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      Takehiro Tomiyasu ‘wants to join Tottenham’ with talks ongoing for Japan star but Atalanta threatening to hijack deal

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      TOTTENHAM are reportedly leading the race to sign Bologna star Takehiro Tomiyasu.Spurs had a £15million bid for the defender rejected earlier this month but are still believed to be interested.
      Takehiro Tomiyasu has been targeted by Tottenham and Arsenal
      And Tomiyasu wants to join, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
      The transfer guru claims Tottenham are the only English club in talks to sign Tomiyasu, suggesting Arsenal are no longer chasing the Japan international.
      Romano says a final decision will be made soon but does report interest from Serie A side Atalanta.
      And unlike Spurs, the Italians would be able to offer Tomiyasu Champions League football next season – he would not have to move country either.
      Bologna are believed to want £17.2m for Tomiyasu, 22, so it is up to Daniel Levy to offer up the extra cash.
      And if he does sign Tottenham fans would have to wait a while to see Tomiyasu in action as he will represent Japan at the Olympics this summer.
      Nevertheless, supporters will likely be pleased to beat rivals Arsenal to an important signing.

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs ITALY EURO 2020 FINAL BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      Spurs are yet to make a signing under Nuno Espirito Santo, who could want a new centre-back if he is to operate with a back five – as he did at Wolves.
      Tomiyasu also holds the advantage of being able to play at right-back, so could slot in well as a right-sided centre-back between Davinson Sanchez and Matt Doherty.
      Tomiyasu possesses good physical attributes with his speed and strength two of his main assets.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Jose Mourinho fumes about Man Utd and Tottenham exits and hits out at claims he was ‘disastrous’ at Premier League clubs More

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      Irish wonderkid Kevin Zefi, aged just 16, agrees transfer to Serie A champions Inter Milan from Shamrock Rovers

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      IRISH wonderkid Kevin Zefi has agreed a move to Inter Milan.The 16-year-old will move out to Italy in the next few weeks to start pre-season.
      Irish wonderkid Kevin Zefi has agreed to join Inter MilanCredit: Sportsfile
      Zefi became the youngest goalscorer in League of Ireland history when he netted for current side Shamrock Rovers in September against Longford Town, aged just 15.
      He is regarded as one of the most exciting talents to come out of Ireland in many years.
      And he is being advised by former Tottenham and Newcastle star Stephen Carr.
      Clubs in Germany and Holland were also keen on the starlet.
      But long-term admirers Inter have won the race. 
      The Nerazzurri tried to do a deal last summer but have now pulled it off.
      They will add Zefi to their Under-19 squad.
      A host of English clubs were also interested.

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs ITALY EURO 2020 FINAL BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      However, they were foiled by the new Brexit rules.
      Zefi’s parents are Albanian but he was born in Ireland.
      He scored twice against England’s Under-15s in a 3-1 win for the Irish in December 2019.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Fans celebrate Inter Milan winning the title Serie A football championship More

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      Mourinho takes first Roma training session amid claims he’s ‘ready to flog Pedro, Kluivert, Nzonzi and FIVE other stars’

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      JOSE MOURINHO has taken his first training session at Roma but eight first-team stars have reportedly told they will be sold this summer.Sky Sports Italy claim former Chelsea winger Pedro, Justin Kluivert, Steven Nzonzi, and goalkeeper Robin Olsen are among the players who will no longer train with the first team.
      Jose Mourinho has taken charge of his first training session at RomaCredit: Getty
      The former Spurs boss is said to have told eight of his new squad that they will be soldCredit: Getty
      Mourinho did include ex-Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko in his pre-season squadCredit: Getty

      Ante Coric, Davide Santon, Javier Pastore, and Federico Fazio have also reportedly been cast aside by former Spurs boss Mourinho.
      The Portuguese coach has wasted little time in stamping his authority at the Stadio Olimpico ahead of the new season.
      Roma telling excluded all of those names in a post on social media where they revealed the club’s pre-season squad on social media.
      It was Mourinho who originally signed Pedro for Chelsea back in 2015 mere months before the end of his second spell at the club.
      Yet the Spanish winger, 33, struggled for game time at Roma last term and is one of the names said to be on the chopping block.
      Pedro’s compatriot Pau Lopez and former Leicester City loanee Cengiz Under have already been moved on as part of Mourinho’s clearout.
      The Giallorossi have been linked with moves for a host of players this summer, including Premier League stars Granit Xhaka and Eric Bailly.
      However, Mourinho insisted he is yet to open discussions with any players in his first press conference as Roma boss.

