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    Man Utd line up FREE Franck Kessie transfer in attempt to replace Paul Pogba next summer with AC Milan deal running out

    MANCHESTER UNITED are lining up a free transfer for AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie to potentially replace Paul Pogba should the Frenchman decide to leave, reports say. Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham are also interested in signing Kessie, whose contract expires in June 2022.
    Kessie is one of Milan’s most valuable assetsCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    According to Calciomercato, talks between Milan and Kessie over a new contract are at a stalemate.
    And the Ivorian international’s situation has alerted Man Utd, who have a contract situation of their own with star man Pogba.
    The 28-year-old’s contract expires in the summer, but United have set a Christmas deadline on when they want an answer on whether he’ll sign a new deal.
    Should the midfielder sign a contract extension, he could top an eye-watering £400,000-a-week.
    LaLiga giants Real Madrid have been long-term admirers of Pogba, but there are doubts over whether they can financially afford to sign him and his international team-mate Kylian Mbappe in the same summer.
    But should Pogba decide to leave United, Kessie is a good alternative.

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    The midfield powerhouse is four years Pogba’s junior and has better defensive attributes, something United have been crying out for in their midfield.
    West Ham’s Declan Rice is another name United have been looking at to bolster their midfield options.
    But the England international would cost upwards of £80million.

    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Man Utd star Raphael Varane discusses his relationship with Paul Pogba More

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    Tammy Abraham ‘called up to England squad for October World Cup qualifiers’ after shining since Chelsea transfer exit

    TAMMY ABRAHAM has reportedly been called up to the England squad after a sensational start to the season with new club Roma.The 24-year-old swapped the Premier League for Serie A in the summer as he left Chelsea to he join up with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho in Italy in a deal worth £34million.
    Abraham has excelled since joining Roma in the summerCredit: Getty
    And the decision to leave Chelsea has paid off for Abraham as he has hit the ground running at Roma.
    The striker has scored four goals and provided two assists in just nine games for Mourinho’s men.
    According to The Athletic, he has been rewarded for his sensational form at the start of the campaign by earning himself a recall to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the first time in 10 months as they prepare for World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary.
    He is not thought to be replacing anyone in the squad.
    Abraham has six caps for his country, making his debut in a friendly against Germany back in 2017.
    He then went on to score his first international goal two years later in a 7-0 win over Montenegro.

    The England squad that was announced by Southgate last week
    Abraham featured 32 times for Chelsea last season, scoring a solid 12 goals.
    But opportunities for the England man began to dry up when Frank Lampard was sacked and Thomas Tuchel arrived in January.
    He then searched for a way out and found a move in the form of Roma and Mourinho.
    Abraham joins a host of attacking options in Southgate’s squad including the likes of captain Harry Kane, Ollie Watkins, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka.
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    England sit top of their World Cup Qualifying group, four points clear of second place Albania.
    The are yet to lose in the qualification process, with their only dropped points coming last time out away in Poland when they conceded a stoppage time equaliser to draw 1-1.
    Southgate’s side travel to face Andorra on Saturday before hosting Hungary three days later.
    Abraham’s only England goal came two years ago against MontenegroCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd More

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    Romantic Locatelli gets engaged to stunning partner Thessa Lacovich after scoring winner for Juventus against Torino

    ROMANTIC Manuel Locatelli enjoyed the perfect weekend – backing up his winning goal by getting engaged.The Juventus midfielder curled into the bottom corner to secure a 1-0 win against Torino on Saturday.
    Manuel Locatelli proposed to his fiancee Thessa Lacovich this weekend
    She showed off her sparkling new ring on social media
    And then he capped off a memorable 24 hours by getting down on one knee – with his stunning partner Thessa Lacovich saying yes.
    The Italy Euro 2020 hero – who joined Juve in the summer – ensured he made it a special occasion for his 23-year-old lover.
    E-commerce guru Lacovich took to social media to show fans an insight into the proposal.
    The happy couple headed to the Mandarin Oriental on Lake Como for an idyllic mini-retreat along with their dog Teddy.
    Their luxury hotel room included a balcony with gorgeous views over the lake.
    Locatelli brought a bouquet of roses and prepared a tasty banquet of sweet treats as their celebrated their engagement.

