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      Former Man Utd striker Romelu Lukaku reveals he was desperate to leave for Inter after being branded ‘slow’ and ‘lazy’

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      ROMELU LUKAKU has opened about his desperate wish to bring down the curtain on his Manchester United career before his Inter Milan move. 
      And the Serie A ace, who is enjoying a resurgence under Antonio Conte, has blasted critics who labelled him as ‘slow’ and ‘lazy’. 

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      Romelu Lukaku has hit back at critics after enjoying a stellar first season at Inter MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Lukaku, 27, says a “negative spiral” influenced his decision to leave Man United Credit: PA:Empics Sport

      The Belgium striker, 27, swapped Old Trafford for the San Siro last August in a £76.5million switch following a nightmare final season with the Red Devils. 
      Since then the former United frontman has blossomed at Inter, netting 34 times across all competitions last term.
      And his goals helped the club climb to second in Italy’s top-flight, finishing just a point behind champions Juventus. 
      The striker’s impressive form, which helped Conte’s side mount a serious challenge for silverware in Italy and Europe, has made a mockery of the criticism he received before his Old Trafford exit. 

      Lukaku told The Times: “A year ago, when I was in England, I was ‘lazy, I didn’t run, I didn’t do this and that’. 
      “Here, they call me the hardest worker in the room.  

      They will call me slow and I’m like, ‘Slow? Me, slow? I cannot keep up with the fast pace game of Man U?
      Romelu Lukaku

      “If you look at me playing here and there, I mean, there are improvements, yeah, but the [same] Rom is still here.
      “Stuff happens in football but it’s something you need to explain to the next generation of kids, that you need to have full control over your destiny. 

      “And if you look at me now you see a different outcome, you see the full person, you see the full potential.
      “You see what I could have been doing in England.”
      Lukaku, joined United from Everton for £75million in the summer of 2017, after scoring 87 times in 166 games for the Goodison Park side. 
      And the Belgian racked up 26 goals across all competitions in his debut season for the Red Devils. 
      However the former Chelsea ace revealed unsettling noises about his quality had begun soon after his arrival at Old Trafford. 
      And this was despite the warm reception he received from club chief Ed Woodward, former manager Mourinho and current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. 
      Lukaku added: “Everybody in the club was so nice, from Ed Woodward to the owners, to Matthew Judge [transfer negotiator], to Jose Mourinho, to Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and his staff, to everybody in the canteen. 

      I was like, you know what? Eff this. I’m out.”
      Romelu Lukaku

      “But the stuff around it was just too much of a negative spiral for me.
      “They will call me slow and I’m like, ‘Slow? Me, slow? I cannot keep up with the fast pace game of Man U? 
      “If I was slow I would not have got the penalty like I did against Seville in the final. That’s two years after. 
      “Are you going to say me at 27 is faster than I was at 25?

      “That’s what I’m trying to say. It’s just little things. I was like, you know what? Eff this. I’m out.”
      Lukaku, who has made two starts so far this term, has already clocked up three goals for Inter Milan. 
      And the San Siro side, who are currently third in Serie A, play Lazio on Sunday afternoon.

      Romelu Lukaku shows off his striking skills in Belgium team training More

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      Brazil legend Ronaldo would be ‘most expensive player ever’ at £383m while Maradona is £305m if they were sold today

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      A COMPUTER has worked out how much the biggest transfers in history would cost in today’s prices and has 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 2019.

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      What the eight biggest transfer in history would cost in 2020 prices

      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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      Two-time World Cup winner Ronaldo was the best striker in the world when he signed for InterCredit: AFP

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      Maradona achieved legendary status at Stadio San PaoloCredit: AP:Associated Press
      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 2019.

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      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.
      And given Raheem Sterling’s contract situation with Liverpool before exiting to Manchester City for £49m, we expect the Neymarizer to rate the winger at around £176m if that 2015 move happened today.

      Higuain kicks coach and advertising boards after losing temper during Juventus training More

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      Man Utd midfielder Andreas Pereira completes season-long Lazio loan transfer with option to buy

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      ANDREAS PEREIRA has completed his season-long loan deal from Manchester United to Lazio.
      The Brazilian has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the arrivals of Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek.