      ⚽ ENGLAND vs ITALY EURO 2020 FINAL BETTING SPECIAL ⚽

      The 58-year-old said: “I have not spoken to anyone.
      “You can choose to believe whether that is true or not, but I have not spoken to anyone.
      “I speak with Tiago (Roma’s general manager), I speak with the ownership, I speak with different people within the club… but as far as players go, I have not spoken with any of them.”

      Jose Mourinho fumes about Man Utd and Tottenham exits and hits out at claims he was ‘disastrous’ at Premier League clubs More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo will STAY at Juventus this season, says pal Danilo amid Man Utd and PSG transfer interest

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      PORTUGAL captain Cristiano Ronaldo will STAY at Juventus beyond the summer, according to team-mate Danilo.The 36-year-old has been linked with Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain – but now seems set to stay in Turin for another season.
      Cristiano Ronaldo and Danilo celebrate winning Serie A in 2020Credit: Getty
      According to Goal, Juventus defender Danilo told the press: “Having him in the team is important for us because he brings an avalanche of goals.
      “He’s a dear friend, we’ve known each other since Real Madrid.
      “He’ll still be with us next season.”
      Former Manchester City star Danilo and Ronaldo played together at Real Madrid between 2015 and 2017 before reuniting in Italy two years ago.
      The Portuguese forward has been prolific for Juventus since joining the club in July 2018, scoring 81 goals in 97 Serie A appearances.
      Previous reports suggested the Italian club would let him leave this summer for just £25million, with United and PSG rumoured to be interested.
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      And Ronaldo refused to rule out a return to Old Trafford during an interview in June, telling the press: “Whatever comes will be for the best.”
      But it now appears he’ll stay at Juventus for at least another year.
      Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes is believed to be in Turin to discuss the player’s future with his existing employers.

      The Real legend reportedly wants to sign a one-year extension at Juventus to keep him at the club until 2023.
      Ronaldo is on course to win the top scorer award at Euro 2020 with five goals and one assist, although Harry Kane will win the award with a brace against Italy in the final.
      The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has recently come under fire, with ex-Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri claiming he was difficult to manage.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Ronaldo throws down captain armband after Portugal’s 1-0 defeat to Belgium More

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      Marko Arnautovic’s Bologna transfer hits rocks amid dispute with Shanghai SIPG over terminating £200k-a-week contract

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      EX-PREMIER LEAGUE forward Marko Arnautovic’s proposed move to Bologna is on the rocks over a contract dispute, according to reports.The 32-year-old was reportedly set to join the Italian side but is struggling to agree a severance package with current club Shanghai Port.
      Marko Arnautovic, 32, reportedly wants a pay-off from Chinese side Shanghai PortCredit: Getty
      According to German newspaper Bild, Arnautovic has agreed a three-year contract with Bologna.
      Chinese side Shanghai are reportedly happy to terminate the former West Ham star’s contract, but the player wants a pay-off.
      Arnautovic’s existing deal expires next summer and he’s believed to have asked for €4million from his current employers – around £3.43m.
      That’s just shy of £66,000-a-week, far less than the reported £200,000-a-week the ex-Stoke talent will earn if he sees out the final year of his contract.
      Arnautovic is unlikely to earn a similar wage at Bologna and may want the pay-off to ensure he doesn’t lose any potential earnings this season.
      Rumours suggest Shanghai will not accept the player’s terms and are threatening to introduce lawyers if he doesn’t leave on the cheap.
      And if an agreement can’t be reached between Shanghai and Arnautovic within the next two weeks, Bologna will reportedly looks elsewhere.

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      Arnautovic spent the 2009-10 season on loan at Inter Milan, making just three Serie A appearances as Jose Mourinho’s team won the treble.
      Mourinho has since revealed the player claimed he was BETTER than legends Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Adriano and Hernan Crespo while at Inter.
      German side Werder Bremen then signed him from Dutch side Twente before he joined Premier League Stoke in September 2013.

