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      Mauricio Pochettino is becoming football’s forgotten man after Barcelona and Juventus rejection

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      WHEN Juventus fired Maurizio Sarri last week, they were widely reported to want Mauricio Pochettino as their next head coach.
      But those ‘expert’ predictions had barely made it online before the Italian Champions appointed club legend Andrea Pirlo.

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      Mauricio Pochettino was overlooked by both Barcelona and Juventus
      The same thing happened the other day, when Barcelona reacted to their Champions League humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich by sacking coach Quique Setien.
      Once again we were reliably informed that Pochettino was top of their wanted list — until it was announced that Ronald Koeman would be taking over at the Nou Camp.
      Poch, it seems, had barely registered in the thoughts of two of football’s biggest clubs before being passed over.
      And now the out-of-work Argentine must be wondering exactly when his big chance is going to come.

      It is more than nine months since he left Tottenham with a £12million pay-off.
      So at least he’s not short of a few bob as he awaits his next opportunity.
      But all those elite manager’s jobs which were supposed to be awaiting him have yet to materialise.
      And we’re rapidly approaching the point where Poch is in danger of becoming the forgotten man of football.

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      Juventus appointed club legend Andrea Pirlo as their new manager
      The Argentine Alan Curbishley, if you like.
      Pochettino could never have envisaged such a situation when he was dismissed by Spurs last November.
      After all, hadn’t he worked a minor miracle during his five years in North London?
      Surely he was destined for the very top after leading Tottenham to second place in the 2016-17 campaign — their highest Premier League finish — and to last season’s Champions League final while working to a limited budget.
      The general consensus at the time was that he was all set to replace struggling Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United.
      Yet just when it seemed the writing was on the Old Trafford walls for Ole, he seized the wheel to turn the United ship around, aided by the signing of £55million man Bruno Fernandes and a s***-load of penalties.
      Now we’re being told it’s actually Manchester City who are lining up Pochettino, if Pep Guardiola decides he wants a new challenge.

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      Ronald Koeman replaced Quique Setien at Barcelona
      But that’s a big ‘if’, because Guardiola still has a year of his Etihad contract to run and Sheikh Mansour is doing everything in his considerable power to secure a new deal.
      And even if Guardiola does leave City next summer, can Pochettino really afford to wait that long?
      Football club owners, like goldfish, tend to have very short memories and Poch’s previous achievements are rapidly fading into the mists of time.
      He needs to make his managerial return sooner rather than later but if you look across Europe’s elite teams, it’s the same tale of blocked roads.
      Former club Paris Saint-Germain aren’t going to be sacking Thomas Tuchel after getting to Sunday’s Champions League final.And Zinedine Zidane looks equally secure at Real Madrid.
      Bayern Munich are in love with new boss Hansi Flick and none of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’ will be in the market for a new boss any time soon.
      Even Newcastle have had to curb their fanciful big-time ambitions after the collapse of their proposed Saudi-backed takeover.

      So that leaves maybe one of the lesser French, German or Italian teams — but none who would be regarded as a step up from Spurs, nor able to pay him the £170,000 a week he was getting in his previous job.
      At 48, Pochettino is far from finished and surely it’s only a matter of time before his star is back in the ascendancy.
      But the anticipated stampede of clubs beating a path to his door has not transpired and that must be a painful blow to his self-esteem.

      Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman says he doesn’t know if he has to convince Messi to stay More

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      Chelsea blow as PSG icon Thiago Silva, 35, ‘agrees £70k-a-week Fiorentina transfer and begins house hunting in Florence’

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      CHELSEA have been dealt a transfer blow with Thiago Silva agreeing a £70,000-a-week deal at Fiorentina, according to reports.
      The Blues were linked with a move for the veteran Brazilian defender.

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      Thiago Silva has been linked with a move to Fiorentina with his PSG contract expiring after the Champions League finalCredit: AFP or licensors
      With his contract at Paris Saint-Germain expiring after the Champions League final, he could have provided some much-needed experience to Frank Lampard’s defence.
      Chelsea were reportedly offered Silva and were planning to open talks over a two-year deal.
      Arsenal, who are set to sign Gabriel Magalhaes, and Everton, managed by Carlo Ancelotti, were also linked.
      But according to Corriere dello Sport, Silva, 35, is on his way to Fiorentina.

      He is on course to take a major pay cut, too.
      The PSG legend, who has broken records galore during his eight years at the Ligue 1 giants, is set to slash his weekly cheque from £325,000 to £70,000.
      On top of that, the reports suggest he has even started house hunting in Florence to help smooth the transition if he does complete the switch.
      Silva lived in Italy during his time with AC Milan between 2009 and 2012.