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      Andreas Pereira has completed his loan move to LazioCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      The midfielder had fallen down the pecking order at Old TraffordCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Serie A side Lazio have pounced, with the 24-year-old earlier passing his medical in Rome.
      The Red Devils confirmed on Thursday night that Pereira will join join Simone Inzaghi’s side on loan for the 2020-21 campaign.
      Lazio will then have an option to make it permanent for £24million next summer.
      Pereira has made 75 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring four goals and assisting a further five.

      The one-cap international was a regular for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the first half of last season.
      But his place was taken by Fernandes after January, with Paul Pogba’s return from injury post-restart limiting his minutes even further.
      After last season’s June resumption, Pereira played just 36 minutes of Premier League football for the Red Devils.
      And he wasn’t even on their nine-man bench for the final three games.

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      Pereira has made 75 appearances for Manchester UnitedCredit: EPA

      While in Italy, Pereira will appear in this season’s Champions League.
      Lazio featured in yesterday’s group stage draw, being plucked out alongside Borussia Dortmund, Zenit St Petersburg and Club Brugge.
      Pereira is unlikely to be the last outgoing at Old Trafford prior to Monday’s deadline.
      With Red Devils chiefs remaining determined to sign Jadon Sancho from Dortmund, Daniel James could be on his way to Leeds on loan.
      Meanwhile Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo have been training away from the rest of the first-team as they look to secure transfers.
      Relegated to third-choice keeper, Sergio Romero could depart – while Juan Mata and Phil Jones may also leave the Theatre of Dreams.

      Solskjaer discusses Man Utd’s 3-0 win against Brighton in the Carabao Cup fourth round More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi: Barcelona star wins in head-to-head battles ahead of Champions League clash

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      IT IS the question that divides football fans across the globe –  who is better: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
      They gave Clasicos a bit of extra spice for nine years and now as they prepare to face off in the Champions League this season, SunSport looks at how they compare in matches against each other.

      How Messi and Ronaldo compare in head-to-head battles

      The greatest managers of the modern era have had their say, fans have had their say and even former team-mates have waded in on the never-ending GOAT debate.
      So we thought we’d look past the trophies and accolades to see how they fared when they were in direct competition.
      The pair know each other well, of course, having gone toe to toe in dozens of El Clasico contests down the years.
      Not only would the rivals share the same pitch whenever Real Madrid played against Barcelona, but they would tussle for LaLiga supremacy season after season.

      El Clasico has always been more that just a football match to the clubs’ fans and having the two best players in the world took it to a different dimension.
      Ronaldo has gone up against Messi 35 times in total during his spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid as well as on the international stage.
      And fans will be treated to two more match ups this season with Ronaldo’s Juventus drawn in the same group as Barca for the Champions League.
      Barca’s all time leading goal-scorer pipped the former Los Blancos ace by three goals in all of their meetings – finding the back of the net 22 times.

      Ronaldo and Messi have enjoyed a career-long rivalry

      While Ronaldo may have three goals fewer, he holds the record for the scoring in the most consecutive Clasicos – in six consecutive games in 2012.
      Messi poetically netted his 500th goal for the Catalan giants against Real in a thriller in 2017, which also put Barca top of LaLiga.
      The Argentina ace famously celebrated by whipping off his No10 shirt and holding it aloft to the away support to prove why he is considered to be the greatest footballer of all time.
      Ronaldo later had to have his say too, of course.
      The next time he visited the Nou Camp and scored in the Supercopa de Espana final first leg in August 2017, he mimicked his great frenemy’s celebration by showing his No7 shirt to the crowd.
      In that same clash, Ronaldo’s night hit a sour note when he was shown a second yellow card for diving, which resulted in the forward PUSHING the referee.
      He had already been booked for taking his shirt off after mimicking Messi’s celebration.
      That has been the only red card shown to either hero in the duo’s 35 stand offs with Messi managing to keep his cool and escape with three fewer yellows than his arch-rival.

