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      Arsenal ‘make Declan Rice top summer transfer target’ and are ‘confident’ of beating Man Utd and Chelsea to £80m star

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      DECLAN RICE has been identified as Arsenal’s top summer transfer target, reports suggest. West Ham star Rice is entering the final year of his contract at the London Stadium this summer – although there is an optional extra year – and with their recent struggles, Rice may finally opt to jump ship.
      Declan Rice has been made Arsenal’s number one targetCredit: Alamy
      Rice could be on the move next summer
      A number of top clubs are interested in the 24-year-old, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal.
      This summer is set to see a bidding war for the Englishman, which could see him eventually leave for £80million.
      However, according to The Times, Arsenal believe they are in the strong position to sign Rice because they are the Premier League leaders.
      The report indicates the Gunners remain keen on a new midfielder, and consequently have made Rice their priority.
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      Rice fits the mould of player targeted by Mikel Arteta in recent windows.
      He is young, aggressive, and has a burning desire to play in the Champions League – something Arsenal look all but certain to be able to offer next season.
      Arsenal did prioritise signing a new winger this month but saw their efforts to land Mykhailo Mudryk fail after Chelsea threw a colossal package at the Ukrainian.
      The Blues paid £88million for Mudryk, narrowly pipping Arsenal’s own £84m bid, before offering wages worth DOUBLE the Gunners offer.
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      Chelsea have been long-term favourites to sign Rice due to him supporting the club and being best friends with Mason Mount, as well as being a former member of their academy.
      Meanwhile, Man Utd were put off a deal for Rice last summer due to being quoted a price tag of £150m.
      But with this now almost halved, Rice’s decision could depend on who has the best footballing project available.
      The Gunners sit eight points clear at the top of table following their victory in the North London derby – a game where they cruised to victory.
      However, while the likes of Paul Merson believe the title is now “Arsenal’s to throw away”, defeat to United next weekend could throw things wide open. More

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      Watch former Premier League star score ‘goal of the season’ from near halfway line in non-league clash

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      FORMER Blackpool star Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored a blinding goal of the season contender from near the halfway line in a non-league clash. The ex-Premier League striker, who is joint manager for Nantwich Town, had to be drafted into the squad at the last minute for a trip to Belper Town on the weekend.
      Taylor-Fletcher produced the moment of the match after coming off the benchCredit: @TheDabbers
      The former Blackpool star seized his opportunity and made this audacious long-range effortCredit: @TheDabbers
      Off his line, the opposition keeper could do nothing about Taylor-Fletcher’s wonderful strike.Credit: @TheDabbers
      The pair both kicked off towards the bottom of the Northern Premier League, in the seventh tier of English football.
      Nantwich grabbed an important away win but the game will be remembered for the outrageous long range effort by Taylor Fletcher, who once netted at Old Trafford.
      The 41-year-old manages the non-league side alongside Ritchie Sutton but found himself added to the squad after striker Mwiya Malumo was unable to start the game.
      Ivan Urvantev came into the starting line while Taylor-Fletcher started on the bench.
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      The Nantwich joint gaffer then subbed himself on with his side 2-1 up in the second-half – and unleashed something extraordinary to secure the win.
      The Belper keeper messed up his clearance and directed the ball straight to Taylor-Fletcher, stationed just inside the opposition half.
      After trapping the ball with one touch, the ex-Blackpool man then whipped a jaw-dropping, long-range strike beyond the keeper.
      He was then mobbed by his players in celebration.
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      Taylor-Fletcher is mobbed by his teammates after his goalCredit: @TheDabbers
      Nantwich’s Twitter account posted the video with the message: “From originally not being named in the match-day squad, to winning goal of the season already.
      “All in a day’s work for [Taylor-Fletcher].”
      Fans loved the moment of genius, with one tweeting: “Rolling back the years. Cracking goal!”
      Taylor-Fletcher spent much of his career in the EFL but was memorably one of the stars of Blackpool’s sole season in the Premier League in 2010-11.
      Led by maverick manager Ian Holloway, the Tangerines stunned the league with their all-out attacking brand of football.
      Despite being unfancied at the start of the season, Blackpool clocked up 39 points but it was still not enough to avoid relegation.
      Blackpool needed victory at Manchester United on the final day and at one stage led 2-1 after Taylor-Fletcher netted, his sixth Premier League game of the season.
      But they would eventually lose 4-2 and went down with Birmingham City and West Ham. More