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    And his fiancee showed off the sparkling ring and captioned the posts: “Yes with all my heart.”
    She later added to her 72,000 Instagram followers: “Ask me if I’m happy.”
    Alvaro Morata’s excited wife Alice Campello commented: “What a thrill.”
    Locatelli also took to social media and simply said: “Yes.”
    Juventus celebrated the joyful news on social media – but manager Max Allegri was fully focused on praising his midfielder for his performances on the pitch rather than off it.
    Allegri said: “He has come in well, he has a lot of room for improvement even if he has already improved because he varies his plays and puts himself in the position of a director.
    “He is good and has technique.”
    The midfielder scored the only goal in the Turin derby with four minutes leftCredit: Rex
    The balcony had spectacular views over Lake Como More

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    Man Utd’s draw with Everton looks like good result after shock defeats for European giants including SIX leaders losing

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S draw with Everton on Saturday was made to look like a decent result after SIX of Europe’s league leaders all lost.The Red Devils drew 1-1 at Old Trafford to make it four games without a win but Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich were just some of the teams who said: “Hold our beers.”
    Man Utd could only draw 1-1 with Everton at Old Trafford on SaturdayCredit: PA
    But several of Europe’s biggest teams – including PSG – lost at the weekend which made United’s point look a little betterCredit: Getty
    Bayern Munich were beaten 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the BundesligaCredit: Getty
    Anthony Martial scored his first goal since February to put United 1-0 up at the end of the first-half before Andros Townsend levelled with 25 minutes to go.
    Everton had a winner disallowed in the closing stages and United were lucky to come away with a point.
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is under severe pressure having benched Cristiano Ronaldo and not having won since September 19 – a fortunate 2-1 win at West Ham.
    United sit fourth in the Premier League after the disappointing point but Europe’s big guns made it look like a solid draw.
    Bayern were beaten 2-1 at home to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga – their first league defeat of the season.
    Leon Goretzka put them 1-0 up before on the half hour mark before Martin Hinteregger and Filip Kostic’s goals either side of half-time saw the visitors take the points.

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    Bayern remain top but are now level on 16 points after seven matches with Bayer Leverkusen who won 4-0 at Arminia.
    In France, PSG were beaten 2-0 at Rennes.
    Gaiten Laborde and Flavien Tait scored a quickfire double within two minutes of the start of the second-half.
    Neymar was slammed by Le Parisien who gave the Brazilian a 2.5/10 rating.
    And ex-PSG and West Ham ace Edouard Cisse, 43, also tore into him after the defeat – calling the Brazilian a spoilt brat and saying he bosses everyone around.

    LaLiga’s leadership race took a turn as Real Madrid lost 2-1 at Espanyol.
    Raul de Tomas and Aleix Vidal scored for the home side before Karim Benzema’s strike on 70 minutes proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
    Real also stayed top but are now level with city rivals Atletico AND Real Sociedad with just goal difference separating the three who are on 17 points after eight matches.
    Benfica’s grip on the top spot in Portugal’s Primeira Liga got weaker with a 1-0 home defeat to Portimonense thanks to Lucas Possignolo’s second-half effort.
    Porto and Sporting are just one point behind the Lisbon outfit who have 21 points from their first eight games.
    Ajax also lost at home by the same scoreline. Utrecht were their assailants with Dutch left-back Django Warmerdam scoring the winner.
    They have 19 points from their opening eight with PSV now just a point behind them at the top of the Eredivisie, and Utrecht now within two.
    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Finally, ten-man Zenit lost 2-1 at home to Sochi in the Russian Premier League.
    The visitors moved to within five points of first-placed Zenit who are still four points above second placed Dynamo Moscow.
    According to Reddit user Danny Boy, the odds of the league leaders of Spain, Germany, France, Russia, Portugal and Holland at the weekend were 244,497/1.

