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      Kasper Schmeichel, 37, ‘lined up for Premier League return’ with Leicester rivals as title winner has low buy-out clause

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      KASPER SCHMEICHEL has been lined-up for a shock Premier League return with one of his former club’s biggest rivals.The goalkeeper, who won the Premier League and FA Cup at Leicester City, ended his highly-successful 11-year spell with the Foxes in 2022 to join French side Nice.
      Anderlecht’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel could be coming back to the PremCredit: AFP
      But he left them after just one season to sign a 12-month contract for Belgian outfit Anderlecht after his deal in Ligue 1 was terminated.
      Now Schmeichel, whose father Peter earned legendary status playing for Manchester United, could be heading back to England in a shock move.
      That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that “he has emerged as a potential option for Nottingham Forest if they are able to sign a goalkeeper in January”.
      They state that the 37-year-old “would be open to returning” to our top-flight, despite Forest being East Midlands rivals to Leicester.
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      This update also claims that there “is a relatively low buy-out clause in his contract”.
      And it also adds that “initial discussions between representatives have taken place”. 
      Forest were ready to finish the campaign with Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos as their two senior goalkeepers.
      However, the recent form of USA international Turner has caused some concerns for new boss Nuno Espirito Santo. 
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      But they must overcome a number of obstacles before they can bring in any new additions.
      Forest are waiting to discover what punishment, which could be a points deduction, they receive after being charged with breaking Premier League spending rules.
      They have signed 43 players since securing promotion 18 months ago and also now they must clear some out before others are brought in.
      They have cancelled Andrey Santos’ season-long loan from Chelsea this month and agreed a £2.6m fee with Flamengo to sell them Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Scarpa.  More

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      Jamie Carragher names his frontrunner to be next Liverpool manager after Jurgen Klopp reveals his plans to quit

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER has tipped a former Liverpool team-mate to be the ideal man to replace Jurgen Klopp.The football world was shocked yesterday when the German, 56, dropped the bombshell that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
      Jurgen Klopp rocked Liverpool by announcing his departure on FridayCredit: Rex
      Xabi Alonso played alongside Jamie Carragher for five years at LiverpoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Klopp transformed Liverpool back into one of Europe’s most feared teams since taking charge in October 2015 and will lovingly be remembered as the man who ended their 30-year title drought.
      The ex-Dortmund boss also led the Reds to three Champions League finals – tasting success in 2019.
      Klopp informed Liverpool chiefs of his decision to step down last NOVEMBER but players and staff only learned of his exit yesterday.
      And the Anfield club’s chief executive Billy Hogan has confirmed that the process to find a replacement will start immediately.
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      Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, 42, is the favourite with bookmakers to become their new boss.
      The Spaniard is currently in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, who are top of the Bundesliga, and his past links with the Kop make him an obvious choice.
      Alonso spent five years at Liverpool and won the FA Cup and Champions League playing alongside Carragher.
      Now his work in Germany has left his former team-mate convinced that he has what it takes to take over the top job at Anfield.
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      Carragher told Sky Sports: “We are losing one of the greatest managers in world football, one of the greatest managers Liverpool have ever had and it is a sad day, no doubt.
      “But in the same breath, we’ve got to be looking forward to the new man coming in, get behind him and support him. Bill Shankly left, Bob Paisley left, Kenny Dalglish left and Liverpool moves on.
      “You can’t get away from Xabi Alonso because he’s so respected at Liverpool already for what he did as a player – he’s a Champions League winner, held himself with real class, he’s a World Cup winner.
      “Right now, the job he’s done at Bayer Leverkusen, he looks like the brightest young thing in European football. It certainly makes him the front-runner.”
      Alonso was asked directly about the Liverpool job on Friday, to which he replied: “Speculation is normal, my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen.
      “I am very happy at Leverkusen with my players at the moment. [It was a] big surprise in Liverpool, of course — for what Jurgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration. “I am really happy here. I am enjoying my work here. I am feeling each day and each game is a challenge. I am on a beautiful journey in Leverkusen. The next one, I don’t know.
      “I am thinking about where I am right now. I am in a great place and I am enjoying. Saturday is what really matters. I don’t really care what is going to happen in the future right now.”
      Xabi Alonso has been impressing in the dug-out for Bayer LeverkusenCredit: AFP
      Carragher told Sky Sports that he believes the Spaniard is the best man for the jobCredit: Sky Sports More

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      Forgotten Chelsea wonderkid dubbed ‘most gifted player of his generation’ set for transfer move to 14th club