      Arnautovic enjoyed a decent four-year spell in Staffordshire, persuading West Ham to spend a reported £20m on him in July 2017.
      He then moved to China two years ago, scoring 20 goals in all competitions for Shanghai.
      Arnautovic is known for his ‘bad boy’ reputation, receiving a ban at Euro 2020 for making an ‘insulting’ gesture towards North Macedonia star Ezgjan Alioski.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      The best of Marko Arnautovic from the 2020 Chinese Super League More

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      Arsenal in Manuel Locatelli transfer boost as Sassuolo confirm talks with ‘club from abroad’ despite Juventus interest

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      ARSENAL have received a boost in their reported pursuit of Manuel Locatelli after Sassuolo confirmed transfer talks with a ‘club from abroad’.Locatelli, 23, has been in dazzling form for Italy at Euro 2020, helping Roberto Mancini’s men set up a Sunday final against England.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Arsenal have received a boost in their pursuit of Sassuolo’s Manuel LocatelliCredit: Getty
      Arsenal are in the market for a new midfielder as Granit Xhaka prepares to join Roma.
      And Locatelli is understood to be Mikel Arteta’s ‘dream’ signing.
      However, Arsenal are thought to face a transfer battle with Serie A giants Juventus for the playmaker.
      Max Allegri has reportedly identified Locatelli as the man to help Juve regain their Italian crown after a disappointing season.
      But the Gunners have been boosted by confirmation from Sassuolo that the Turin giants are yet to open talks due to financial problems.
      And instead, Sassuolo are in negotiations with an unnamed foreign side.
      Club chief Giovanni Carnevali told Sky Italy: “We’re in talks for Locatelli with one club from abroad, and it’s really advanced.
      “We’re going to meet with Juventus in the next few days, but there are no negotiations yet.
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      “Italian clubs are in a difficult financial situation.”
      Locatelli has played 68 times for Sassuolo over the past three seasons, scoring four times.
      He initially joined on loan from AC Milan in 2018 before making his stay permanent a year later.
      Locatelli could provide Arsenal with the blend of physicality and technique they’ve been craving in midfield, should he join.
      The Gunners have already lost Martin Odegaard and Dani Ceballos after their loans from Real Madrid expired.
      Meanwhile, Matteo Guendouzi has also been shipped off to Marseille.
      And Lucas Torreira is also expected to depart after a poor loan spell at Atletico Madrid.
      Juventus star Chiellini admits he was a ‘fool’ to snub Arsenal’s £66k-a-year transfer offer when he was 16-years-old More

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      Bonucci looks stony-faced in gym as Verratti warns Italy won’t be intimidated at Wembley for England Euro 2020 final

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      MARCO VERRATTI says Italy will not be intimidated by the atmosphere in the red hot cauldron of Wembley at Sunday’s Euro 2020 final against England.Wednesday’s semi-final win over Denmark saw Three Lions fans scream down the rafters supporting Gareth Southgate’s side – and the volume is likely to go up a notch again this weekend.
      ⚽ Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
      Marco Verratti says Italy are looking forward to playing England in a packed Wembley StadiumCredit: Getty
      Veteran defender Bonucci looked stony-faced as he enjoyed a gym workout earlierCredit: Getty
      With only 7,500 Italian fans allowed, Roberto Mancini’s men will be stepping into hostile territory but Verratti insists it doesn’t worry them a bit.
      The Paris Saint-Germain ace said: “The supporters will factor somehow, but we’re all professional players. 
      “We know what it is to play in fan packed stadiums and this will drive us as well.
      “We will be happy about it too – it’s great to play in a packed stadium.
      “We face a very tough team, they will be playing at home, they know the stadium well, but it is a dream for us to win the European Championship.
      “Now it’s all down to the final, which I think will be an epic and history-making either way.
      “Moments such as this one might not come up again – we’re all 100 per cent that these matches are there to be grabbed. We must win.
      “We weren’t given much credit abroad, but I think Italy is climbing back to the spot it belongs.”
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      England’s penalty winner against Denmark has come in for fierce criticism across Europe amid claims Raheem Sterling dived to get the decision.
      And Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport even claimed the spot-kick was all down to a Uefa preference for England to succeed in reward for them leading the fight against the European Super League and defying Covid-19 fears to allow 65,000 into Wembley for the last three matches.
      It has fed a fear among some in Italy that Mancini’s men will be up against a biased ref on Sunday – something Verratti dismissed out of hand.
      The 28-year-old added: “As far as the referee is concerned, I think the referee will be up to the task
      “There’ll be no problems, they are professional figures, they are officials in Champions League matches so this is by no means a source of concern.
      “Perhaps it was a bit of a generous penalty, but it’s part of the picture in football.”
      If England are to triumph and win the Euros for the first time, they will have to unlock an Italy defence marshalled by the experience and mastery of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci – who was pictured looking stony-faced this morning during a gym workout.

