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      Watch Joao Felix get SENT OFF on Chelsea debut for shocking high lunge just a day after signing on loan for £14m

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      JOAO FELIX was sent off on his Chelsea debut for a reckless lunge on Fulham star Kenny Tete.The new loanee lasted less than an hour as his dangerous tackle left referee David Coote with little option but to brandish the red card.

      Joao Felix received a straight red cardCredit: Getty
      The striker dived in recklessly and out of control
      His high tackle caught Kenny Tete on his shin
      Felix sprinted to try and reach a loose ball before diving in off the ground.
      The striker’s tackle lacked control as he caught Tete high on his shin.
      Fulham players immediately surrounded the referee who took time to consider his decision before brandishing the red card.
      Former Premier League referee Peter Walton suggested Felix had endangered his opponent and deserved to walk.
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      He said on BT Sport: “He has lunged in, there is no intention of course, but he’s gone in too high.
      “It’s the right decision for me. He has endangered the opposition.”
      BT Sport pundit Lucy Ward added: “There is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that it was a red card.
      “He followed through and there was no suggestion he was going to bend his leg. It was reckless.”
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      Felix’s Chgelsea career has got off to a nightmare start after opnly confirming his loan switch on Wednesday.
      The Portugal international did not come cheap either, with Chelsea paying Atletico Madrid £9m to take him for the rest of the season.
      The Blues are also covering his £250,000-a-week wages, which means their total outlay on the deal is £13million. More

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      Chelsea flop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s hopes of rejoining Barcelona face huge stumbling block due to LaLiga rule

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      PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG looks set to face failure over any potential return to Barcelona after a LaLiga rule emerged prohibiting a move. The Gabon striker has endured a tough spell since signing for Chelsea, and now reportedly wants to return to the Nou Camp.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang won’t be allowed to move back to BarcelonaCredit: Getty
      But it seems his wishes will fall on deaf ears after it was revealed such a move is not legal.
      Fifa rules stipulate that a player cannot play for more than two clubs in a season unless the calendar is different – opening up the possibility of an MLS move.
      Since Barcelona were his previous club, a transfer is fine under these rules.
      However, the Royal Spanish Football Federation has a rule which makes a deal impossible.
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      Article 130 reads: “A player may be registered in only one team of a club, without the possibility of being withdrawn and released by the same club in the course of the same season, except in cases of force majeure or regulatory provision.
      “Likewise, during the course of the season, he/she may not be registered and play in more than three different teams.”
      In addition, La Liga’s Article 141.5 says: “Footballers whose licence is cancelled may not, in the course of the same season, obtain a licence in the same team of the club to which they were already associated.”
      This means that had the move been a loan instead, a return would have been permitted.
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      Barcelona would have “loved” the idea of bringing back the 33-year-old, who scored 13 times in 24 games for them last season.
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      Aubameyang joined Chelsea in £10million deal in the summer, but has failed to impress on his return to England.
      He has scored just three times in 16 games and not performed well either.
      The ex-Arsenal ace would have been hoping to prove a point after being frozen out at the Gunners by Mikel Arteta.
      In the club’s Amazon: All or Nothing series, Arteta revealed he had a dossier of all his past indiscretions.
      He told a member of his coaching staff: “I have everything documented, with the dates, the times, the conversations, how it happened, why it happened . . . because if one day it’s needed.
      “(Aubameyang) has been late, apart from all the (other) issues, many times.” More

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      Five points separate the bottom eight in the Premier League – this could be the tightest top-flight race to survive ever