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      Newcastle ‘plotting triple transfer swoop on Chelsea for Gallagher, Loftus-Cheek and Ziyech’ to boost top four push

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      NEWCASTLE are hoping to sign THREE Chelsea players this month to improve their top four chances, according to reports.Eddie Howe’s men extended their phenomenal unbeaten league run by beating Fulham 1-0 on Sunday.
      Newcastle are long-term admirers of Conor GallagherCredit: Rex
      Ruben Loftus-Cheek has not played since the defeat at Newcastle in NovemberCredit: Getty
      Hakim Ziyech’s place might be under threat after the signings of Joao Felix and Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Getty
      Alexander Isak marked his first Prem outing since September by bundling home Callum Wilson’s late cross to hand the Toon Army a crucial victory.
      Newcastle sit third in the table, but are crucially FIVE points clear of fifth place Tottenham.
      They’re also on a club-record 14-game run without defeat in the Premier League.
      Regardless, Howe is still hoping to boost his squad, especially with the Magpies also just two games away from reaching the Carabao Cup final.
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      And according to the Telegraph, they’re looking to raid one of their top four rivals Chelsea.
      The report claims they’re interested in signing Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hakim Ziyech.
      The trio have been unable to nail down a regular place under either Thomas Tuchel or Graham Potter, although Gallagher and Ziyech did start against Crystal Palace.
      Howe’s priority is said to be centre midfielder but he’s also open to bringing in a winger.
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      But the Newcastle boss has been told that whatever he spends in January will come out of his summer budget.
      Meanwhile, the Magpies are also in the race to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen following his outstanding goalscoring for the Serie A leaders.
      Osimhen has scored 12 league goals in 14 outings this season, including two in the 5-1 mauling of Juventus on Friday.
      And they’re also on transfer alert for Borussia Dortmund man Youssoufa Moukoko. More

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      Man Utd star Anthony Elanga ‘wanted in Borussia Dortmund loan transfer with Everton target keen on Bundesliga move’

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND are reportedly keen on signing Manchester United winger Anthony Elanga.The 20-year-old has fallen behind Alejandro Garnacho in the Old Trafford pecking order.
      Anthony Elanga is a reported target for Borussia DortmundCredit: Getty
      And Elanga has emerged as a target for Dortmund, according to talkSPORT.
      Everton and Bournemouth are also claimed to be keen on the Swedish youngster, as well as other Premier League clubs.
      But a Dortmund switch is thought to be more appealing to Elanga.
      Fabrizio Romano reports the German giants have explored the possibility of signing Elanga on loan this month.
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      The Sweden international is said to be open to a temporary switch to the Bundesliga.
      Elanga has started just five Prem games this season for United.
      He is yet to find the back of the net in 18 appearances in all competitions.
      He has seen his minutes restricted by the emergence of Garnacho and arrival of £85million man Antony.
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      Marcus Rashford has also enjoyed a stunning return to form, and United still have Jadon Sancho to come back into the fold.
      As a result, Elanga’s options in the second half of the campaign look set to be limited.
      It was reported earlier this month that Everton had firmed up their interest in Elanga.
      And now Dortmund have emerged as potential candidates for his signature. More

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      Man Utd, Arsenal and Newcastle set for summer transfer battle for £135m-rated Napoli striker Victor Osimhen

