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      Man Utd look set to keep Aaron Wan-Bissaka this month with Crystal Palace unable to pay raised transfer fee

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      CRYSTAL PALACE fear they will be priced out of re-signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United.The Eagles were interested in bringing him back to Selhurst Park after he had become a fringe player at Old Trafford.
      Aaron Wan-Bissaka has become a regular in the last few gamesCredit: Getty
      However, in recent weeks the defender has managed to earn his spot in Erik ten Hag’s side.
      Wan-Bissaka was part of the Manchester United side that managed to overcome cross-city rivals Manchester City on Saturday.
      And Selhurst Park chiefs are now concerned United will be less willing to let him go.
      The Eagles were counting on a loan move until that development.
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      But United will now demand a fee to part with the right-back as his recent form raising his profile in the squad.
      And it would be a stretch for Palace to buy him and match his Old Trafford wages.
      The Eagles are also interested in trying for former loan star Conor Gallagher from Chelsea one more time.
      Boss Patrick Vieira wants his former loan star back and Palace’s money men would find the funds to sign the fan favourite.
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      The England midfielder, 22, has been shunted around the Blues side in different positions since he went back to Stamford Bridge last summer.
      And may go further down the pecking order soon as Graham Potter searches for more reinforcements.
      However, Gallagher is still committed to making it at his boyhood club and that may be the biggest obstacle to progress for Palace.
      Vieira wants an extra midfielder and if Gallagher says no then he may have to go elsewhere and that door closes. More

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      Harry Redknapp: Fighters Xhaka and Partey are Arteta’s Vieira and Petit… and will be key to Arsenal beating Spurs

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      WHEN you think of those great Arsenal sides of the past, some of the greatest names to play the game come to mind.Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp are the obvious two, although there were so many others that you are spoiled for choice.
      Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey are fast-emerging as one of the most important midfield pairings in Arsenal’s Prem historyCredit: Reuters
      The Gunners’ most famous link-up in the middle was Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit, who helped them win the Double in 1997/98Credit: Action Images – Reuters
      Everyone remembers the fantastic football they played, how they would rip sides to shreds with their brilliant passing game.
      Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit were magnificent in the Gunners’ midfield and then Cesc Fabregas and Gilberto Silva after them.
      All great players and, although you don’t immediately think of Arsenal as a team of scrappers, up for a battle with anyone who fancied it.
      If things turned rough, those midfielders were all willing and able to fight against the best of them.
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      They didn’t lose many, either, and you can add Ray Parlour to that list, as well.
      And that is  the thing you get with all the great teams.
      They can all turn on the style but you need to have a bit of a snarl to your game as well.
      Well, there have been plenty of Arsenal sides since those glory days under Arsene Wenger who have played great football.
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      But when it got a bit nasty and they needed to roll up their sleeves, too often heads went down instead and they would be outmuscled.
      It has been their undoing so many times over the years.
      So when Arsenal went top of the Premier League table in August, most of us thought it was only a matter of time before things went belly up again.
      Only this season there is no sign of that happening.
      Mikel Arteta has got such a great blend that nobody is asking if they’re the real deal any more, as we  can all see that they are.
      Their football has been right out of the top drawer, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka magnificent down the wings, while Martin Odegaard is just  having a simply sensational season.
      But while they have the magicians — and none bigger than Odegaard — this time they’ve also got the dogs of war.
      And that could be the crucial thing that gets them over the line.
      Because while Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey might not win prizes for midfield style and sophistication, they have played as big — or maybe even bigger — part than most.
      Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard is having a ‘sensational season’Credit: Getty
      Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry formed a brilliant attack in front of Patrick Vieira and Co, but the current Gunners are exciting tooCredit: PA
      Both of them are real fighters — big, strong, powerful and aggressive — like a couple of minders taking care of the ball players around them.
      There’s no messing about, they just steam in, break things up, win the ball and then give it to others to make things happen.
      Partey looks the player we always felt he was, while Xhaka has gone from someone his own fans hated to someone they love.
      You’ll see how important they are in today’s North London derby because Tottenham will be right up for it — and any side with Harry Kane in it always has a chance.
      While Arsenal have the magicians — and none bigger than Odegaard — this time they’ve also got the dogs of war.Harry Redknapp
      But if Xhaka and Partey get on top in the middle, then I think those wingers will give Spurs’ full-backs a really tough afternoon.
      I can’t see Arsenal leaving with anything less than a draw, and  maybe three points, with how they’re playing.
      The bookies still make Manchester City title favourites and, obviously, when they’re in full flow they can mow down anyone.
      But they’ve also had a few bad performances this season, with a shock cup defeat at Southampton and league loss at Manchester United yesterday.
      Brentford went to the Etihad and won, Everton got a point there on New Year’s Eve and City are  well capable of chucking in the odd bad one.
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      Arsenal and City still have to play each other twice in the league and it could be a different story after that.
      But it’s definitely the Gunners’ title to lose  — and this time nobody sees it as only a matter of time before they do. More

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      Tottenham lining up £20m transfer for Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie on top of move for fellow defender Pedro Porro

