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    Galatasaray complete shock double Premier League raid… the day AFTER transfer window shut

    GALATASARAY have signed Premier League duo Serge Aurier and Carlos Vinicius.The Turkish giants completed both transfers after last week’s deadline.
    Serge Aurier has joined Galatasaray in a permanent transfer from Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
    Carlos Vinícius has joined the Turkish side on loan from FulhamCredit: Getty
    Aurier, 31, joined the club in a deal worth just £85,300 following a 16-month spell with Nottingham Forest.
    An official statement from Galatasaray read: “An agreement has been reached with professional football player Serge Alain Stephane Aurier and his club Nottingham Forest Football Club Limited regarding the transfer of the player.
    “Accordingly, a transfer fee of 100,000 euros will be paid to the football player’s former club. A contract has been signed with the football player until the end of the 2023/2024 season.
    “Accordingly, our football player will be paid a net guarantee fee of 600,000 euros and a net signing fee of 150,000 euros for the 2023/2024 season.”
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    Aurier will become a free agent this summer unless he agrees a contract extension with the Super Lig side.
    Galatasaray have also completed a loan deal for Fulham striker Carlos Vinicius.
    The 28-year-old joins the club on a temporary basis until the end of the season.
    An additional statement from Galatasaray, released just 10 minutes before Aurier’s announcement, read: “An agreement has been reached with professional football player Carlos Vinicius Alves Morais and his club Fulham Football Club Limited regarding the temporary transfer of the player for the 2023-2024 season.
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    “Accordingly, a net temporary transfer fee of 600,000 euros will be paid to the football player’s club.
    “The football player will be paid a net season wage of 600,000 euros for the 2023-2024 season.”
    Why the January 2024 Transfer Window Has Been So Quiet
    Vinicius has been limited to just two Premier League starts this season and 16 appearances across all competitions. More

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    Brentford vs Man City LIVE SCORE: Latest Premier League updates as Pep’s side look to close gap on table toppers

    MANCHESTER CITY travel to West London to take on Brentford on Monday Night Football.Pep Guardiola’s side will be hoping to close the gap on Premier League table toppers Liverpool after the Reds lost 3-1 at Arsenal on Sunday.
    Brentford have taken just three points from their last seven games and have slipped down the table since December.

    Kick off time: 8pm GMT
    TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
    Live stream: NOW/ Sky Sports app

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    Fans tell Arteta ‘get your own identity’ after Arsenal boss’ ‘petty’ celebrations following Liverpool win

    FOOTBALL fans slammed Mikel Arteta for copying Jurgen Klopp’s celebration following Arsenal’s win over Liverpool.The Gunners claimed a huge 3-1 victory at the Emirates on Sunday as they moved within two points of Klopp’s side.
    Mikel Arteta punched the air three times, much like Jurgen Klopp’s well-known celebrationCredit: Getty
    Arteta was criticised for the act by those on social mediaCredit: Getty
    But many took umbrage with Arteta’s actions after the final whistle.
    The Spaniard could be seen punching the air three times in front of the Arsenal supporters.
    This is a celebration synonymous with Liverpool boss Klopp as the German frequently performs it to the Kop at Anfield.
    And those on social media were quick to condemn Arteta for replicating it.
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    One said: “The aura is not there.”
    Another added: “Arteta don’t have his own identity, that is why he will not achieve much with Arsenal.”
    While a third replied: “Klopp could do fist pumps in an empty stadium and have more noise than this 😂.”
    And a fourth responded: “Every goal he was acting like Klopp 😭. The pettiness is unreal.”
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    Arsenal’s celebrations were also criticised by Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
    The former Reds centre-back told Gunners captain Martin Odegaard to “get down the tunnel” after he was seen taking photos in front of the fans.
    Arteta speaks out as Arsenal seal crucial win over title rivals Liverpool
    Carragher said: “Just get down the tunnel. You’ve won a game, three points.
    “They’ve been brilliant, back in the title race… get down the tunnel. “I’m serious, honestly…”
    After the game, a frustrated Klopp lambasted several of Anthony Taylor’s decisions including Ibrahima Konate’s red card.
    He told Sky Sports: “A lot of things were against of us today.
    “This referee gave me a red card against Man City for wrestling situation between Bernardo Silva and Mo Salah.
    “Today same situation with Jota but didn’t get a red card.
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    “It is unbelievable, then the of holding Havertz on Konate for the first yellow card.
    “Then Havertz goes down and the referee gives Konate a yellow card. Gabriel does the same to Nunez and no yellow card.”
    Klopp often punches the air three times in front of the KopCredit: Alamy More

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    Former Premier League star wakes up unemployed after RIPPING UP Stoke contract

