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      Pablo Mari back in Monza training for first time since on-loan Arsenal star was stabbed in horrific Milan knife attack

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      PABLO MARI is back in training with Monza for the first time since being stabbed in a horror knife attack.One person was killed and five injured after a knifeman went on a rampage in a Milan shopping centre in October.
      Pablo Mari has returned to Monza training after being stabbed in OctoberCredit: EPA
      One person was killed by a knifeman in a frenzied attack in a Milan shopping centreCredit: Reuters
      Mari, who was saved by Napoli icon Massimo Tarantino, was airlifted to hospital after being stabbed in the back.
      And the Arsenal loanee, 29, underwent surgery the following day to repair muscles damaged in the incident.
      Mari, who was ruled out for two months, paid a surprise visit to a Monza game earlier this month.
      And he has made excellent progress in his recovery by joining in training on Wednesday.
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      Mari gave Monza pals a boost as he joined in team exercises while also completing individual work.
      The Brazilian had already made a good impact at his new side before the stabbing, scoring once in eight Serie A games.
      Monza boss Raffaele Palladino is unlikely to count his chickens just yet.
      But the Italians minnows are quietly confident Mari could be available for their league return against Fiorentina on January 4.
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      It would certainly be an amazing sight for football fans everywhere.
      And Mari admits he’s been counting his blessings ever since the horrific event.
      Speaking at the time, he said: “I was with the trolley with my child inside and I felt an excruciating pain in my back.
      “Then that man stabbed another in the throat. Today I had luck, because I saw a person die in front of me.” More

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      Chelsea on alert as Juventus ‘open to letting Serbia World Cup star Dusan Vlahovic leave in shock transfer in January’

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      JUVENTUS could let Dusan Vlahovic leave next year amid interest from Chelsea, according to reports.The striker signed for the Serie A giants last January in a £62million move from Fiorentina.
      Dusan Vlahovic has managed six goals in Serie A this season
      Juventus are prepared to let Dusan Vlahovic leaveCredit: Getty
      He has been in good goalscoring form for the Old Lady with 16 goals in 36 games.
      But Juventus are prepared to let Vlahovic leave amid record losses at the club over the last three years.
      The Serbia international, 22, could even leave when the January transfer window opens, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.
      He adds that several top European clubs are interested in Vlahovic and are in touch with his agent.
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      Chelsea are included in that group but Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked.
      The Gunners tried to land Vlahovic last year before he signed for Juventus.
      And with Gabriel Jesus out injured for up to three months it is possible the Premier League leaders will try to lure Vlahovic to North London.
      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 Belgium striker’s return on loan to Inter Milan.
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      Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen, according to Il Bianconero.
      Liverpool have also been linked to the striker in a possible swap deal that would see Ibrahima Konate head to Turin. More

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      Tottenham ‘join Inter Milan and Juventus in transfer race for ex-Man Utd and England star Chris Smalling from Roma’

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      TOTTENHAM have joined Inter Milan and Juventus in the race to sign Chris Smalling, according to reports. The 33-year-old’s Roma contract expires at the end of this season.
      Chris Smalling is reportedly wanted by SpursCredit: Reuters
      It remains unclear whether the Italian side are willing to offer him a new deal with the player supposedly wanting an improved two-year contract.
      Smalling reportedly would like to stay at Roma as he has become a key man in Jose Mourinho’s defence, helping them win the Conference League last season.
      Mourinho was shocked that he was not part of the Three Lions squad going to the World Cup.
      Smalling has been capped 31 times by England but has not been in a the national team set-up since 2017.
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      The former Manchester United star has rediscovered top form after leaving his homeland and this season he’s featured in all 21 matches for Roma, scoring three goals.
      His good performances have led to Spurs considering a move for him, claim Sky in Italy.
      The North London club would be able to offer Smalling a move back home as manager Antonio Conte looks to bolster his defence ahead of the second half of the campaign.
      Tottenham appear keen to bring in a new defender with Harry Maguire linked to the club.
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      However if Smalling leaves Roma and prefers to stay in Italy then he has options in Inter and Juve.
      The Bianconeri are in crisis after all their board resigned and therefore money for transfers may be restricted, meaning free signings could suit them.