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      FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Gael Kakuta, who was once described as “the most gifted player of his generation,” is set to join the 14th club of his career.Kakuta, 32, is attracting interest from LaLiga side Granada after starring for DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations, according to French Football Weekly.
      Gael Kakuta was tipped to be one of the most important players of his generationCredit: Graham Hughes – The Times
      Kakuta is currently starring for DR Congo at AfconCredit: Reuters
      Kakuta signed for Chelsea from Lens as a 16-year-old in 2007 under highly controversial circumstances.
      Chelsea’s scout at the time, Guy Hillion, encouraged Chelsea to sign the youngster after describing him as “the most gifted player of his generation”, and he was drafted into The Blues’ Cobham academy set-up.
      Kakuta starred while in the Chelsea academy, winning Academy Player of The Year in his maiden season at the club.
      He also drew praise from Michael Ballack, who played with Kakuta in Chelsea’s reserves while recovering from an injury.
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      He told journalists at the time: “Go see the French lad, he’s a star”
      But in 2009, when Kakuta was promoted to the Chelsea first team, Fifa investigated the transfer that brought him to West London in 2007.
      It was found that Chelsea had illegally encouraged the youngster to break his contract with Lens and The Blues’ were slapped with a two window transfer ban.
      Kakuta was also banned from football for four months and slapped with a £665,000 fine, hardly an ideal start to his Chelsea career.
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      Kakuta currently plays for Amiens in Ligue 2Credit: AFP or licensors
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      Those prosecutions were eventually overturned after Chelsea appealed the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
      To make matters worse, Kakuta suffered a double leg break while playing for the Chelsea reserves that year.
      The midfielder would go on to make 16 appearances for The Blues’ first team between 2009 and 2015 but his career at The Bridge was dominated by loan spells.
      Kakuta went on loan six times before eventually leaving for Sevilla in 2015.
      The Congolese midfielder then underwent a journeyman career which saw him play in the doomed Chinese Super League at one point between 2016 and 2018.
      Now in his 30s, the midfielder finally appears to be settled now he’s an established international, and Granada see him as an important signing as they look to stave off LaLiga relegation.
      He switched his allegiance from the French national team to represent DR Congo in 2017 and has represented his country 19 times.
      DR Congo take on Egypt tomorrow at 8pm in the Afcon round of 16. More

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      Man Utd ‘had £85.5m bid for Milinkovic-Savic rejected by Lazio’ before midfielder left for just £34m to Saudi Arabia

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      MANCHESTER UNITED had an £85.5million bid for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic rejected by Lazio, it has been revealed. The midfielder had long been on United’s radar but in the summer he left Italy for the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Hilal for £34m.
      Sergej Milinkovic-Savic now plays for Al HilalCredit: Getty
      Former Lazio sporting director Igli Tare has now spoken out to confirm United and AC Milan both bid for Milinkovic-Savic.
      But he denied that the player was let go by the Serie A giants.
      He told TV Play: “Many things have been said about Milinkovic-Savic that are not true, from losing him as a free agent to the idea he didn’t want to stay.
      “The only true thing is that President Claudio Lotito rejected a very important offer, worth over €100m (£85.5m), from Milan and Manchester United.
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      “I don’t want to get into why the sale did not go through, as Lotito wanted to maintain a strong squad and keep the promises he had made to the coach.
      “Let us not forget that the season which was interrupted by COVID, Lazio were on the verge of winning the Scudetto.”
      Milinkovic-Savic, 28, has nine goals in his 22 appearances for Al-Hilal, where plays alongside Neymar and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
      But recent reports link Milinkovic-Savic with an exit from Saudi already.
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      According to Italian outlet, Il Messaggero, the Serbian told his former Lazio team-mates that he would “like to return” to the club.
      It would add him to a growing list of players who want to make their way back to Europe.
      SunSport reported in October how a number of stars were unhappy after leaving European football, and now a mass of this talent want out.
      England international Jordan Henderson was one such star.
      Henderson, 33, sealed a transfer to Ajax just six months after signing a bumper £700,000-a-week contract for Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool.
      Meanwhile, Karim Benzema is said to have left Saudi chiefs furious after reportedly arriving 17 DAYS late for Al-Ittihad training.
      Elsewhere, Jota has been linked with a transfer to the Premier League after he was not registered in his sides squad. More

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      West Ham ‘in negotiations with Spanish side to sell out-of-favour midfielder for £10.25m’ after Phillips’ arrival

