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    Chelsea ‘ahead of everyone’ in Rafael Leao transfer race, but AC Milan ace ‘will not be sold for less than £87m’

    CHELSEA are leading the race to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao, according to reports.Leao is being monitored by a number of top clubs as he enjoys yet another fantastic season in Serie A.
    Chelsea may have to break the bank to sign Rafael Leao but are winning the race for himCredit: Splash
    Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera report that Chelsea are “ahead of everyone” in the battle for the winger’s signature.
    But the 23-year-old won’t come cheap with AC Milan not willing to accept any bid under £87million.
    The Portuguese international’s contract expires in 2024 with the Italian giants keen to tie him down to a new long-term contract.
    Reports suggest that there was plenty of bids for Leao in the summer, with at least one from Chelsea, but a deal didn’t materialise.
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    He has been on fire for the Rossoneri this season scoring four times and assisting a further seven in nine Serie A and Champions League matches.
    This continues his excellent form from last season where he helped Stefano Pioli’s side win the Serie A title with 11 goals and ten assists in the league.
    Leao will have the chance to impress his potential new club this week as AC Milan travel to Stamford Bridge for a Champions League group stage game.
    The tie is a must win match for the West Londoners claims Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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    Chelsea seem to already have a deal wrapped up for RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku as Todd Boehly appears ready to splash the cash yet again.
    Manager Graham Potter is reportedly set to overhaul the squad with the Blues rumoured to be keen on Gabriel Martinelli and Dusan Vlahovic too.
    There are doubts over the futures of wingers Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech potentially opening up room for the signing of Leao. More

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    Chelsea ‘join Arsenal in Dusan Vlahovic transfer race as Juventus win just three of first eight games’

    CHELSEA have reportedly joined Dusan Vlahovic’s growing list of suitors. Arsenal are long-term admirers of the prolific 6ft 3in Serbia striker and may now face competition from their London rivals.
    Dusan Vlahovic already has five goals and an assist for Juventus this seasonCredit: AFP
    The 22-year-old is thought to have snubbed the Gunners by joining Juventus from Fiorentina for £66million in January.
    And despite an underwhelming start to the season for the Old Lady in which they have won just three of their first eight Serie A games, Vlahovic has continued to build his growing reputation.
    The star averages just about a goal-every-other-game for club and country.
    He has 14 in 30 games for Juve, a total which includes five goals and an assist from seven outings in this campaign.
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    Now Graham Potter’s Blues might go for him as they continue to look for an option to fill the Romelu Lukaku-shaped hole in their side left by the big Belgium striker’s return on loan to Inter Milan.
    Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen, according to Il Bianconero.
    Last month, it was reported the Gunners are lining up a fresh bid for the star in January.
    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was said to be pushing the club’s board to splash out more than £100m to land Vlahovic and his Juve midfield team-mate Fabio Miretti.
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    And with the Italian giants seven points off the pace in Serie A, and Arsenal top of the Prem, the Perm giants will be hoping they will prove an attractive proposition in the new year.
    Vlahovic made his name as the first player in Fiorentina’s history to score more than 30 Serie A goals in one season.
    He also has eight goals in 16 games for his country. More

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    Barcelona’s unrecognisable XI from last visit to Inter Milan three years ago, with NO players remaining in Xavi’s squad

    BARCELONA travel to Inter Milan in a blockbuster Champions League clash on Tuesday night.The Catalan giants have kicked off their European campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich and a 5-1 win over Viktoria Plzen.
    Griezmann is still contracted to Barcelona but on loan at Atletico MadridCredit: AFP
    How Barcelona lined up the last time they faced Inter Milan at the San Siro
    Rakitic left Barcelona for Sevilla at the end of the 2019/20 campaignCredit: Reuters
    Inter have also lost to Bayern and beaten Plzen, so the clash at the San Siro promises to be a pivotal one when it comes to both sides’ Champions League hopes.
    It is three years since these two European giants faced off, with Barcelona going through a huge squad rejuvenation in that time.
    Despite their financial crisis, players have continued to move in and out of the Nou Camp at a frightening pace.
    And SunSport have identified that ALL 11 players who started away at Inter Milan in December 2019 are no longer at the club.
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    In goal was Brazilian keeper Neto – who is now plying his trade at Bournemouth.
    The back three consisted of Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo.
    Todibo joined Nice last year, while Umtiti and Lenglet are out on loan at Lecce and Tottenham respectively.
    Left wingback Junior Firpo is now at Leeds, while right wingback Moussa Wague joined Croatian side Gorica in the summer.
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    Ivan Rakitic is now at Sevilla after leaving Barcelona in 2020.
    Arturo Vidal and Carles Alena are also no longer with the Spanish giants following transfers to Flamengo and Getafe.
    Then up front, Barcelona played the pair of Antoine Griezmann and Carles Perez.
    Griezmann has since gone back to Atletico Madrid on loan, while Perez joined Celta Vigo, before being loaned to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
    That Barcelona team did get the job done in 2019 as they beat Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro.
    In fact, Inter have not beaten Barca in any of their previous five meetings – a run which stretches back to the 2009/10 Champions League semi-finals.
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    On that occasion, Inter won the first leg 3-1 before losing the return fixture 1-0 – a result which was enough to see them progress through to the final.
    The Italian giants then went on to beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final and lift the trophy for a third time. More