      Lionel Messi scored a last-minute winner to give Barcelona a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid in April 2017

      Cristiano Ronaldo showed the Nou Camp who was boss in his celebration
      Football is a results business so when it comes to score lines, the Argentine maestro leads the way.
      In the 35 matches, Messi has 16 wins, Ronaldo has ten and there have been nine draws.
      Ronaldo’s United got the better of Barcelona in the 2008 Champions League semi-finals with a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp and 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
      Messi and Co got their revenge a year later, winning the 2009 final 2-0 as Messi scored a header.
      That started a run of five consecutive wins for Messi over Ronaldo including a 5-0 Barca win and a 2-1 victory for Argentina over Portugal in an international friendly as both players found the net.
      Arguably their greatest contest came in the 2012/13 LaLiga campaign as both players scored twice in a 2-2 draw in Barcelona.
      The Portugal icon left Los Blancos for a new challenge at Juventus two years ago meaning their last meeting was way back in May 2018, another 2-2 draw.
      Messi has played his entire career so far for Barcelona but is set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.

      Brazil icon Pele waded in on the greatest of all time debate.
      The footballing legend reckons Messi is best player of this generation, just months after siding with arch-rival Ronaldo.
      Sun Sport brought to you what the superstars say about each other in the argument that divides football fans across the globe. 
      Pele might not be able to split them but in head-to-head battles Messi edges it.
      Now all eyes are on the European battles ahead this season as Ronaldo goes up against his long-term rival for the first time in a Juventus shirt.

      Arsenal legend Thierry Henry weighs in on Messi vs Ronaldo debate More

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      Dele Alli and Eriksen could be reunited at PSG as French giants eye transfers for Tottenham and Inter Milan outcasts

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      DELE ALLI and Christian Eriksen could be reunited after barely eight months apart as Paris Saint-Germain eye transfers for the outcasts, according to reports.
      Eriksen, 28, left Tottenham in the January transfer window to join Inter Milan on a four-year deal.

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      Christian Eriksen has emerged as a transfer target for Paris Saint-Germain before the window closesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But it has not worked out as planned for the Danish star under Antonio Conte and he finds himself back in the shop window, linked with a move away.

      He started the opening Serie A game of the season but only came on as a late substitute last time out against Benevento.
      According to journalist Nicolo Schira, PSG are showing interest in Eriksen and sporting director Leonardo has even spoken with his agent to enquire about a possible move.

      Inter are struggling for cash and know they need to raise funds through player sales in order to bring any new faces, such as target N’Golo Kante, in.
      For Dele, meanwhile, PSG are trying to land a deal to take the former MK Dons star to France.
      Reports suggest a £1.5million loan offer was rejected by Spurs but the Ligue 1 champions are expected to go back in with another bid for the 24-year-old.
      Jose Mourinho has left him out of the last two Premier League matchday squads but he did come off the bench to score an injury-time penalty against Maccabi Haifa on Thursday night.

      Despite being linked with both Eriksen and Alli, it is unlikely PSG would sign two attacking midfielders – especially with just days to go until the transfer window closes on Monday night.

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      Dele Alli is another player PSG are targeting but have been unable to reach an agreement with Tottenham yetCredit: Reuters

      Another playmaker PSG have been linked with is Houssem Aouar from Lyon.
      The Frenchman, 22, looked on course to join Arsenal but Thomas Tuchel’s side have reportedly made a late swoop to land him.

      Dele Alli AXED from Tottenham versus Chelsea in Carabao Cup with Mourinho stating everyone is in contention More

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      Man Utd midfielder Andreas Pereira has medical at Lazio after arriving in Italy to seal loan transfer

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      ANDREAS PEREIRA is undergoing his medical at Lazio ahead of a season-long loan move from Manchester United.
      The Brazilian has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford following the arrivals of Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek.

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      Andreas Pereira is on the brink of joining Lazio on loan from Man UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Serie A side Lazio appear to have pounced, with the 24-year-old pictured undergoing his medical in Rome.
      The Red Devils last night confirmed that Pereira is expected to initially join Simone Inzaghi’s side on loan for the 2020-21 campaign.
      Lazio will then have an option to make it permanent for £24million next summer.
      Pereira has made 75 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring four goals and assisting a further five.

      The one-cap international was a regular for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the first half of last season.
      But his place was taken by Fernandes after January, with Paul Pogba’s return from injury post-restart limiting his minutes even further.
      After last season’s June resumption, Pereira played just 36 minutes of Premier League football for the Red Devils.
      And he wasn’t even on their nine-man bench for the final three games.