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      WEST HAM star Pablo Fornals is allegedly on the verge of joining Real Betis.The 27-year-old Spanish international midfielder arrived at the Hammers from Villarreal back in 2019.
      Pablo Fornals looks set to leave West Ham this weekCredit: Rex
      Since then he has made over 150 appearances in the Premier League and helped them to Europa Conference League success last term.
      But the arrival of Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City has added more competition for match action in midfield.
      Fornals has only started four times in the top-flight already this term and has failed to score in all competitions.
      And, with just six months remaining on his contract, Fornals is free to talk to clubs from abroad regarding a potential free transfer in the summer.
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      TEAMtalk claimed yesterday that Fornals has agreed personal terms with Betis over a switch to LaLiga.
      They are managed by ex-West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, the man who brought him to the London Stadium five years ago.
      However, Fornals does not look like he will have to wait until the end of the season to seal the return to his homeland.
      Mundo Deportivo claims that both West Ham and Betis are now in talks over a January transfer.
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      The deadline closes this Thursday and they are looking to complete a £10.25m transfer before then.
      Fornals played 20 times under Pellegrini after signing for him at West Ham, scoring twice and producing three assists. More

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      Gary Neville trolls Jamie Carragher over Jurgen Klopp quitting Liverpool as fans hail ex-Man Utd star’s ‘banter’

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      GARY NEVILLE could not resist poking fun at Jamie Carragher and Liverpool after the shock news regarding Jurgen Klopp.The football world was shocked on Friday when the German, 56, announced that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
      Jurgen Klopp announced his impending departure from Liverpool on FridayCredit: PA
      Man Utd legend Gary Neville couldn’t resist poking fun at Jamie Carragher and the RedsCredit: Instagram
      Klopp transformed Liverpool back into one of Europe’s most feared outfits since he took charge in October 2015 and has won everything.
      The Kop icon will forever be lovingly remembered as the man who ended their 30-year title drought.
      And he also led the Reds to three Champions League finals,- tasting success in 2019.
      Klopp says he informed Liverpool chiefs of his decision to step down last NOVEMBER but players and staff only learned of his exit yesterday.
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      And he revealed that there were “tears” when he told his squad as the countdown officially starts to the end of his reign.
      While Liverpool fans were struggling to contain their emotions – with one even stating that he would rather his wife left him than Klopp quit Anfield – Manchester United fans declared it was the best news ever.
      And legendary Red Devils defender Neville could not resist making a slight jibe towards the Reds and his Liverpool legend Sky Sports co-pundit Carragher with a three-word message.
      Neville posted a photo of himself and Carragher smiling, seemingly on a previous night out somewhere.
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      And he decided to caption it with the words: “Klopp’s leaving do”.
      Fans instantly hit back at his wind-up, but not everybody was aggressive.
      One wrote: “Let’s be honest, you gotta love the banter Neville’s got.”
      Another wrote: “That’s f***ing fantastic banter Gary.”
      A third said: “He’s done you here Jamie ahaha.”
      While a fourth declared: “Nevs crack is brilliant.”
      Meanwhile, Carragher reacted to the bombshell yesterday by saying: “This news was always going to be a body blow to the club whenever it came.
      “I just thought it would be another few years away.
      “What a manager, what a man, let’s go out with a bang Jurgen!”
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      The Reds are currently five points clear at the top of the Premier League, they will face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup Final next month, and they are also still in both the FA Cup and Europa League. More

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      Top 10 dirtiest games in Premier League history revealed with feisty Arsenal vs Tottenham clash only SEVENTH