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      AS the Premier League reaches its halfway point this weekend, millions of anxious fans are asking the same question.Where are Norwich and Watford to bail us out?
      Conor Coady and Everton are in real troubleCredit: Getty
      The Toffees face a reinvigorated Southampton, themselves still in danger, on SaturdayCredit: Rex
      Because while the title race might already be down to two teams, the fight to avoid the drop is wide open.
      Just five points separate the bottom eight and you can make a case for absolutely any of them to be relegated this season.
      That is because, unlike most years, there are no absolute bankers to go down, with even Fulham refusing to reprise their customary role of top-flight cannon fodder.
      So from bottom-of-the-table Southampton all the way up to Leicester in 13th, the absence of the usual safety net is making this year’s high-wire act more precarious than ever.
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      The fact that six of the Frightful Eight are facing off this weekend only adds to the drama.
      And nowhere will the stakes be higher than at Goodison Park when Everton host a Saints side revitalised by two morale-boosting cup wins in a week against Crystal Palace and Manchester City.
      It’s a pity for Nathan Jones that those victories don’t come with points, because that’s what he needs far more than extra matches right now.
      Just like tomorrow’s opponents, Southampton have managed just five points from their last ten league games and can no longer take their place among the top-flight elite for granted.
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      Next week marks the first anniversary of Rafa Benitez’s sacking after his disastrous 200 days in charge at Everton.
      But things have only gone from bad to worse at the so-called  People’s Club, where they flogged Richarlison, the player who kept them up almost single-handedly last season, and spent the money on Neal Maupay, James Garner and Dwight McNeil.
      Frank Lampard has just received the backing of owner Farhad Moshiri but it’s the fact there are no obvious managerial alternatives available that is keeping him in a job. The same is probably true at West Ham, where David Moyes spent £158.1million last summer to take the team to one place above the relegation zone.
      Leeds continue to veer from the sublime to the ridiculous under the highly emotional Jesse Marsch while the dead cat bounce enjoyed by Gary O’Neil is well and truly over at Bournemouth.
      Jesse Marsch’s Leeds veer from sublime to the ridiculousCredit: Reuters
      Leicester appeared to have pulled their way out of trouble after a disastrous start to the season but without the injured James Maddison, have dropped right back into trouble and are by no means safe.
      Nottingham Forest remain as unpredictable as ever, giving Steve Cooper a new contract when everyone expected him to be sacked and continuing to sign new players like there’s no tomorrow.
      In fact, the only one of the strugglers showing any discernible signs of improvement are Wolves, where the appointment of Julen Lopetegui is finally starting to have an effect.
      Victory at home to West Ham tomorrow could lift Los Lobos (Portuguese Wolves) out of the relegation zone for the first time in four months and possibly as high as 15th, depending on results elsewhere.
      But nothing is that straightforward in this year’s fight for survival and the only thing for certain is there will be a lot of loose bowels in the boardrooms in the coming months.
      TEN WOUT OF TEN
      QUITE a few eyebrows have been raised by Manchester United’s recent decision to sign Burnley cast-off Wout Weghorst on loan.
      But having seen the speed with which Erik ten Hag has transformed the team this season, I think he should be given the benefit of the doubt.
      Wout Weghorst could be a shrewd signing by Erik Ten HagCredit: Rex
      The no-nonsense Dutchman might have spent a small fortune acquiring Antony, Casemiro, Tyrell Malacia,  Lisandro Martinez  and Christian Eriksen last summer but they have all been key players in the Old Trafford revival.
      And if he believes Weghorst can help cement a top-four position this season, who are we to argue?
      TODD A BLUES DUNCE
      IF it’s true that a fool and his money are soon parted, then Chelsea’s new owners should be wearing a dunce’s cap.
      Having paid £4.25billion to buy the club from sanctioned oligarch Roman Abramovich, they spent a further £260million in the summer transfer window.
      That still wasn’t enough to keep Thomas Tuchel in a job and after 100 days of the new regime he walked away with £15m in compensation.
      A similar sum was handed to Brighton for boss Graham Potter and less than two weeks into the January window they are still splashing out like a drunk in a whorehouse.
      David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos and the on-loan Joao Felix have already been added to the Boehly Collection this month and enquiries have been made for Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk, Moises Caicedo and God knows who else.
      Having allegedly suggested a 4-4-3 formation to former manager Tuchel, maybe Tinkerman Todd now favours his Blues going 5-5-4.
      VAR DOESN’T LINE UP
      TWO goals were scored from offside positions in Sheffield Wednesday’s FA Cup win against Newcastle because there was no VAR.
      But they had all the technology in place for the Liverpool v Wolves tie yet still couldn’t tell if Toti Gomes’ late winner should have been ruled out.
      Josh Windass’ first goal for Sheffield Wednesday against Newcastle would have been ruled offside if there was VARCredit: Rex
      Meanwhile, the Carabao Cup will use the red and blue lines now  the competition has reached the semi- final stage despite coping perfectly well without it in the previous rounds.
      Four years after VAR was introduced into the English game and we still can’t make our minds up if it’s been a help or a hindrance. It’s the sporting equivalent of Brexit.
      AUSSIES ARE ARCHER’S TARGET
      JOFRA ARCHER marked his return to cricket with three wickets for MI Cape Town in the new South African T20 competition.
      After 18 months out with back and shoulder injuries, England’s quickest bowler now seems a shoo-in for this summer’s Ashes series.
      Skipper Ben Stokes certainly seemed excited when he welcomed Archer’s return on social media.
      Jofra Archer returned to cricket this week and took three wicketsCredit: Rex
      Yet England haven’t struggled in Archer’s absence and it seems unfair one of the front-line bowlers should have to make way for his return.
      But that’s the nature of elite sport and having someone who can scare the living daylights out of Aussies David Warner and Steve Smith can only be a good thing.
      HE’S IAN POUTER
      MOVE on over Cristiano Ronaldo because there is a new king of the sporting prima donnas.
      LIV golf rebel Ian Poulter threw a hissy fit after the Ryder Cup Team Europe Twitter account did not wish him or Sergio Garcia a happy birthday this week.
      Pocketing around £20million for his part in tearing the sport apart obviously isn’t enough for the 47-year-old man-child.
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      It seems Poulter now expects colleagues he abandoned to organise him a party with jelly and a cake.
      The best part of it all was that it was not until 15 minutes after his meltdown that the LIV organisation took to social media to send him birthday greetings. More