    DWIGHT GAYLE has left Stoke and is currently a free agent.That is according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, who reports Gayle, 34, has terminated his contract with the Potters.
    Dwight Gayle has terminated his contract with StokeCredit: Alamy
    Gayle has struggled for minutes this season with StokeCredit: Getty
    The striker joined the Championship club in 2022 and is leaving with three goals and six assists in 50 appearances under his belt.
    The Walthamstow star fell down the pecking order this season and only managed a mere one assist in 14 appearances.
    Gayle burst onto the scene in 2013 when he became Crystal Palace’s record signing for £4.5million having impressed with Peterborough.
    The centre-forward went on to amass a total of 25 goals and three assists in 74 appearances during his three-year stint at Palace.
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    That led to a move to Newcastle, who saw him as the club’s next big star during a trying time.
    Gayle moved to St James’ Park for £10m and helped fire the Magpies back to the Premier League with a stellar return of 23 goals in 32 games in the Championship.
    But he couldn’t hold down a place or find consistent form in the Prem for the Toon.
    And so he was loaned out to West Brom for the 2018-19 season and was top goalscorer during their run to the play-offs.
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    Gayle managed a total of 24 goals and eight assists in 41 appearances for the Baggies.
    After three more unspectacular seasons on Tyneside he returned to the Championship with Stoke in 2022.
    The Biggest January Flop Signings In Premier League History
    Gayle could entice both Rangers and Celtic but he would still likely command a fair wage. More

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    Arsenal fans say ‘good news on a Monday morning’ as key defender signs new long-term contract

    TAKEHIRO TOMIYASU is set to sign a new long-term contract with Arsenal.According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the defender has already agreed terms with the Gunners.
    Takehiro Tomiyasu is set to sign a new Arsenal contractCredit: Getty
    Mikel Arteta was reportedly eager to tie him down to a new deal.
    Tomiyasu is the latest star to commit his future to Arsenal, following the likes of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba.
    Arsenal fans were thrilled to wake up to news of the defender’s contract extension on Monday morning, with one person tweeting: “Mr irreplaceable is here to stay. COYG.”
    Another added: “Good news on a Monday morning.”
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    A third wrote: “A big part of our squad when fully fit. Great move by Arsenal to extend his deal.”
    While a fourth commented: “What a start to the day.”
    Tomiyasu joined Arsenal in a £20million transfer from Bologna in 2021 and has since made 73 first team appearances.
    Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Napoli expressed an interest in signing the defender in January, but Arteta refused to let him leave.
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    The Gunners are also in talks with Ben White over a new deal.
    Arteta wants to keep the nucleus of his squad together until 2027 and beyond. More

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    The five-word phrase used by Premier League footballers revealed to be ‘biggest load of bulls***’ by Micah Richards

    MICAH RICHARDS claims a five-word phrase used by Premier League footballers is the “biggest load of bulls***.”The former Man City and England star unloaded amid this season’s thrilling relegation race.
    Micah Richards has shot down a phrase used by top-flight footballersCredit: Getty
    Everton, Burnley and Sheffield United are all deep in the drop zone.
    While the likes of Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Luton are all battling to stay above board.
    There were some big results at the weekend as Burnley and Luton secured vital points.
    Everton and Forest also bagged draws as the Blades were hammered 5-0 at home by Aston Villa.
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    And Richards reckons the race to stay up has never been hotter.
    In doing so, he shot down a phrase used by many footballers who are battling for top-flight survival.
    Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards described the phrase “one game at a time” as the “biggest load of bulls***” uttered by those in the beautiful game.
    As a former player himself, Richards revealed that every detail in football is planned out well in advance.
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    And he made his feelings perfectly clear to fellow podcast stars Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer.
    Richards said: “What’s that quote? ‘One game at a time’?
    Fans wish CBS Sports was shown in UK as they ‘cry real tears’ at segment savaging Micah Richards
    “It’s the biggest load of bulls***, we’re looking at absolutely everything!
    “We’re planning who’s going to be playing when, what fixture we can get points from.
    “Get a draw there, who’s going to be fit here, everything to the tee is detailed!”
    But Lineker felt the phrase was fair, adding: “Of course it is, but what else are they going to say? 
    “It’s kind of true because you have no alternative, you can’t play two games at once.” More

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    Carragher in war of words with ex-Premier League star Fjortoft over Odegaard’s Arsenal celebrations against Liverpool