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      MANCHESTER UNITED, Arsenal and Newcastle are set to battle it out to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen, according to reports.The striker is valued by the Serie A club at £135million.
      Premier League sides are set for a transfer fight for Victor OsimhenCredit: Getty
      The 24-year-old’s contract does not expire until the summer of 2025 but he has told his representatives he won’t make a decision on his future until the end of this season.
      Osimhen has been in amazing form for Napoli this term, netting 13 goals in 17 matches.
      He has helped Luciano Spaletti’s side top their Champions League group and they sit in first place in the domestic league, nine points clear of AC Milan in second.
      Osimhen is also well out in front in the Serie A golden boot race.
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      The Nigerian is wanted by the Premier League trio but a deal will not happen this month, claim outlet Il Mattino.
      Manchester United could be prepared to spend big on him as they look to fill the void left behind by Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Manager Erik ten Hag sees buying a striker as a top priority and he has Osimhen down as one of his dream signings.
      As for Arsenal, they could spend big on a centre-forward in the summer with Gabriel Jesus set to be out for some time due to a knee problem.
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      The title challengers will surely be back playing in the Champions League next season and reportedly want Osimhen to bolster their front line.
      Newcastle could also make an ambitious move for him, splashing their mega-rich owners’ cash.
      The Toon already have Chris Wood, Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak on their books as forward options, so they may have to sell if they did sign Osimhen. More

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      Arsenal fan Laura Woods mocks ex-Tottenham star Jamie O’Hara with VERY cheeky dig after North London derby humiliation

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      ARSENAL super-fan Laura Woods was quick to troll her talkSPORT co-host Jamie O’Hara after the north London derby.The Gunners ran out 2-0 winners over bitter rivals Tottenham on Sunday evening to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
      Arsenal ran out 2-0 winners in the north London derby on SundayCredit: Getty
      Arsenal superfan and talkSPORT presenter Laura Woods was over the moon with the resultCredit: GETTY
      Woods couldn’t help but rib former Spurs midfielder and fellow talkSPORT presenter Jamie O’HaraCredit: The Sun
      Woods was as proud as punch as she took to the talkSPORT airwaves on Monday morning along with former Spurs midfielder O’Hara, who said: “I can just see Laura sitting there gloating.
      “Look at her face, look how happy she is.”
      A beaming Woods replied: “Jamie, is this the happiest you’ve seen a woman for a while?”
      O’Hara couldn’t help but see the funny side of the retort and burst out laughing.
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      The 36-year-old said: “Absolutely!”
      A first-half own goal from Spurs skipper Hugo Lloris and a superb strike from Martin Odegaard saw Mikel Arteta’s troops extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points.
      O’Hara admitted: “We were shocking.
      “Fair play to Arsenal, they look the real deal. They look great.
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      “Laura knows it, everyone knows they are a top side at the minute.”
      O’Hara even went as far as to begrudgingly anoint the Gunners as champions-elect.
      “It looks like they are going to win the Premier League.
      “They just look like they’re on the ball, moving it quickly, one, two touch, have players that can make a difference.
      “But Spurs… honestly for 45 minutes we don’t turn up in a north London derby.
      Laura Woods was thrilled with Arsenal’s statement-making win over SpursCredit: GETTY
      “It’s embarrassing.
      “The second half was much better but still don’t have a killer instinct to win the game.
      “Arsenal looked like they could score every time they went forward. We can’t defend.”
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      Tottenham will look to bounce back from their disappointing derby defeat on Thursday night, travelling to the Etihad to take on title-chasing Manchester City.
      Arsenal, meanwhile, will welcome Manchester United to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. More

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      Alexander Isak’s dramatic late winner serves as reminder to Dream Team gaffers