      Meanwhile, Inter have reportedly been left underwhelmed by the performance of centre-back Francesco Acerbi.
      As a result they could swoop for Smalling to replace him. More

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      Ex-Man Utd star Chris Smalling ‘to SNUB Inter Milan and Juventus transfers to stay with Jose Mourinho at Roma’

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      CHRIS SMALLING is being targeted by Juventus and Inter Milan but prefers to stay at Roma, reports suggest.Smalling, 33, has risen to prominence in Italy ever since joining the Giallorossi in 2019 and has turned into one of manager Jose Mourinho’s most prominent figures in the capital.
      Roma star Chris Smalling has been linked with Inter Milan and JuventusCredit: Getty
      Chris Smalling prefers to stay with Roma manager Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty
      However, the ex-Manchester United ace’s deal runs out in June and wants another big contract as he has already reached an advanced age.
      According to Sky Sports in Italy, the centre-back has attracted interest from both Inter and Juventus.
      Juve are dealing with a crisis after the board was forced to resign over allegations of doctoring wages and inflating player values.
      The Bianconeri look set to approach the transfer market in a more conservative manner and focus on free transfers.
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      Smalling’s agent has also received offers from Inter, who are not satisfied with Francesco Acerbi’s performances at centre-back.
      However, the former England international prefers to stay at Roma after enjoying a lot of success under Mourinho, with whom he won the inaugural Europa Conference League last season.
      According to Tuttosport, however, the defender is looking for a new contract worth more than his current £3million-a-year deal.
      Therefore Smalling would still expect the Romans to match the offers from other clubs to sign a contract extension.
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      The ex-Fulham star joined Roma on loan in 2019 and earned a permanent contract a year later.
      He has scored ten goals and provided four assists in 117 appearances. More

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      Inter Milan ‘are keen on Chris Smalling transfer’ as ex-Man Utd star nears end of Roma contract

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      INTER MILAN are reportedly keen on a free transfer swoop for Chris Smalling.The ex-Manchester United star has revived his career in Italy with Roma.
      Inter Milan are eyeing a free transfer swoop for Roma star Chris SmallingCredit: Getty
      And despite turning 34 next year, Smalling could be set for a move up the Serie A ladder with the 2021 champions.
      The former Red Devil has been at Roma since 2019 following nine seasons at Old Trafford.
      Now in his fourth campaign in Italy’s capital, Smalling is widely regarded as one of the league’s top centre-backs.
      And boss Jose Mourinho was left speechless when the ace was not selected by Gareth Southgate for England’s World Cup squad in Qatar.
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      However, the Special One could soon be bidding farewell to Smalling.
      The veteran’s contract is up at the end of term, and he is yet to respond to a new two-year offer from Roma.
      Gianluca Di Marzio now claims that Inter are preparing to make a move for Smalling as they seek defensive reinforcements.
      A San Siro switch would see the centre-back land a pay rise and arguably provide him with a better chance of winning the Serie A title.
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      Roma are now scrambling to put together a more appealing deal so Smalling stays put.
      But it’s also reckoned fallen giants Juventus are monitoring the situation, with Turin still an attractive prospect despite their slide down the table.
      Smalling has so far made 117 appearances for Roma, scoring an impressive 10 goals in the process.
      He played a key role in last term’s Europa Conference League victory.
      But with Roma languishing in seventh in this season’s Serie A table, Smalling may feel the time is right for another new challenge. More

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      ‘Curse about to kick in’ – Fans all say the same thing as Drake is spotted wearing a Napoli jacket on stage

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      FANS are convinced that the Drake “curse” is going to strike again after he was seen in a Napoli jacket on stage.The Canadian musician has proven to be an unlucky charm for a number of high-profile sports stars in recent years, who have posed for pictures with him and then lost.
      Drake wore a classic Napoli track top on stage recentlyCredit: Twitter
      Napoli could be the latest team to face the Drake curseCredit: Alamy
      Now fans are worried that he is going to disrupt Napoli’s superb start to the season.
      The Serie A side are cruising at the top of the table, eight points ahead of second-placed AC Milan.
      Napoli also topped their Champions League group having won five of their six games.
      With break-out stars such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giacomo Raspadori looking impressive they look like the team to beat at the moment.
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      However, fans are adamant that the curse is going to happen.
      One said: “Drake curse about to kick in.”
      Another commented: “Napoli will 100% lose the league mark my words.”
      A third added: “F*** we’re going to lose against Inter now.”
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      A fourth said: “And this ladies and gentlemen is the reason Napoli ain’t winning the scudetto.”
      Another recent example of the Drake curse is when he bet £186,000 on Charles Leclerc to win the Spanish Grand Prix.
      However, after leading the rec the Ferrari driver had to retire on lap 27 due to engine failure.
      If the Monegasque driver have won, Drake would have pocketed a cool £446k.
      He also lost with a mammoth £346k bet after he predicted Justin Gaethje would beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 274, which he didn’t. More