      It is thought Franck Ribery has been key in trying to lure Silva to Fiorentina, who have one of the youngest squads in Europe’s top-five leagues.
      So the Brazilian would again add plenty of trophy-winning quality and know-how as he looks to end his career where he has enjoyed so much success.

      Speaking earlier this week, the Brazilian said: “I have already said a lot of times before I wanted to, that I want to finish here in Europe.
      “A decision was taken, now things are calm in my head.
      “It will be in another club, but my heart will stay here.”

      Thiago Silva trains hard with fellow players at PSG workout More

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      Man Utd transfer target Douglas Costa available for just £18m after Juventus boss Pirlo tells him he’s not in his plans

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      MANCHESTER United target Douglas Costa is available for just £18million, according to reports.
      The injury-plagued Brazilian spent much of last season on the treatment table and managed just three goals in 29 appearances.

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      Juventus are reportedly willing to sell Douglas Costa for a cut-price £18m which could alert Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      With two years left on his current deal at Juventus, new boss Andrea Pirlo has told the winger he is not part of his plans.
      And Tuttosport report that Manchester United remain interested in Costa.
      The 29-year-old was bought by Juve for around £36m in 2018 and was the subject of interest from United last year, with reports of an offer of around £54m.
      But the Old Lady rebuffed the Red Devils’ approach, believing he could kick on to become an integral part of the side for many years.

      However, his constant injury problems and the fresh approach from Pirlo mean he could be sold on the cheap instead.
      And that could spell good news for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      The Old Trafford boss still has Jadon Sancho as his No1 transfer target as he looks to bring in a new winger.

      There was even a suggestion Costa and Alex Sandro could be used as makeweights in a deal for Paul Pogba to return to Juventus.
      As well as Costa, though, United have identified Bournemouth star David Brooks as another alternative if they cannot land Sancho.
      However, Barcelona duo Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati look to be off the cards.

      David Brooks transfer will cost £40million as Solskjaer identifies Jadon Sancho alternative More

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      South Korea’s investigation into Cristiano Ronaldo ‘no show’ in Juventus friendly put on hold as police await data

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      AN INVESTIGATION into Cristiano Ronaldo’s failure to play in a friendly in South Korea last year has been put on hold.
      South Korean officials began to look into allegations of fraud after complaints over Juventus’ decision not to play the winger against K-League All Stars.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo remained on the bench for the July 2019 as the sides drew 3-3Credit: AFP or licensors

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      Thousands of fans turned out in the South Korean capital just to see the superstar strikerCredit: AFP or licensors
      It is alleged that the promoter behind the match, The Fasta Inc, had obliged the Serie A giants to play Ronaldo for at least 45 minutes
      Instead, the veteran star sat out the entirety of the pre-season fixture on Juve’s tour of Asia in July 2019.
      A muscle injury was blamed at the time with Ronaldo subjected to chants of “Messi, Messi” from furious local fans.
      The Portuguese forward also suffered an online backlash, as well as the anger of the 65,000 paying fans in Seoul.

      A lawsuit and criminal investigation were launched before prosecutors had to shelve their inquiries.
      According to KBS, Seoul officials announced on Thursday the pause is down to a request to Italian authorities for corresponding data on the episode.
      GOING NOWHERE FASTA
      The investigation into both Juventus and The Fasta is on hold until the Italian data, reportedly requested earlier in the year, arrives.
      Kick-off in the ill-fated friendly was also delayed by an hour and fans have been awarded compensation for the no-show.

      Two South Korean fans were each paid £237 after a district court in Incheon deemed they had suffered “mental anguish” from the saga.
      Several other attendees are said to have pushed ahead with court action, with Myungan attorney Kim Hun-ki telling AFP that as many as 2,000 fans had been in contact with him after the friendly.

      I spoke to Andrea Agnelli and Ronaldo before the game and we concluded that it’d be best to rest him.
      Maurizio Sarri

      Kim said: “Many purchased tickets to see Ronaldo. The Fasta publicised that the company had a deal with Juventus which stipulated Ronaldo would play for at least 45 minutes and that Ronaldo would hold a fan signing event.
      “Normally in such cases the plaintiffs will be refunded the price of the tickets, but I put this under a special case since the company, through false advertising, took advantage of the football star’s fans.”
      The Fasta CEO Robin Chang declared at the time that she had complained to Juve chief Pavel Nedved, with then-coach Maurizio Sarri admitting the decision to rest Ronaldo was taken pre-game.