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      TOTTENHAM are weighing up a £20m January move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie.And Spurs are set for talks with Sporting Lisbon this week to try to thrash out a deal for right back Pedro Porro.
      Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie shone for Ecuador in the World Cup and is now on the wishlist of Tottenham boss Antonio ConteCredit: Getty
      Porto want much more than the first offer of £27m Spurs made for Pedro Porro, who has been capped once by SpainCredit: Getty
      Tottenham boss Spurs boss Antonio Conte has made a new left-sided centre-back one of his main priorities and is among the many admirers of Ecuador international Hincapie.
      The 21-year-old caught the eye at the World Cup in Qatar and is on the radar of a number of clubs following impressive performances for Leverkusen since his arrival in Germany in 2021.
      The Bundesliga side, managed by former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, failed to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League and would consider selling.
      Spurs could be persuaded to buy Hincapie this month but then loan him back to Leverkusen for the remainder of the season.
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      Tottenham’s interest in Porro is further down the line.
      But the price for the Spanish defender remains a sticking point.
      Sporting want a lot more than the initial £27m Spurs are prepared to pay.
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      But the Premier League side hope that the offer of one or more players on loan, as well as significant add-on clauses, will persuade the Portuguese club to come to an agreement.
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      Porto winger Marcus Edwards, 24, has also been linked with Spurs.
      But the former England Under-20 star, who was in Tottenham’s academy from 2015-2019, reportedly has a £52m buy-out clause More

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      Sir Alex Ferguson surrounded by stars from former rivals Liverpool after they move into his luxury street

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      SIR Alex Ferguson has found himself surrounded by a rival red army — after four Liverpool FC stars moved into luxury properties on his road.The legendary ex-Man United boss, 81, once declared that his greatest challenge at Old Trafford was “knocking Liverpool right off their f*g perch”.
      Alex Ferguson is surrounded by Liverpool stars after four players moved into luxury properties on his roadCredit: Getty
      Liverpool defender Joe Gomez bought a house on Ferguson’s private roadCredit: Getty
      And he will have to tone down his famous “hairdryer treatment” with his new neighbours after Anfield goalie Alisson Becker and defender Joe Gomez bought houses in the same private road.
      They join full-back Andy Robertson and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the exclusive area in Wilmslow, Cheshire.
      A source said: “Sir Alex spent most of his career at loggerheads with Liverpool managers, Liverpool players and Liverpool fans.
      “He lives in a wonderful secluded private road — but in recent years it’s caught the eye of some of the Liverpool lads.
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      “Andy Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain moved in first.
      “Now the other lads have moved in and they are joking that they are trying to keep their head down so Sir Alex doesn’t give them the hairdryer treatment.”
      But United and France defender Raphael Varane also lives in the road to provide Sir Alex with some moral support.
      Full-back Andy Robertson also lives on the exclusive road in Wilmslow, CheshireCredit: PA
      Goalie Alisson Becker recently moved into the areaCredit: Getty
      Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the first Liverpool player to move inCredit: AP More

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      Southampton ready for ANOTHER transfer raid on two Man City kids – and could even poach their academy boss too

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      SOUTHAMPTON are plotting yet another big money summer raid on Manchester City’s Academy stars.Saints want midfielder Kian Breckin, 19, and 18-year-old winger Portuguese Carlos Borges, both of whom have been tipped for big futures.
      Southampton are interested in Manchester City youngster Kian BreckinCredit: Getty
      Carlos Borges is also wanted by SouthamptonCredit: Getty
      City banked £40million when Southampton signed starlets Romeo Lavia, Gavin Bazunu and Sam Edozie last year, with buyback clauses included in all three deals.
      Etihad Academy director Jason Wilcox could also head to St Mary’s, as he is presently weighing up a lucrative offer to become Director of Football.
      Breckin and Borges signed their first professional contracts last year and have played starring roles for City’s kids at the top of Premier League 2.
      City wouldn’t let them go for peanuts, but are increasingly open to giving their youth products a quicker first-team pathway.
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      Yet that is dependent on retaining the option to buy them back at an agreed figure in the future.
      Southampton were also keen on teenage striker Liam Delap, 19, who was on loan at Stoke, after failing with a £20m-plus offer last year, but he has joined Preston for the rest of the season.
      The south coast club have continued with the transfer plan that they established in the summer despite the removal of manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.
      The Austrian was replaced by Luton Town boss Nathan Jones.
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      Jones has had a mixed time since taking over at St Mary’s Stadium.
      After a dismal start that saw the Saints fall to bottom of the table, success is starting to be found.
      The club are into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup after beating Manchester City.
      And in the league, they are on the up after beating Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park. More

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      Erik ten Hag has Man Utd scouts watch over a DOZEN Dutch stars – including Jurrien Timber – as boss eyes transfer raid