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      Brazil icon Ronaldo would be ‘most expensive player ever’ at £383m, while Maradona could cost £305m in today’s market

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      A COMPUTER has worked out how much the biggest transfers in history would cost in today’s prices and has named Ronaldo Nazario as the most expensive player of all time.Taking into account a wide variety of factors, most crucially Neymar’s mind boggling £196million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain three years ago, the original Ronaldo’s move from Barcelona to Inter Milan is valued at £383m if it happened in 2021.
      What the eight biggest transfer in history would cost in 2021 prices
      Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo was the best striker in the world when he signed for InterCredit: AFP
      Maradona achieved legendary status at Stadio San PaoloCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Coming in behind the Brazil striker’s 1997 switch is Diego Maradona’s signing for Napoli in 1984 – which would be worth £305m today.
      Italian market analysts PlayRatings came up with an algorithm to determine modern day transfer fees for top players of bygone eras.
      The first thing they took into account was how reasonable each fee was at the time, with Ronaldo’s £27million deal considered a bargain.
      Performance data such as goals scored and age are also thrown into the mix before the key multiplier: dubbed the ‘Neymarizer’.
      This is a tool that ups the adjusted price by roughly 220 per cent, the theory being that Neymar was only really worth around £84m before leaving for £186m.
      In just one year at Barcelona, Ronaldo had smashed 47 goals in 49 games to earn him the Ballon d’Or and a world-record transfer.
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      Likewise, Maradona was a superstar before he arrived amid much fanfare in Italy, going on to win a World Cup and two Serie A titles during his time with Napoli.
      PlayRatings have even hypothesised that his market value at the end of the Scudetto-winning 1986/87 season topped £390m.
      Focused on Serie A’s biggest deals, the Neymarizer reckons both Christian Vieri and Michel Platini would today clock in at £296m.
      In 1999, striker Vieri signed for Inter from Lazio with Juventus snapping up Saint-Etienne star Platini back in 1982.
      Unsurprisingly, Marco van Basten also features with the Dutch star costing £291m if he completed his 1987 move to AC Milan from Ajax now.
      The list is completed with Gabriel Batistuta’s 2000 signing for Roma actually worth £249m were it to happen in 2021.
      Neymar still holds the world record transfer feeCredit: Alamy Live News
      And Gonzalo Higuain’s controversial £85m switch from Napoli to Juventus in 2016, a year before Neymar’s market changing transfer, comes in at a mega £234m today.
      Using the same idea, we have calculated what Alan Shearer’s world record £15m move from Blackburn to Newcastle may be worth today – approximately £182m.
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      Chelsea transfer blow as ‘AC Milan look to tie down Ismael Bennacer to new long-term contract’

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      CHELSEA have been dealt a transfer blow with AC Milan reportedly trying to tie Ismael Bennacer down to a new long-term contract.The 25-year-old holding midfielder is attracting plenty of attention by shining in the base of Milan’s midfield.
      Ismael Bennacer looks on course to sign a new deal at AC MilanCredit: Alamy
      However, as one of the first names on Stefano Pioli’s team sheet at the San Siro, the club are desperate to keep him.
      And according to Calciomercato, negotiations started a few months ago regarding an extension.
      Bennacer’s current deal runs until the summer of 2024 – just 18 months away.
      Talks were put on hold when the Rossoneri changed hands.
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      However, the club have received fresh hope with Bennacer signing with a new agent, Enzo Raiola, six weeks after ditching his former rep.
      Bennacer’s £42million release clause expired in the summer for the player described as one of the key leaders on and off the pitch.
      It is understood he has previously rejected an offer worth £50,000 per week – because he wants to at least double his current £28,000 weekly wages.
      And with both player and club keen to get a deal done, it comes as a stinging blow to Bennacer’s Premier League admirers.
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      Chelsea are interested with N’Golo Kante and Jorignho’s futures unclear while Manchester United have also been linked with the man who spent two years on Arsenal’s books but made zero appearances between 2015 and 2017.
      Liverpool, meanwhile, continue to be linked with a move for the 44-cap Algeria ace. More