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      YOU would be forgiven for forgetting that Newcastle signed a £63million striker in the summer. Alexander Isak (£3.4m) was restricted to just 244 minutes of playing time for his new club prior to the World Cup break because of a hamstring injury he incurred while on international duty in September.
      The Sweden forward would have been noticeably absent had the Magpies struggled in the months since but, on the contrary, they currently reside third in the Premier League table.
      Callum Wilson (£3.9m) and Chris Wood (£2.1m) have shared centre-forward duties between them with the former impressively averaging a goal involvement every 108.8 minutes in the top flight this term.
      Wilson has performed well again this season
      More broadly, Miguel Almiron’s (£3.4m) purple patch has meant there hasn’t been much talk of a need for more attacking threat.
      But of course Eddie Howe would have delighted to be able to call upon Isak again this month.
      The 23-year-old got some minutes under his belt against Sheffield Wednesday and Leicester in Game Week 17 and this weekend he reminded fans and Dream Team gaffers alike of his presence when he came off the bench to score Newcastle’s winner against Fulham.
      The goal itself was the simplest of tasks, a point-blank header with no goalkeeper to beat, but the magnitude of it should not be underestimated.
      Howe’s side are now just one point behind Manchester City and have realistic hopes of Champions League qualification having still only lost one league game in 2022/23.
      Isak’s goal was also a wake-up call for Dream Team managers who may have forgotten that the the former Real Sociedad striker scored two goals in three outings before his injury.
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      It’s a small size granted, but the Toon’s No14 is averaging a goal every 87.7 minutes in the Premier League since his big-money transfer.
      Those numbers, while probably unsustainable, certainly warrant consideration at the very least.
      The £63million manCredit: getty
      Saying that, patience remains a virtue, it’s not yet clear whether Isak is fully match fit or where he resides in the pecking order at St James’ Park.
      Surely the long-term plan is for Isak to be the first-choice striker but it would be understandable if Howe stuck by Wilson for foreseeable future – the England international has always played his best football under the former Bournemouth tactician.
      What’s clear is that Newcastle are a team to keep backing in the realm of Dream Team and their upcoming fixtures reinforce the validity of that idea.
      They face Crystal Palace next Saturday before two Carabao Cup semi-final legs against Southampton, then West Ham and Bournemouth – two teams at the foot of the table. More

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      Football chiefs to discuss changes to offside law this week after Rashford’s controversial role in Man Utd goal vs City

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      FOOTBALL’S law-makers will this week attempt to sort out the offside chaos after another weekend of controversy.Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team were left furious that Bruno Fernandes’ game-changing leveller was allowed to stand in the Old Trafford derby defeat despite an offside Marcus Rashford marshalling the ball towards goal.
      Bruno Fernandes saw his goal against Manchester City standCredit: AP
      This was despite Marcus Rashford appearing to interfere with play from an offside positionCredit: Reuters
      Man City players were furious over the decisionCredit: Getty
      Ref Stuart Attwell ruled that Rashford had not interfered or impeded any City defender.
      But the decision was the latest offside call to cause controversy.
      The previous weekend saw Mo Salah score an “offside” goal in the FA Cup draw with Wolves after it was deemed that defender Toti had “deliberately” played his wayward clearing header.
      And the lack of consistency across football in many countries sees the International FA Board under pressure to bring some certainty when it meets at Wembley on Wednesday.
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      The “business meeting” comes ahead of the March AGM when formal Law changes for next season will be agreed.
      But one prominent Ifab insider conceded that offside was a “grey area that needs to be addressed”.
      The first move will be confirmation of the guidelines for what determines a “deliberate” defensive play, with more concrete examples of what is viewed as a block or attempted interception – which would NOT be deliberate.
      That would probably have seen the Salah goal chalked off, as Toti was stretching for a misdirected header aware that the Liverpool man was behind him.
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      But Saturday’s events at Old Trafford have heightened the need for more guidance to officials over where an attacking player is or is not deemed to be interfering with play.
      The City defence stopped because they expected the flag to be raised against Rashford before keeper Ederson came out to narrow the angle.
      City could not believe the decision to award the goal after assistant Darren Cann – thinking Rashford had played the ball – raised his flag before Attwell intervened. More