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      Man Utd legend Eric Cantona says club ‘can’t buy the best players’ and should copy Liverpool as Weghorst set to sign

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      ERIC CANTONA says Manchester United need to follow the blueprint of bitter rivals Liverpool to get themselves back to the top of the game.The Red Devils legend reckons the six year trophy drought at Old Trafford means they can no longer expect to attract the biggest names around.
      Eric Cantona wants Manchester United to sign players who have potential like Sadio Mane and Mo Salah didCredit: Getty
      United are closing in on the loan signing of Wout WeghorstCredit: Getty
      But he says Jurgen Klopp has shown down the M62 at Anfield that if you sign good players who are the right fit then success can still follow.
      New United boss Erik ten Hag described the signings made over the last 10 years as ‘average’ when he assessed where United currently are last weekend.
      The imminent arrival of Burnley’s Wout Weghorst on a loan deal to the end of the season is hardly likely to get pulses racing either.
      And the former French international – who was such a talisman for United in the early to mid-90s – says the fans have to get used to it.
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      He said: “During the time of Alex Ferguson if you wanted a player, the best in the world, he would come to Manchester United because they were winning in England and Europe.
      “United were the biggest club in the world and they had the money to buy any type of player.
      “Now it is different, because the best players want to play in a team to win things.
      “And United are not in the position to be able to choose the best ones because the best ones won’t come to United.”
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      Cantona says Liverpool – who have won the Champions League and Premier League in the last four years – have shown it can be done.
      They took educated punts on players such as Sadio Mane and Mo Salah which paid off handsomely for them.
      He added: “You have to be clever. Clever like Liverpool. They took Mane and Salah, not the best players in the world, but with a great team and a great atmosphere, together they won things.
      “And then Mane and Salah became the best players in the world. That’s a great example for United.” More

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      Chelsea’s new signing Joao Felix STARTS vs Fulham in crunch Prem match a day after loan move was finalised

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      JOAO FELIX has been named in Chelsea’s starting line-up against Fulham.His signing was only confirmed yesterday but Graham Potter believes he is ready to make his Premier League debut.
      Joao Felix arriving at Craven Cottage ahead of his Chelsea debut
      Felix starts in attack alongside Kai Havertz and Mason MountCredit: Getty
      Felix was granted a work permit earlier today and goes straight into the team in place of Hakim Ziyech.
      He will start in attack alongside Kai Havertz and Mason Mount as Chelsea line-up in a 3-4-3 formation.
      Felix often played as a striker for Atletico Madrid but he could fulfil a number of different roles at Stamford Bridge.
      He featured at left wing for Portugal at the World Cup and he could start on the left against Fulham.

      The 23-year-old prefers operating as a no.10 however, stating: “My best position is as the second forward.
      “Playing like a No.10, with a guy in front of me.”
      Dennis Zakaria and captain Cesar Azpilicueta also come into the side following the Blues’ 4-0 defeat to Manchester City last Sunday.
      Chelsea have won once in their last nine games with Potter under increasing pressure in his job.
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      Fulham are on a four-match winning streak and could move six points clear of Chelsea with a victory.
      The Blues will hope to end that run with help from Felix, who scored four goals in 14 LaLiga games for Atletico this season. More

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      Fulham 2 Chelsea 1 LIVE RESULT: Joao Felix SENT OFF on Blues debut as Willian and Vinicius goals pile pressure on Potter

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      CHELSEA fell to defeat once again as the pressure mounts on Graham Potter, with Joao Felix seeing red on his debut.Willian refused to celebrate after scoring the first goal of the game, picking the ball up on the left-hand side and firing a low shot into the back of the net, deflecting off Trevoh Chalobah.
      However, Chelsea were level just after half-time as Mason Mount hit the post from a free-kick. Koulibaly followed up to fire in.
      Debut man Joao Felix was sent off for a poor challenge on his debut, with his studs high and a correct decision awarded before former Spurs striker Vinicius put the hosts ahead.
      The Blues registered yet another defeat as Potter sees the pressure ramp up on him at Chelsea.