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    Rio Ferdinand slams Man Utd for failing to sign Juventus star Federico Chiesa as Chelsea prepare fresh transfer bid

    RIO FERDINAND reckons Manchester United may have missed a trick when they failed to add Federico Chiesa to their ranks in the summer.And it is thought Chelsea could be set to make another move for the Juventus loan star amid reports of the Blues bid being rejected.
    Rio Ferdinand questioned why Man United and other Prem sides have not signed Federico Chiesa
    Chiesa, 23, is in the second year of a two-year loan at Juve from Fiorentina and helped Italy to win Euro 2020 championship. 
    The forward, who made 46 Juve appearances last term, wowed pundits including Ferdinand when he netted the winner during the Italians’ 1-0 Champions League group stage defeat of Chelsea. 
    Speaking of Prem clubs failing to buy the player in the summer, Ferdinand told BT Sport: “He’s a huge player and he’s been linked with a few clubs in England.
    “I’m sure they’re thinking ‘why didn’t we get him?’
    “He’s just a fantastic footballer. The intensity with which he plays with, we saw in the Euros. 
    “He was the main goal threat for the Italians who went on to win the tournament.
    “He’s that modern-day striker who can play anywhere across the front line and he’s as comfortable out wide as he is through the middle. 
    “He unnerves defenders with that pace, he’s so direct.”
    Ferdinand’s fellow BT Sport commentator Joe Cole also praised Chiesa, who notched up 15 goals in 46 games across all competitions for Juve last season. 

    And the Chelsea academy coach reckons the Azzurri winger’s playing style is similar to Atletico Madrid’s Luiz Suarez. 
    Cole told BT Sport: “The biggest attribute he’s got is he plays with a humility.
    “He’s hustling and bustling like a young Luis Suarez character, he can make something out of nothing.
    “Every club in Europe will want a slice of him when he becomes available.”
    Chiesa made a switch to Juventus on a two-year loan prior to a permanent move which could be in the region of £54million if certain terms are met. 
    It is reported that Chelsea are preparing to make an offer of around £85million with Bayern Munich and Liverpool also thought to be keen. 
    But it is thought Massimo Allegri’s side considers the forward to be a key part of their plans.
    It reported the club are looking to sign the player permanently for £43m next year.

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    Man Utd legend Ferdinand hails Chelsea’s Rudiger as best centre-back in Premier League More

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    Man Utd ‘push on in Franck Kessie transfer chase’ with Milan ace available to negotiate free switch in just THREE months

    MANCHESTER UNITED have stepped-up their interest in AC Milan star Franck Kessie, according to reports.The midfielder, 24, is out of contract at the end of the season and can negotiate with non-Italian clubs from January.
    Several Premier League teams are reportedly interested in signing Franck KessieCredit: Reuters
    According to La Gazzetta dello Sport via Calciomercato, Man Utd have identified Kessie as a potential replacement for Paul Pogba, 28.
    Like Kessie, Pogba’s current deal runs out in June and it’s still unclear whether he’ll put pen to paper on an extension.
    Kessie reportedly wants an €8million yearly salary – around £132,000-a-week – but Milan are only offering €6.5m.
    The Ivory Coast international’s alleged wage demands are well within Man Utd’s budget, with the club currently paying Pogba £290,000-a-week.
    The Frenchman is one of 11 players earning at least £132,000-a-week at Old Trafford.
    Kessie has been a key part of Milan’s midfield since joining the Italian giants from Atalanta in June 2017, making 147 Serie A appearances.