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      Pereira has made 75 appearances for Manchester UnitedCredit: EPA

      While in Italy, Pereira will appear in this season’s Champions League.
      Lazio featured in yesterday’s group stage draw, being plucked out alongside Borussia Dortmund, Zenit St Petersburg and Club Brugge.
      Pereira is unlikely to be the last outgoing at Old Trafford prior to Monday’s deadline.
      With Red Devils chiefs remaining determined to sign Jadon Sancho from Dortmund, Daniel James could be on his way to Leeds on loan.
      Meanwhile Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo have been training away from the rest of the first-team as they look to secure transfers.
      Relegated to third-choice keeper, Sergio Romero could depart – while Juan Mata and Phil Jones may also leave the Theatre of Dreams.

      Solskjaer discusses Man Utd’s 3-0 win against Brighton in the Carabao Cup fourth round More

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      Man Utd plot last-gasp transfer for Atalanta winger Amad Traore after Jadon Sancho pursuit stalled

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are plotting a last-gasp transfer bid for Atalanta winger Amad Traore, according to reports.
      The Red Devils are desperate to land a new wide man before the summer transfer window closes on Monday.

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      Manchester United are in talks with Atalanta over teenage winger Amad TraoreCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And according to the Manchester Evening News, the club have identified Traore as a new target, with talks thought to be underway.
      However, the report adds that sources have said the deal is ‘not straightforward.
      Traore, 18, was born in Ivory Coast but moved to Italy at a young age.
      But if he does not have an Italian passport, that would mean he requires a work permit to get the transfer to Old Trafford which could prove difficult as he has no international caps.

      United are keen to get the deal done this summer before Premier League rules over signing young foreign talent changes after Brexit.
      On the pitch, Traore has been an unused sub in Atalanta’s first three Serie A games and his total playing time in Italy’s top flight totals just 30 minutes.
      Nevertheless, Atalanta will not allow their academy graduate – who joined the club in 2015 – to go on the cheap.
      He made his league debut in October 2019, coming off the bench against Udinese in the 79th minute and scored just four minutes later.

      Manchester clubs have the worst net spend in the past decade by some distance

      That goal ensured he became the first player born in 2002 to score in Serie A and also the youngest debutant to score on debut in the league, aged 17 years and 109 days old.
      The MEN add that Traore is not viewed as an alternative to United’s No1 transfer target throughout this summer window, Jadon Sancho.
      Despite a deal looking to be off the cards, SunSport revealed the Borussia Dortmund winger reckons a transfer could somehow get done in time – although that would rely on United stumping up the cash.
      Juventus star Douglas Costa, Watford’s Ismaila Sarr and Federico Chieso of Fiorentina were all linked as back-up options.
      But a deal to bring Ousmane Dembele to Old Trafford could happen with United in talks with Barcelona over a season-long loan for the Frenchman.
      So far the club have only brought in midfielder Donny van de Beek from Ajax for £39million.

      Simon Jordan discusses Man Utd’s reported new bid for Jadon Sancho More

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      Everton agree to send Moise Kean back to Juventus on loan with option for permanent £23m transfer after flopping in Prem

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      EVERTON flop Moise Kean is heading back to Juventus on loan ahead of a £23million permanent deal.
      The Italy striker reportedly wants to rejoin the Serie A champions ‘at any cost’ after 14 unsettled months in the Premier League.

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      Five-cap Italy striker Moise Kean is on the brink of rejoining Juventus from Everton, initially on loanCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And Italian Football TV claimed on Thursday evening a transfer “with an obligation to buy” the 20-year-old could be “finalized in the coming hours” .
      Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti is said to now back the deal, despite suggestions club chiefs hoped to sign a replacement first.
      Yet Juve have had to dig deep to fund the move as the coronavirus lockdown hit their finances hard.
      The Italian giants offloaded Blaise Matuidi, Miralem Pjanic and Gonzalo Higuain in the summer.

      So that mean Kean would be instantly pressing Paulo Dybala for his role as Cristiano Ronaldo’s strikepartner.

      Kean’s Everton career never took off but veered downwards fast in April when he breached coronavirus guidelines with a lockdown lap-dancing party.
      Goodison chiefs put out a statement saying: “Everton Football Club was appalled to learn of an incident in which a first-team player ignored government guidance and club policy in relation to the coronavirus crisis.

      “The club has strongly expressed its disappointment to the player and made it clear that such actions are completely unacceptable.”

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