      RESULT: Fulham 2 Chelsea 1
      TV/Live stream: BT Sport 1
      Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Tosin, Ream, Robinson, Palhinha, Reed, Andreas, De Cordova-Reid, Vinicius, Willian
      Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Silva, Chalobah, Koulibaly, Hall, Kovacic, Zakaria, Mount, Havertz, Felix

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      Keep up with the latest with our LIVE blog below…
      Sky’s the limit in SW10
      After tonight’s victory, Fulham move up to sixth in the Premier League table, three points clear of Liverpool in seventh place.
      The side who were favourites with many to go straight back down are upsetting the odds.
      Marco Silva’s side have already amassed more points than the entire season the last time they were in the Premier League.
      Levels.
      Marco’s gamble pays off
      Andreas Pereira, struggled to break through at Old Trafford.
      Fulham paid £8m for the attacker, potentially rising to £10m with add-ons.
      Absolute bargain.

      FT: Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      Graham Potter goes over to the Chelsea fans and applauds them.
      Not quite sure that will add the stability to his position he craves.
      The stats suggest a side who shipped out two strikers in the summer and didn’t replace them.

      FT: Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      The referee brings the game a close, Fulham have won the bragging rights in this West London derby.
      Fulham now have more points than they had in the entire season the last time they were in the top-flight.
      Huge win for Marco Silva and his squad.
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      90+6. We are getting into last chance saloon time for Chelsea.
      A long ball is played out wide, trying to find Cucurella.
      He mis-controls the ball and it goes out for a throw in.
      Credit: AFP
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      90+4. Pereira and Vinicius come off for the home side.
      Nathaniel Chalobah comes on along with Dan James.
      Leno takes his time with the free kick, this is all about game management now for The Cottagers.
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      90+2. Fulham still quite happy to come forward and take the game to Chelsea.
      The visitors counter as Koulibaly plays a long ball forward towards Havertz.
      He shoots from outside the box but Leno is equal to it.
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      90. Andreas Pereira has been awarded the man of the match award.
      We are going to have six additional minutes added on.
      The home fans gasp at the number.
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      88. Chelsea are throwing everything they can at Fulham now.
      The hosts are managing to keep the ball out one way or another.
      Huge cheer from the home fans as Leno catches the cross.
      Credit: Getty
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      86. Chukwuemeka has looked the most dangerous player in a Chelsea shirt since coming on.
      Everything they do well is going through him.
      Fulham know what is needed now, stout defence to protect their lead.
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      84. Time is starting to run out for Chelsea.
      Even more so for Graham Potter.
      The guillotine is being sharpened back at Stamford Bridge.
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      82. Chukwuemeka plays a great threaded ball through to Havertz.
      The German forward cannot take the ball into his stride.
      Fulham manage to clear their lines.
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      80. Chelsea make a quadruple substitution.
      Last throw of the dice for the visitors.
      Gallagher, Ziyech, Cucurella and Chukwuemeka all come on.
      We are into the last ten minutes of the game, Chelsea have it all to do.
      Credit: AFP
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      78. The home fans are loving this scoreline.
      Letting the away fans know who is control of this game.
      Chelsea are struggling to contain Fulham on the attack.
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea – Mount yellow card
      76. Mason Mount takes out his frustration in the challenge on Cairney.
      No hesitations from the referee to show the yellow card.
      Fulham are growing in confidence now.
      Fulham 2-1 Chelsea
      74. Fantastic delivery into the box by Pereira.
      Kepa comes for the ball and gets nowhere near it, leaving himself in no man’s land.
      Vinicius pretty much got to head it into an empty goal.
      Goal – Carlos Vinicius (Fulham)
      Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
      72. Marco Silva is on the touchline giving orders to his players.
      The home side really haven’t taken advantage of the extra man so far.
      They need to press Chelsea higher up the pitch and make the numbers count.
      Credit: EPA
      Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
      70. Chelsea are trying to play passing triangles in difficult areas to make up for the fact they are a player short.
      If they can make it work, they take a few Fulham defenders out of the attack.
      Fulham break on the counter attack but Hall slices the ball out for a throw in.
      Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
      68. Chelsea looked dominant in the opening exchanges of this half.
      The sending off of Felix has completely levelled the game up.
      De Cordova-Reid and Reed come off for Wilson and Cairney.
      Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
      66. The ball is played to Willian who cleverly drops the shoulder and ghosts past Chalobah.
      The Chelsea man tries to get back and win it from him but all he can do is give away a free kick in a wide position.
      Koulibaly hacks the resulting ball into the box clear.
      Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
      64. Mount whips in the corner but Fulham head clear.
      Even with ten men, Chelsea look dangerous on the attack.
      The Cottagers need to track the runners more.
      Fulham 1-1 Chelsea – Hall yellow card
      62. Hall is penalised for a clumsy challenge.
      The Blues need to be careful not to lose any more players this evening.
      Chelsea fans in the away end try to spur their team on.
      Credit: Getty
      Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
      60. Well, any momentum Chelsea had in this game has taken a serious knock with them going down to ten men.
      Lewis Hall gets down the flank and crosses but Fulham manage to clear for a corner.
      Chelsea send the big men forward once again.
      Fulham 1-1 Chelsea
      58. Welcome to the Premier League Joao.
      No arguments there it was a reckless challenge showing his studs as he caught the player halfway up the leg.
      He will miss the next three games for Chelsea now.
      Load more entries… More