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      THE Premier League showcases the best of the beautiful game – but sometimes it turns ugly.From matches with huge brawls to derbies with 11 cards shown, referees have had to deal with it all.
      Brentford’s clash with Aston Villa this season saw ten yellows and two redsCredit: Alamy
      Two Merseyside derbies make the top tenCredit: Alamy
      Statisticians at Onlinecasinos365 have crunched the numbers on bookings, second yellows and red cards to find the ten dirtiest top-flight games.
      And with the addition of VAR and officials clamping down on player behaviour, many of the matches come from this season.
      10. 1999: Liverpool 0-1 Everton
      The Merseyside derby is always a ferocious encounter and the 1999 clash at Anfield saw three red cards.
      Everton star Francis Jeffers and Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld ended up fighting each other, with both dismissed.
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      Then at the end of the game a reckless tackle by Steven Gerrard kick-started a second brawl as the Reds legend was sent off.
      9. 2004: West Brom 1-1 Fulham
      The famously feisty match was refereed by a young Mike Dean.
      An off the ball incident saw Papa Bouba Diop sent for an early bath and things erupted again when Luis Boa Morte was fouled while through on goal.
      It led to Andy Cole and Neil Clement throwing punches.
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      West Ham once got three reds in one game
      8. 2023: Wolves 2-4 Leeds
      A thriller at Molinuex saw Leeds secure a huge three points in their battle for survival.
      The game was littered with bookings for both sides as Wolves duo Jonny Otto Castro and Matheus Nunes were given their marching orders.
      7. 1999: Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal
      Arsenal lost their tempers against bitter rivals Spurs with Freddie Ljungberg sent off for violent conduct.
      And then Martin Keown was given a second yellow for a horror tackle.
      There was also a fight at the end of the game with three players from each team getting booked.
      Martin Keown was sent off for a terrible tackleCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      6. 2006: Liverpool 3-1 Everton
      This iconic derby saw Rafa Benitez’s side beat David Moyes’ thanks to goals from Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell.
      A passionate Gerrard was given two yellows for tough tackles and Andy van der Meijde was given a straight red for an elbow on Xabi Alonso.
      5. 2023: Man City 2-0 Nottingham Forest
      It may have been a routine win for Man City but this match makes the top five in the rankings after it kicked off when Rodri strangled Morgan Gibbs-White.
      Ref Anthony Taylor dished out 11 yellows.
      Rodri was sent off for strangling Morgan Gibbs-WhiteCredit: Premier League
      4. 1999: West Ham 1-5 Leeds
      The Hammers imploded against Leeds as they went down to eight-men in this Premier League classic.
      Ian Wright was sent off and refused to leave the pitch, having to be held back by his team-mates as he tried to confront the ref.
      Then goalkeeper Shaka Hislop was given his marching orders for fouling Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the box.
      And things were completed by a frustrated Steve Lomas crossing the line with a poor challenge.
      3. 2011: QPR 1-0 Chelsea
      The West London derby saw Chelsea lose their cool, receiving two reds and seven yellows.
      Jose Bosingwa was sent off for deliberately chopping down Shaun Wright-Phillips as he was about to score then Didier Drogba got dismissed for terrible tackle on Adel Taarabt.
      John Terry, David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic, Ashley Cole, John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Raul Meireles were booked.
      As were QPR’s Shaun Derry and Joey Barton to add to the chaos.
      Didier Drogba injured Adel Taarabt with his late lungeCredit: EPA
      2. 2023: Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool
      This game is best remembered for the Luis Diaz goal that VAR accidentally chalked off for offside.
      But it was also a feisty one with Curtis Jones sent off for a bad challenge before Diogo Jota got two bookings.
      Ten yellows were also handed out in a frantic encounter.
      VAR sent off Curtis Jones for a high tackle
      1. 2023: Brentford 1-2 Aston Villa
      Multiple brawls, ten yellow cards and two straight reds – this match deservedly takes top spot.
      The brutality started with Ben Mee sent off after a VAR check for a shocking tackle.
      A mass fight then begun after Ollie Watkins scored against his former club and celebrated in front of his old fans.
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      Brentford took exception and a melee erupted in the goal.
      Minutes later Neal Maupay clashed with Emi Martinez and it kicked off the another scuffle with Boubacar Kamara red carded for a headbutt.
      There were two mass brawls in the fixtureCredit: AFP
      Unai Emery sprinted on to the pitch to calm his playersCredit: PA More

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      Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s shock exit at end of season after Man City beat Tottenham

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      PEP GUARDIOLA paid tribute to his greatest rival Jurgen Klopp – and claimed he will sleep better next season once the German has stepped down at Liverpool.Klopp shocked the football world on Friday by announcing he will quit the Reds at the end of the campaign after nine trophy-laden years.
      Pep Guardiola spoke at length about his long rivalry with Jurgen Klopp
      Klopp and Guardiola duelled in the Bundesliga and now in the PremCredit: Getty
      For much of that time he has gone head to head with Guardiola’s Manchester City side in the greatest Premier League battle of the modern era.
      “Of course I will miss him. It was a shock, like it was for everyone. 
      “We will lose something .We cannot define our period here without him, without Liverpool. It’s impossible.
      “He has been the best rival I have ever had in my life.
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      “In Dortmund when I was in Bayern, then here. I think the Premier League are going to miss him, the charisma, the personality and especially the way his teams play.
      “Of course I wish him all the best. 
      “He will not admit it, but he will be back, I know it. Maybe in ten years time, I don’t know.
      “He said carefully he needs to charge his energy. With his personality, with his energy, he will be back, national team, another team, I don’t know.
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      “I think football needs personalities and managers like him.”
      But Guardiola hinted he would not be following Klopp’s lead and stepping down to re-energise. 
      The former Barcelona chief said: “I’m fine. I still have one more year, I want to do it and maybe extend. So I’m fine.” More