      She said: “When I went to argue with Nedved, the vice president of Juventus, all he said was ‘I also wish Ronaldo ran, but he doesn’t want to. Sorry, there’s nothing I can do’. I was so frustrated.”
      Sarri said: “I spoke to Andrea Agnelli and Ronaldo before the game and we concluded that it’d be best to rest him.”
      The Fasta are also reportedly in hot water over overseas gambling companies advertisements displayed during the game, contrary to local law.

      Cristiano Ronaldo no longer ‘untouchable’ at Juventus and could be sold for £54m with Paris Saint-Germain considering shock transfer More

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      Felipe Anderson seeking transfer away from West Ham after being sidelined by David Moyes

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      FELIPE ANDERSON is considering his future at West Ham over fears that he is going to be sidelined by David Moyes.
      The £41million Brazilian winger has barely featured since Moyes replaced Manuel Pellegrini at the London Stadium in December.

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      Felipe Anderson is considering his West Ham future
      And he is open to the possibility of a return to former club Lazio if he is not going to figure in the manager’s plans for the new season.
      Lazio are in the market for a new playmaker after David Silva changed his mind about joining them in favour of a move to Real Sociedad this week.
      But the Italians do not want to repay more than half of the fee they received from West Ham when Anderson moved to the London Stadium in what was then a club record deal in July 2018.

      And West Ham are in no position to take a major hit on the 27-year-old forward who still has two years to run on his contract.

      Anderson became an instant fans’ favourite after signing for Pellegrini, scoring ten goals in his debut season and helping the club to a top ten finish.

      But he lost his way last term, scoring just once and only starting four League games under Moyes as West Ham struggled to avoid relegation.
      He was not helped by a persistent hamstring injury but even when he was fit and available generally found himself playing second fiddle to Michael Antonio, Jarrod Bowen and Pablo Fornals.
      Now Moyes is open to his departure at the right price, with clubs in Italy, France and Spain all being made aware of his availability.

      David Silva wears Real Sociedad shirt for first time More

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      Five Man Utd ‘rejects’ play in Champions League and Europa finals this week… SunSport looks at the ones who got away

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      MANCHESTER UNITED do not feature in a Euro final this weekend — but some of their old boys do. 
      Here SunSport explores the ones who got away from Old Trafford to make  a name elsewhere.

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      Former Manchester United pair Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young at Inter Milan

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      PSG’s Angel Di Maria and Ander Herrera are former United players
      ANDER HERRERA
      United wrestled Herrera out of Athletic Bilbao for £28.8million in 2014.
      A five-year stint saw him scoop the club’s Player of the Year  in 2016-17, the same season they won the League Cup and the Europa League — where he was also man of the match in the final.
      But the summer 2017 arrival of Nemanja Matic meant fewer starts and  Herrera, now 31, joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free in July 2019.

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      United wrestled Herrera out of Athletic Bilbao for £28.8million in 2014Credit: Getty Images

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      Herrera joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free in July 2019Credit: Getty Images
      ANGEL DI MARIA
      Much was expected when Louis van Gaal paid Real Madrid £59.7m for the Argie star in 2014. 

      It started well, scoring a few goals early on — including a superb chip in a 5-3 loss at Leicester.
      He struggled to settle in the North West and his early form fell away, with one goal in the second half of the season — at Yeovil in the FA Cup.
      That July he did not board United’s pre-season flight to the US and joined PSG days later. 

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      Much was expected when Louis van Gaal paid Real Madrid £59.7m for Di Maria in 2014Credit: Getty Images

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      In July 2015 Di Maria did not board United’s pre-season flight to the US and joined PSG days laterCredit: Getty Images
      ROMELU LUKAKU
      United sprang a surprise in summer 2017 when they pipped Chelsea to the £75m signing of Lukaku from Everton. 
      Ten goals in his first nine games broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s club record. 
      The Belgian went on to rack up 27 overall  in his first season  but after Jose Mourinho’s axe in December 2018 he never really won over Ole  Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Lukaku, 27, joined Inter Milan for £73m last summer and has scored 33 goals for them so far.

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      United sprang a surprise in summer 2017 when they pipped Chelsea to the £75m signing of Lukaku from EvertonCredit: Getty Images

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      Lukaku joined Inter Milan for £73m last  summer and has scored 33 goals for them so farCredit: Getty Images
      ASHLEY YOUNG
      Joined from Aston Villa for a fee of around £16m in 2011.
      He was one of Alex Ferguson’s last buys, playing his part in his last title win in 2013 and converting to a left-back along the way. 
      Inter came in last  January and, after more than eight years  and 260-plus appearances, the club let him go.
      Young, 35, has four goals and four assists for the Italians.