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    How Zlatan Ibrahimovic met stunning girlfriend Helena Seger in furious row over AC Milan star’s badly parked Ferrari

    AC MILAN star Zlatan Ibrahimovic met his long-term partner when she confronted him about his bad parking.Helena Seger, 52, has been with the Swedish legend for two decades and she has revealed the unusual way they met.
    Helena Seger has been with Zlatan Ibrahimovic for 20 yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Seger met Ibrahimovic due to him double parking his sports carCredit: AFP
    The couple have two kidsCredit: Getty
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a big fan of supercarsCredit: Getty
    The model claims she furiously went over to Ibrahimovic, 41, to tell him to move his car that was blocking her vehicle in and it was love at first sight.
    She told Elle magazine: “He had parked his Ferrari badly in a car park in Malmo. He had done so in a way that prevented my Mercedes from coming out.
    “Quite gruffly, I told him to move it right away. And yes, he saw something that he liked.”
    Both her and the former Manchester United star are known for their sometimes fiery personality and dedication to their profession.
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    Seger said: “It’s not easy to live with him, but I admit it, it isn’t with myself either.
    “I think I like Zlatan because I stand up to him, I too have an important background and I have built my career with a lot of sacrifice.”
    The couple have two sons – Maximilian, 16, and Vincent, 14 – but despite Ibrahimovic and Seger being together since 2002 they are not married.
    She lifted the lid on why they haven’t tied the knot: “Getting married could disturb my sense of independence.
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    “I don’t want to be labelled simply as the wife of a player, or the winner of a beauty contest.
    “I think people don’t know how much I have studied, worked and fought.”
    Seger is a model and also manages her business portfolio with reports suggesting she is in charge of a real estate company in Italy.
    Ibrahimovic won the Serie A title last season with AC Milan but he is yet to feature this campaign as he is out with a bad knee injury.
    There has been claims it could force him into retirement but the 14-time league winner dismissed speculation saying: “I am arrogant, zero fear. I’m well, I’m working every day to come back.
    “You will surely see it. When I come back, I will be heard, you can count on it. I will do it with violence.”
    Helena Seager and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have chosen not to get marriedCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu sets incredible unwanted Serie A record during Spezia’s clash at Lazio

    CHELSEA ace Ethan Ampadu broke the history books for the wrong reason while out on loan at Spezia. The Welshman set a new all-time Serie A record during his side’s 4-0 defeat to Lazio.
    Ethan Ampadu had a nightmare game versus LazioCredit: Getty
    He gave away the fastest penalty in the league’s history bringing down Ciro Immobile after just 39 seconds.
    Ampadu dived in to bring down the Italian striker – but at least saw Immobile miss his spot kick.
    The on-loan Blue was booked for the foul and then subbed off after 66 minutes.
    The penalty broke the record for earliest ever given – surpassing the 42 seconds it took for Napoli hero Marek Hamsik to be fouled by AC Milan’s Mattia De Sciglio in 2015.
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    Immobile’s day improved despite the missed penalty as Lazio cruised to victory rising to third in the league table – helped by an inspired Sergej Milinkovic-Savic performance as he netted twice.
    Ampadu, 22, is on loan at Spezia, who narrowly avoided relegation last season.
    He also spent the previous campaign with Venezia as they finished bottom of Serie A in 2021/22.
    Ampadu has had a difficult time in Italy having played 33 times for the two clubs picking up 13 yellow cards and two reds in that period.
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    The versatile player can feature at centre-back, defensive midfield and even right-back on occasion.
    He will be hoping to make the Wales squad for the World Cup later this year having won 37 caps for his country.
    Ampadu has been on the books of Chelsea since 2017 and he has played 12 times for the Blues.
    Before his spells in Italy he spent time on loan at RB Leipzig and Sheffield United. More

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    Jose Mourinho posts hilarious snaps from Roma bus as banned boss watches win over Inter on TV in the San Siro car park