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      ERIK TEN HAG has handed Manchester United’s European scouts a list of more than a dozen young Dutch stars to keep tabs on.The United manager has made it clear he wants to lower the age profile of his squad over the next 18 months and is focusing on up-and-coming kids in his native Netherlands.
      Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag wants to add stars from the NetherlandsCredit: Getty
      Manchester United are still keeping tabs on Ajax star Jurrien TimberCredit: Rex
      Ten Hag is still keen on his old Ajax centre-back Jurrien Timber, 21, who United wanted to sign last summer and have continued to monitor.
      There were claims Louis van Gaal advised Timber against moving to Old Trafford at the time – later rubbished by the former United boss.
      Yet he remains high on Ten Hag’s hit list, along with another Ajax duo in right-back Devyne Rensch, 19, and 20-year-old central midfielder Kenneth Taylor.
      AZ Alkmaar’s Swedish winger Jesper Karlsson and PSV midfielder Joey Veerman, both 24, have also been earmarked as potential signings.
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      A United insider said: “The manager is insistent there are gems in Holland and Germany the club should take a greater interest in.
      “He feels quite strongly that United can steal a march and the scouts have been told United need to ramp things up in both Holland and Germany.”
      So far, Ten Hag has three Dutch players in his senior squad, two of which he signed himself.
      The 52-year-old tactician reunited with Donny van de Beek, 25, upon his arrival at Old Trafford last summer following their stint together at Ajax.
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      The Dutchman then landed Tyrell Malacia, 23, from Feyenoord during the summer transfer window.
      And Ten Hag has just signed Wout Weghorst, 30, on loan from Burnley.
      Manchester United are also interested in PSV Eindhoven star Joey VeermanCredit: Getty
      AZ Alkmaar star Jesper Karlsson is also among Manchester United’s targetsCredit: Getty More

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      West Ham boss David Moyes keen on Dundee United wonderkid Rory MacLeod and could land £4million transfer

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      WEST HAM have joined the queue of clubs after Dundee United starlet Rory MacLeod.The Scot, 16, is the Terrors’ youngest-ever first-team player and is getting SPL game time.
      West Ham boss David Moyes is interested in Dundee’s Rory MacLeodCredit: Getty
      David Moyes is hot on the forward’s trail.
      But his scouts want to see the starlet play a little more before committing.
      MacLeod has made seven appearances for the first team this season, but is yet to score his first goal.
      He has turned out for the Scotland youth sides and has made six outings for the under-17s.
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      Hammers are watching as United would sell for around £4million plus extras.
      Moyes could see Macleod as one for the future with his current leading man Michail Antonio not getting any younger.
      The 32-year-old is the club’s record goalscorer in the Premier League, but is starting to see his powers fade this season.
      Antonio has only managed to score five goals in his 25 appearances in all competitions games and is seeing his role reduced after summer signing Gianluca Scamacca’s arrival.
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      The Italian forward has impressed at times and has been a slightly more regular source of goals, firing in seven goals in 24 appearances.
      Overall the Hammers need to start finding more goals as they are struggle in the Premier League.
      Saturday’s defeat to Wolves saw them drop to 19th in the table, only off the bottom on goal difference.
      The club’s terrible run of form has seen them pick up just one point from their last seven games. More

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      Chelsea fans FUME as club agrees £89m Mykhailo Mudryk transfer after failing in Enzo Fernandez bid

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      CHELSEA fans have lashed out after the club reached a megamoney deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo Mudryk after giving up on their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez.The Blues have hijacked Arsenal’s bid for Mudryk, 22, as they reached a staggering £97million deal with Shakhtar.
      Chelsea have agreed a megamoney deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhailo MudrykCredit: Kenny Ramsay
      Chelsea fans are fuming as they insist the money could have been used for Enzo FernandezCredit: Getty
      The winger is expected to put pen to paper on a seven-year deal with the West Londoners and fly to the UK to undergo a medical.
      However, a section of Chelsea fans are not at all happy with that development as they insist that money should have been invested on Benfica star Fernandez, 21.
      Graham Potter’s side was at loggerheads with the Portuguese giants as they refused to pay the midfielder’s £105m release clause and failed in their bid to negotiate.
      That was after the Argentina international’s stunning 2022 World Cup campaign that saw him win the title and being awarded as the tournament’s best young player.
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      One fan tweeted: “Mudryk’s worth €100m but apparently Enzo Fernandez isn’t worth €120m. Todd Boehly. Genius.”
      Another posted: “Chelsea would rather pay £85m to hijack Mudryk from Arsenal than bring in Enzo Fernandez. Misplaced priority.”
      A third commented: “Banter aside, add a little extra and go get Fernandez man. Let Mudryk go to Arsenal.”
      That supporter said: “We are going to pay 100M for a player who prefers Arsenal (Mudryk) and we are not going to pay 120M for one of the best players in the world cup (Enzo Fernandez) who WANTED TO GET TO CHELSEA.
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      “It’s a shame, this club is going to s**t if we don’t change our president and coach.”
      And that one tweeted: “Why are we spending €100m on Mudryk when the Midfield needs more attention?This should be spent on Enzo Fernandez.”
      Mudryk has long teased a move to Arsenal having openly discussed his desire to join as well as posting pictures watching the Gunners’ games on social media.
      But it now appears the Ukraine international is on his way to Chelsea. More