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    Man Utd’s Premier League rivals Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea are also believed to be keen on bringing the midfield maestro to England.
    And some rumours suggest Spurs are willing to pay Kessie his desired wage.
    Pogba’s Man Utd future remains uncertain, with reports claiming Juventus and Barcelona are interested in signing the player.
    The Red Devils are also believed to have identified Tottenham ace Tanguy Ndombele, 24, as a potential replacement for Pogba.
    But Raphael Varane has publicly urged his club and international team-mate to stay in Manchester beyond next summer.
    The French defender told Norwegian TV: “It is of course his decision, but of course I hope he stays here for a long time.”
    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Franck Kessie talks about his time at AC Milan and plans for the future More

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    Chelsea line up transfer for Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne with Italy’s Euros hero available for free in summer

    CHELSEA are lining up a move for Napoli and Italy forward Lorenzo Insigne when his contract expires in the summer.The 30-year-old has been with the Serie A side for his entire career but finally looks set to depart at the end of the season.
    Insigne’s contract expires at Napoli at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
    And according to Fichajes.com, the Blues are keen to secure Insigne’s services on a free transfer providing he does not sign a new deal with Napoli.
    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel strengthened the attacking talent in his squad over the summer with the addition of club record signing Romelu Lukaku.
    But he is said to still not be entirely happy with the options at his disposal and would like to bring Insigne to the London outfit.
    Tuchel could also offload a couple of big name faces at the end of the season, in particular those who have struggled to fit into life at Stamford Bridge.
    Both Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have failed to live up to their billing since arriving in the Premier League in 2020.
    If they leave the club, Chelsea will then have room on their wage bill to bring in Insigne.

    Insigne has played 405 games for Napoli since making his debut in the 2009-10 campaign.
    In more than a decade, he has racked up 111 goals for the Italian club, reaching double figures in each of the last six seasons.
    Insigne has also been a stellar performer for the Italy national team over the past nine years.
    He has netted ten times in 49 games for his country, including twice at the European Championships in the summer.

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    The Napoli man was a key part of the Italy side that won Euro 2020, beating England at Wembley in the final.
    Meanwhile, Chelsea and Tuchel have come under some scrutiny over the past week following defeats to Manchester City and Juventus.
    Next up for the Blues is a home game against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
    Insigne scored twice for Italy at Euro 2020 as they triumphed over England in the finalCredit: AFP More

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    Tottenham and Leeds transfer boost as Cagliari star Nahitan Nandez’s agent claims he can leave in January

    TOTTENHAM and Leeds have received a boost in their pursuit of Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez after his agent declared he can leave in January.The 25-year-old was linked with a move to North London in the summer, with it claimed that Spurs approached the Serie A side about his availability.
    Cagliari midfielder Nahitan Nandez could be off in the winter transfer windowCredit: Getty
    But a move failed to materialise after Tottenham allegedly refused to meet his £25million asking price.
    Meanwhile Italian news outlet Tuttomercatoweb revealed that Leeds were also keen on bringing the Uruguay international to the Premier League.
    However like with Spurs, the Whites couldn’t agree a fee with Cagliari despite being in contact with the club and Nandez’s representatives.
    Now it appears that Nandez could be on the move after his agent Pablo Bentancur stated he is free to depart in the New Year.
    He even announced that Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini will do everything in his power to try and sell him in the winter transfer window.
    But he stressed that Napoli are also in the race to secure Nandez’s services, with the player interested in linking up with Luciano Spalletti’s men.

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    Bentancur told Calcio Napoli 24: “Giulini has promised the player and me to do everything possible so that he leaves in the January market.
    “Nandez wants to win something; he wants to play in the Champions League. The president has given us his word.
    “Nandez was the most expensive player in the history of Cagliari, but we know the crisis that took place.
    “There are two or three clubs that will look for Nandez in January, including Napoli. I would be happy to see him in blue, definitely.
    “But Giulini has now understood the situation, we hope that in January there may be some movement, we hope in the direction of Naples.
    “I think he will sell at a lower price than the one requested, there is a €36million [£31m] clause.

    “But yesterday the president has talked to Nandez and told him he will lower the price and let him go.”
    Nandez, who joined Cagliari in 2019 from Boca Juniors, has featured in all seven of the club’s Serie A games this season.
    After just surviving relegation last season, Cagliari already sit in the bottom three having failed to win any of their matches so far.
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