    JOSE MOURINHO is the gift that keeps on giving.The Portuguese gaffer has documented his day watching Roma play against Inter Milan from the team team BUS outside the San Siro.
    Jose Mourinho watched Roma’s clash with his former side Inter Milan from the team busCredit: https://www.instagram.com/josemourinho/?hl=en
    Mourinho was serving a touchline ban after being sent off in the defeat to Atalanta earlier this monthCredit: https://www.instagram.com/josemourinho/?hl=en
    Jose Mourinho later snuck into the away team dressing room to celebrateCredit: https://www.instagram.com/paulodybala/?hl=en
    At one point Mourinho ventured outside the bus to pester his staffCredit: https://www.instagram.com/josemourinho/?hl=en
    Mourinho was sent off for storming onto the pitch in the 1-0 defeat to Atalanta last time out, meaning he had to serve a touchline ban for Saturday’s game.
    That meant the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss had no choice but to put his feet up and watch the action unfold from the team bus.
    And, in true Mourinho style, the 59-year-old kept fans updated on Roma’s 2-1 comeback win with a selection of hilarious posts.
    Federico Dimarco put the home side ahead, but goals from Paulo Dybala and ex-Manchester United man Chris Smalling have Mourinho and Co a valuable three points.
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    The manager uploaded a video of himself exhaling in frustration at having to watch on from the car park.
    Clearly being trapped on the coach was too much for him, as Mourinho hilariously said in a later video: “I’m going to die here.”
    At one point he ventured outside to pester staff and show fans his surroundings – with loads of kit laid out on the side of the road next to the bus.
    Despite being unable to bark instructions from the side of the pitch, he made sure to show his appreciation for his team.
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    Mourinho said in Italian while watching on: “Well done guys, great football.”
    The Roma boss finished off his ‘day in the life’ video with a post of himself celebrating madly alongside his bus drivers.
    Although it appears the Roma gaffer did manage to sneak his way into the dressing room to join in the celebrations.
    Roma goal scorer Dybala posted a picture on Instagram from inside the away changing room after the game – with Mourinho cheekily featuring in the snap.
    Chris Smalling scored the winner for Mourinho’s sideCredit: AP More

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    Chelsea exile Romelu Lukaku shows off ripped physique and six-pack as he poses in Calvin Klein underwear

    CHELSEA exile Romelu Lukaku showed off his toned physique as he modelled for Calvin Klein. The Inter Milan striker left Stamford Bridge on loan in the summer after a frustrating year back in the Premier League.
    Lukaku looked in good shape as he posed for Calvin KleinCredit: Instagram / @calvinklein
    The striker has previously been criticised for being out of shapeCredit: Instagram / @calvinklein
    While injury has hampered him back in Italy, he started the season looking back to his best.
    And the photoshoot with Calvin Klein will lift hopes of Inter fans that he is ready to rumble on his return.
    The 29-year-old looked ripped on the fashion brand’s Instagram story as he posed in their micro stretch underwear.
    The black briefs are the only clothing on show as Lukaku showed off his strapping stature and six-pack.
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    Lukaku becomes just the latest football superstar to model the Calvin Klein briefs, with Tottenham ace Son Heung-min also stripping off for the fashion brand.
    The Belgian has previously been criticised during his spells in England for his weight and Lukaku has even hit back at his detractors on occasion.
    Inter even reportedly put him on a diet after he returned to the San Siro.
    He appeared to be back to his best as he scored in the Nerazzurri’s opening Serie A game of the season as they beat Leece.
    But Lukaku has missed several games after a thigh strain and has missed major clashes against rivals AC Milan and Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
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    He will be hoping to be back for a huge clash against Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Saturday.
    He is beloved by Inter fans after his superb two seasons at the club where he notched up 47 league goals in 72 Serie A games.
    It represents a sharp contrast to his time at Chelsea, when he clashed with the manager, fell out with the fans and consistently struggled to find the net after his £97.5m move. More

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    Paul Pogba reveals yellow stripe across ENTIRE FACE as new haircut leaves old Man Utd pal Jesse Lingard ‘in shock’

    PAUL POGBA went to great lengths to pull off a new look that shocked his former Manchester United team-mate Jesse Lingard.The Juventus star paid a trip to his trusted barber A-Star, who cut his hair for much of his stay at Old Trafford.
    Paul Pogba paid a trip to his favourite barber Ahmed Alsanawi, aka A-StarCredit: @paulpogba
    The Juventus star looked pleased with his fresh trimCredit: @paulpogba
    Pogba’s new look was praised by his ex-team-mate Jesse LingardCredit: @paulpogba
    A-Star transformed the midfielder’s barnet and had him looking sharp with a fresh shape-up.
    The barber also applied a stripe of bleach across Pogba’s WHOLE face to create a blond streak which started at the top of his head and reached his chin, also cutting through his eyebrow and moustache.
    Pogba, 29, shared a quick clip of his haircut on Instagram alongside the caption: “No limit for the new look yeassirr! 🙌🏾🔥.”
    After A-Star was finished Pogba jokingly put him in a headlock and began giving him a noogie, and the barber did not look too pleased.
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    Lingard replied in the comments to poke fun at the ex-United star, joking that Pogba was a bully.
    He said: “Shock A-Star getting bullied again! Fresh trip PP.”
    Lingard is another regular client of A-Star, aka Ahmed Alsanawi, who is a favourite amongst Premier League stars.
    The likes of Eden Hazard and John Terry have all been happy customers in the past, with his shop in Chessington, Surrey a hotspot for Chelsea players in particular.
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    Even global superstars Kylian Mbappe and David Alaba have enlisted Alsanawi’s services previously.
    Pogba must also rate his skills highly as he has travelled from his base in Turin to visit A-Star. More