      Verratti is adamant a raucous Wembley will not intimidate Italy and Lorenzo Insigne looks readyCredit: Getty
      Verratti reckons Bonucci’s leadership has been a big help to Italy’s midfield at the EurosCredit: Getty
      The pair have been superb throughout the tournament and Verratti says they provide the rock on which the attacking Italian side base their open approach.
      He said: “Giorgio and Leonardo help us out a lot, even in midfield.
      “They have a great experience and they just get stronger, so we are very lucky to have them on our side.
      “They make us feel safe, they give us that extra confidence, which is very important for us midfielders. 
      “We know we can go forward because we know that they are back there.”
      Verratti has puzzled reaction as fan joins in with Italy’s Euro 2020 celebrations before steward intervenes More

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      Manuel Locatelli ready to snub Arsenal transfer for Juventus having had heart set on move for a year

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      ARSENAL’s hopes of signing Manuel Locatelli look like they could be crushed amid reports of Juventus moving ahead in the race for the star. Tuttosport claims Massimo Allegri wants a deal for the player to be struck between the Turin giants and Sassuolo.
      Juventus are reportedly considering a player-plus-cash offer Arsenal target Manuel LocatelliCredit: Rex
      And it is thought the Mapei Stadium midfielder, 23, who has been one of Italy’s best performers at the Euros would prefer a move to the Old Lady. 
      Tuttosport claims Juventus, who finished fourth in Italy’s top-flight, may be open to putting forward a cash-plus-player proposal. 
      It is thought the club, who re-appointed Allegri as manager after sacking Andre Pirlo, could be willing to offer Radu Dragusin or Nicolo Fagioli as part of a deal.
      And Tuttosport suggests Locatelli, who has also been linked with Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City, has been eyeing a Juve move for a year.
      It would mean Arsenal – who are expected to lose Granit Xhaka to Roma – may have to consider other midfield targets. 
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      The news comes a month after reports claimed the Gunners were eyeing a £34million move for Locatelli with the club set to cut at four midfielders loose. 
      The departure of Matteo Guendouzi to Marseille is expected to be followed by the exits of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Lucas Torreira and wantaway Switzerland captain Xhaka. 
      Locatelli, who is due to play England in the Euro 2020 final, has made four starts for Roberto Mancini’s side netting two tournament goals. 
      And the Arsenal target notched up scored four times and three assists in 34 Serie A games for Sassuolo last term.
      His contract with the side, which he moved to from AC Milan in 2019, is due to expire in June 2023. 
      And the club finished eighth in Italy’s top-flight last term. 
      In June, Sky Sports Italia reported Sassuolo chief executive Giovanni Carnevali’s claims that Arsenal were upping the ante in their efforts to sign Locatelli.
      However, the Gunners are facing stiff competition from Juve who are thought to have a special connection with officials at the Mapei Stadium, according to Football London. 
      Carnevali told Sky Sport Italia: “Arsenal have made an official bid for Locatelli.
      “They’re pushing hard to sign Manuel and it’s an important bid… we will see.
      Juventus target Manuel Locatelli is due play England in the finals of this year’s EurosCredit: Getty

       “Juventus also want Locatelli and we have a special relationship with them.
      “We can think about Locatelli’s future, but above all we care about his present and that means Italy doing well at the Euros.”
      In June reports suggested Locatelli is expected to sign a contract in Turin until 2026 worth around £48,000 per week.
      Verratti has puzzled reaction as fan joins in with Italy’s Euro 2020 celebrations before steward intervenes More