    JAMIE CARRAGHER was embroiled in a war of words with ex-Premier League star Jan Aage Fjortoft over Martin Odegaard’s celebration.Odegaard’s Arsenal blew the title race wide open by helping the Gunners to a 3-1 win over Liverpool at the Emirates.
    Martin Odegaard took the club photographer’s cameraCredit: Rex
    Jamie Carragher aimed a dig at OdegaardCredit: Rex
    But Jan Aage Fjortoft hit back at OdegaardCredit: Getty
    And he celebrated by taking the camera off club photographer Stuart MacFarlane to snap a shot of his own.
    Liverpool legend Carragher reacted by using an iconic Neil Warnock dressing room quote.
    He posted on X, formerly Twitter: “By all means enjoy it, but enjoy it by being disciplined!”
    Fjortoft, formerly of Middlesbrough and Sheffield United, responded: “Come on @Carra23 Let Martin show his passion!
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    “Also on the pitch. Let him have this moment with his mates at @Arsenal like @Stuart_PhotoAFC.
    “Nothing to do with being disciplined or not. Football could do with more people express their love for the game
    “I know you deep inside agree with me, mate.”
    Carragher hit back: “Jan it’s a joke about a Neil Warnock quote, FFS!
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    “I like the way you’ve tagged them all in including the camera man so you get the retweets & likes you want.
    “I thought the camera stuff was a bit OTT, a bit like your claim that Mo Salah would leave Liverpool!”
    Fjortoft then responded: “Yes, Jamie! I tagged in the Arsenal- photographer Stuart MacFarlane, cause he has been at Arsenal since 1991.
    “And he deserves all the praise – I guess that’s the same Arsenal- captain Martin Ø thought after their win.
    “In terms of your last line… only a thief sees who is stealing.”
    Warnock infamously hit his Sheffield United players with the disciplined team talk before an FA Cup clash against Arsenal.
    And he also joined in the banter with Carragher, telling him: “Love listening to your opinions Carra, but get your own catchphrase!” More

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    Virgil van Dijk says he was to blame and NOT Alisson for ‘turning point’ that saw Liverpool crash to Arsenal defeat

    VIRGIL VAN DIJK took the blame for a shocking defensive cock-up as  Arsenal blew the title race wide open.Gabriel Martinelli capitalised on a calamitous mix-up between Liverpool skipper Van Dijk and keeper Alisson to fire the Gunners 2-1 ahead at the Emirates.
    Curtis Jones, left, reflects with Virgil van Dijk and keeper Alisson Becker after the howler that let in Gabriel Martinelli to restore Arsenal’s leadCredit: PA

    Martinelli, left, had a simple chance to make it 2-1 in the Gunners’ 3-1 victory after confusion between Liverpool duo Alisson and Van DijkCredit: PA
    Alisson also blundered when substitute Leandro Trossard put the ball through his legs for Arsenal’s third — leaving Mikel Arteta’s men two points behind Liverpool at the summit.
    Champions Manchester City,  who travel to Brentford on Monday night, will go top if they win their two games in hand.
    And Van Dijk said after Sunday’s 3-1 loss: “It’s a very tough day. I  take full responsibility for Martinelli’s goal as that was a turning point in the match and I should have done better.
    “It’s a split decision and I chose to let the ball bounce, try and put my body in between, Alisson touched me a little bit and that’s why he couldn’t clear it properly.
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    “It hurts and it hurts for the rest of the team — but especially for me. It was a big turning point.
    “These things have not happened too many times in my career but I will recover  as I learn from things that don’t go well.”
    Liverpool, reduced to ten men with an 88th-minute red for Ibrahima Konate, suffered just their second league defeat this season.
    Reds’ boss Jurgen Klopp, who is quitting at the end of this season, refused  to criticise Van Dijk and Alisson.
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    He said: “Our main guys had a misunderstanding. They’re human beings.”
    Bukayo Saka opened the scoring before Gabriel’s bizarre own goal following an error by William Saliba saw Liverpool level on the stroke of half-time.
    But the Reds’  mistakes — with pundit Roy Keane saying the  defending was like  a ‘pub team’ —   ended their 21-match domestic unbeaten run.
    Klopp added: “We would have loved to win here but we were not good enough.
    “But today, nobody celebrates as champions and nobody is relegated. We have time to create our own destiny.
    “At the end  I didn’t think for a second about the number of games left for City. I am not nervous. We expect them always to win their games.”
    Arsenal have won three Prem games on the bounce, lifting them  into second, and Arteta hailed his players for a season-defining triumph.
    Asked if they now have the mentality to win the title, Arteta said: “Absolutely. We have shown that today against the most  in-form team in Europe.
    “To be the best and have the best mentality, you have to do it every three days. That is the challenge that we have.
    “It was a huge game that was going to  dictate where we  are and where we’re going to be.”
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    And midfielder Declan Rice added: “We knew the importance of the game.
    “We’ve got ourselves back on track.”
    🗣️ “I do believe Arsenal can go all the way” 🗣️ “Don’t forget about Pep, Pep’s the man!”The Super Sunday panel debate whether Arsenal have enough to go up against Manchester City for the title 🤔 pic.twitter.com/ZYuAdY5Tk4— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 4, 2024 More