking into the youth setup at his first professional club, Song’s career went on a trajectory that most budding footballers could only dream of.
      Here is a full list of Alex Song’s playing career:

      Bastia (2004-2006)
      Arsenal (2006-2012)
      Barcelona (2012-2016)
      Rubin Kazan (2016-2018)
      Sion (2018-2020)
      Arta/Solar7 (2020-present)

      In addition to this, Song had loan spells at a number of clubs.
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      Firstly spending a season on loan to Arsenal from Bastia, this led to The Gunners signing the midfielder.
      In 2007, he had a brief spell at Charlton Athletic before returning to Arsenal after their relegation.
      While on the books of Barcelona he had two loan spells at West Ham, making a return to London.
      What happened to Alex Song?
      When he finally secured a transfer to Arsenal, it looked like Arsene Wenger had unearthed another gem.
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      His performances at The Gunners was to soon attract attention from some European giants.
      After the sale of Cesc Fabregas, Song finally hit his peak with Arsenal in the 2011/12 season, ending it with eleven Premier League assists and lots of plaudits.
      This urged the vultures to circle and Barcelona were to acquire his services as they had done with ex-academy graduate Fabregas.
      Song later admitted his motivations for joining the Catalan side were purely financial and he had no issues with warming the bench for the Spanish giants.
      When he did feature for them, which was rare, he was often played out of position at centre-back.
      His uninspiring career at Camp Nou led to him being loaned out to West Ham.
      Song returned to Arsenal in 2018 to train with the club after Rubin Kazan said he could find a new club but the African midfielder was unable to secure a further contract in North London.
      Finally he was able to get a deal with Swiss Super-League side Sion but he was one of nine players to be sacked from the club during the coronavirus pandemic for refusing to take wage cuts.
      Where is Alex Song now?
      The former Arsenal midfielder, now 35-years-old, managed to win further honours with Arta/Solar7.
      In his first season with the club, he helped them claim their first Djibouti Premier League title.
      He is still on the books of the African side.
      Off the pitch, he has set up his own construction company and undertaken a number of projects building apartments in his native country of Cameroon along with an international school in Douala.
      Song has also launched his own fashion label called Systeme Tchakap which has over 22k followers on Instagram.
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