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      Young spent more than eight years  and made 260-plus appearances for United Credit: Getty Images

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      Inter came in last January and signed Young Credit: Getty Images

      ALEXIS SANCHEZ
      The Old Trafford club  signed the striker  in January 2018, giving him the No 7 shirt and wages around   £500,000   per   week. 
      Yet boss Jose Mourinho struggled to get a tune out of him and it was no better with Ole.
      He scored just three Premier League goals before leaving for Inter on loan last August and completing a permanent deal this month.

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      Alexis Sanchez scored just three Premier League goals before  leaving for Inter on loanCredit: Getty Images

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      Sanchez completed a permanent deal this month

      Man Utd wage bill revealed with Dean Henderson set to take home same amount as Bruno Fernandes after new contract More

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      Luis Suarez could link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus after Barcelona put him on transfer list

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      LUIS SUAREZ could link up with Cristiano Ronaldo as Juventus are reportedly interested in signing him.
      The Catalans are planning a major overhaul after their humiliating Champions League exit and the Uruguayan is one of the stars they would be happy to let go.

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      Juventus are interested in signing Luis Suarez from Barcelona

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      He could link up with Juve superstar Cristiano Ronaldo if he makes the move
      The 33-year-old has one season left on his contract but has a clause which automatically triggers a year extension if he plays 60 per cent of Barca’s games next campaign.
      But Juventus are planning on moving for him this summer, according to Italian outlet TuttoMercato.
      Ex-Arsenal star Marc Overmars is also said to be working hard to bring Suarez back to his old club Ajax.

      And David Beckham’s Inter Miami have also been linked.

      Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted: “Keep an eye on Luis Suarez situation.
      “He has not been mentioned by the president Bartomeu between the ‘untouchables’ and Barça would be ready to sell him if they’ll receive an ‘important bid’.”
      Despite the interest, Suarez wants to stay at the Nou Camp for another year, according to Ovacion.
      Barca were thrashed 8-2 by Bayern Munich last Friday night as they crashed out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage.

      Quique Setien was sacked and has already been replaced with Ronald Koeman.
      And Lionel Messi reportedly demanded a transfer away from Barcelona this summer.
      A mass exodus is now planned after the rout highlighted deep rooted issues at the Nou Camp.
      It is said the Barca hierarchy consider Inter star Lautaro Martinez as a suitable replacement to Suarez – and he would also be cheaper.
      Only seven “untouchables” are said to be safe from the planned cull this summer.
      Messi, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Clement Lenglet, Nelson Semedo, Frenkie De Jong, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele are not for sale.

      While future talents Ansu Fati and Riqui Puig are also said to be off limits to other clubs.
      Club legend Gerard Pique has offered to leave for the good of the club.
      Suarez finished the 2019/20 campaign with 21 goals and 12 assists in 36 games in all competitions.

      PSG boss Tuchel rows with RB Leipzig coach after ‘f***ing pussy’ jibe during Champions League clash More

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      Arsenal outcast Sokratis wanted in Roma transfer as Italians look at alternatives to Man Utd defender Chris Smalling

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      ROMA are considering a move for Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos, according to reports.
      Italian media have named the Greek defender as a possible alternative to Chris Smalling, who remains the Serie A side’s primary target this summer.

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      Sokratis Papastathopoulos has been stuck on the Arsenal bench under Mikel ArtetaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Chris Smalling is wanted for a permanent stay in the Italian capitalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Stumping up the £20million fee for Manchester United loanee Smalling is proving tough for Roma, requiring them to look elsewhere.
      And the Giallorossi are drawn to Sokratis, according to Corriere dello Sport via Sport Witness.
      Mikel Arteta has dropped the Greek centre-back down his pecking order since arriving in North London.
      Sokratis has been afforded just one Premier League start under the coach, as a makeshift right-back in the March victory over West Ham.

      And, at 32 with just a year left on his contract, a sale may be tempting for Arsenal.
      Recently purchased by American billionaire Daniel Friedkin, Roma are still thought to be pushing for United man Smalling.

      The 30-year-old starred in a loan spell at the Stadio Olimpico this season and reportedly wants to remain in Italy.
      Inter Milan and Newcastle are also understood to be monitoring his situation.

      But, a surprise reprieve at Old Trafford is not off the table with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer talking up the Englishman’s “value” to United earlier in the summer.

      The manager stated: “I think Chris has shown over his Manchester United career how valuable he is at Manchester United.
      “This season was about him being a regular and going to Roma and showing how good a centre-back he is, I wanted to give Harry [Maguire], Victor [Lindelof] and maybe Axel [Tuanzebe] a chance.
      “It was best for him to go and play for a year in Roma and he has shown he will be valuable, I’ve been speaking to Chris throughout. I’ve been delighted with his season.”

      Chris Smalling says he has no regrets about joining Roma More