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      Fifa reveal The Best award nominees with Lionel Messi in but Ronaldo SNUBBED – and a shock Premier League star included

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      LIONEL MESSI is one of 14 players nominated for Fifa’s The Best award – but Cristiano Ronaldo has not made the cut.Seven clubs are represented on the shortlist with Paris Saint-Germain boasting the most stars.
      Lionel Messi could win another award after scooping the World Cup Golden BallCredit: Getty
      Cristiano Ronaldo has not made the shortlist for the first time everCredit: PA
      Neymar and Mbappe have been nominated for the awardCredit: AP
      Four PSG players could win the award including Messi, who is amongst the frontrunners.
      He has hit form for his club this season with 13 goals and 14 assists in 20 games.
      But it is his World Cup win that could clinch The Best award for Messi, who scored six goals in seven games for Argentina in Qatar.
      Messi was recognised as the best player at the World Cup with the Golden Ball award and he could claim his second The Best Fifa award when the winner is announced on February 27.
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      The 35-year-old has only won the award once since its inception in 2016 and another win would see him equal Ronaldo’s record of two.
      The former Manchester United star has not made the shortlist of candidates for the first time ever following his dreadful start to the season.
      The 37-year-old veteran has been replaced with younger stars as Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez is surprisingly nominated for the first time.
      He also impressed in Argentina’s World Cup win and has been selected alongside City team-mates Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, who has scored 27 goals this season.
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      Real Madrid also have three players nominated following their Champions League win last year – Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr and Luka Modric.
      PSG trio Neymar, Achraf Hakimi and Kylian Mbappe are also shortlisted, with the latter another favourite for the award.
      Elsewhere, Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski and Mo Salah of Liverpool have a shot of winning.
      There is also one England player nominated – Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham. More

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      Liverpool snubbed by ‘next Erling Haaland’ as Norwegian prodigy Andreas Schjelderup joins Benfica instead in £12.5m deal

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      LIVERPOOL have reportedly missed out on a deal to sign the “next Erling Haaland”. This is because 18-year-old sensation Andreas Schjelderup has moved to Benfica.
      Andreas Schjelderup has scored 10 goals in 17 games for NordsjallandCredit: Getty
      Schjelderup, who plays for Danish side Nordsjælland, has reportedly agreed to move to Portugal for £12.5million plus 20 per cent of any future sale.
      Benfica representatives are apparently set to fly to Copenhagen to finalise the deal.
      And Fabrizio Romano has revealed the winger was the subject of interest from Liverpool.
      He indicated there were “concrete talks” between the two parties, but that ultimately Benfica was deemed to be the “best step” in his fledgling career.
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      The Norway U21 star has lit up the Danish league this season, scoring 10 goals in 17 appearances.
      The transfer will make him the second most expensive Norwegian teenager ever, after none other than Manchester City ace Haaland – who Liverpool also missed out on.
      Brentford, who have a host of Scandanavian talent, were also interested in a transfer along with clubs from Belgium, Holland, Spain and Germany, as reported by TV2.
      Jurgen Klopp’s side have already signed Cody Gakpo this January, with the Dutchman making his full debut in the controversial FA Cup tie against Wolves.
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      And despite claims there could be “investment” in January, Liverpool have failed to make any new additions, with fans and Jamie Carragher critical over not signing a new midfielder – though a £44m bid for Matheus Nunes was rejected.
      Indeed, owners FSG confirmed they were considering selling the club if the right offer came in. More