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      Chris Smalling nears £18m Roma transfer after missing Man Utd pre-season to finalise deal following stunning loan spell

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      ROMA are reportedly on the verge of signing Manchester United defender Chris Smalling on a permanent basis.
      The centre-back, 30, has been absent from the Red Devils’ pre-season training this week while he finalises the move.

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      Chris Smalling, seen here with fellow former Red Romelu Lukaku, has been a star in Serie ACredit: Reuters
      According to the Telegraph, a deal is now close and expected to be worth in the region of £18million.
      Smalling has appeared at Carrington this month but is said to have not taken part in first-team sessions.
      Speculation over his future has persisted all summer, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer talking up the player’s “value” to United.
      Despite over 300 games for United and a tally of 31 caps for England, he was largely considered a spent force at the top-level when sent on loan to Roma a year ago.

      In 37 appearances for the Serie A side, Smalling showed he still has plenty left in the tank and became affectionately known as ‘Smaldini’ in Italy.
      A permanent stay in Rome has long been described as his preferred option.
      However, the Giallorossi are hardly flushed with cash and have been hard at work negotiating down United’s valuation.
      Aleksandar Kolarov was allowed to leave for Inter Milan this week and Alessandro Florenzi is nearing a loan-to-buy move to Paris-Saint Germain.

      It had appeared that Smalling had a future in Manchester after Solskjaer spoke of his encouragement at the defender’s loan spell.
      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.”

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      Juventus putting finishing touches to Luis Suarez contract and in advanced talks with Barcelona over discount transfer

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      JUVENTUS are reportedly putting the finishing touches on a lucrative contract for Luis Suarez.
      Spanish outlet AS claims the striker, 33, is closing in on a move to Turin after being axed by new Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman.

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      Juventus are closing in on a move for Barcelona striker Luis SuarezCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The Catalan club have just about managed to hold on to Lionel Messi.
      But a number of big names are being shown the door, with Arturo Vidal heading to Inter Milan and fellow midfielder Ivan Rakitic already sold to Sevilla.
      Suarez will be the next to leave the Nou Camp despite scoring 198 goals in just 283 games.

      And Juventus are said to be finalising a two-year deal worth £6million a season.
      But that could rise to a whopping £9m if certain bonuses are met.
      However, Juve are still in talks with Barca over a small transfer fee.
      And the LaLiga giants also have to settle Suarez’s final year of his Nou Camp contract.

      The Uruguay international must also take a ‘B1’ language exam in order to gain an Italian passport, which he is eligible for due to his wife being a citizen of the country.

      It’s believed Suarez will sit the exam on either the 16th or 23rd of September.
      If he gains an Italian passport, Suarez will arrive at Juventus as a replacement for Inter Miami-bound Gonzalo Higuain.
      Relations are good between Juve and Barca following the Arthur-Miralem Pjanic swap deal in June, and Suarez’s move is expected to go through smoothly.

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      Ex-Man City star Aleksandar Kolarov joins Inter Milan in £1.35m transfer from Roma on deal until 2021

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      FORMER Manchester City defender Aleksander Kolarov has joined Inter Milan from Roma in a deal worth £1.35 million.
      The 35-year-old left-back has left the Stadio Olympico after a three-year stay.

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      Kolarov is switching from one Italian club to another in a £1.35 million dealCredit: AFP or licensors
      He has signed a one-year contract with Antonio Conte’s side as they look to bounce back from defeat in the Europa League Final last month.
      There is the option of another season in the deal that has been tied up by his agent Alessandro Lucci.
      Kolarov enjoyed seven years at the Etihad, scoring 21 times in 247 games, before he was shipped abroad as part of Pep Guardiola defensive revamp.

      He featured regularly in his three years at Roma and will hope to get many minutes at his new club, who will be looking to challenge Juventus for the Serie A title next season.
      Inter praised his “motivation and discipline” in a statement announcing his arrival.
      It is the latest signing in what has been a busy summer for the Italian giants.

      Alexis Sanchez has joined on a free from Manchester United following a hit-and-miss season-long loan under former Chelsea gaffer Conte.

      The 31-year-old follows defender Achraf Hakimi who signed from Real Madrid in a five-year-deal worth £36million.
      They have also splashed the cash for Stefano Sensi after triggering an option to buy clause they put into place last summer.

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      Kolarov enjoyed a seven-year stay in ManchesterCredit: Getty – Contributor

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      Chelsea struggling to offload flop Tiemoue Bakayoko with Blues’ £31.7m transfer valuation putting off AC Milan

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      CHELSEA’S attempts to bring in cash to offset their summer spending spree are being hampered by AC Milan refusing to meet their asking price for Tiemoue Bakayoko.
      The Blues have splashed out in excess of £230million on signings ahead of the new season and are looking to recoup some cash by offloading their unwanted stars.

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      Tiemoue Bakayoko enjoyed a season-long loan spell at the San Siro for the 2018/19 campaignCredit: AFP or licensors
      Bakayoko, 26, is one they are desperate to flog with Milan willing buyers – but the club are stalling over meeting their £31.6m valuation.
      Chelsea want a £4.5m loan fee to cover this season with an option to buy next summer inserted for a further £27m.
      But Milan are working to a tight budget following the Covid-19 pandemic and say they will only go to £22.6m as the option price, bringing the total value of the deal just over £27m.
      French club Lyon had been interested but it is believed Bakayoko prefers a return to Milan, where he spent the 2018/19 season on loan.

      Chelsea believe they can reach an agreement with Milan over the coming weeks but the deadlock is delaying their plans to start bringing in money with player sales.
      Having wrapped up the signings of Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz, Frank Lampard still has his eyes on two more players before the window closes.
      The club is close to reaching an agreement with Rennes for the £18m capture of Rennes goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
      That would see him rival Kepa Arrizabalaga for the position as first choice with the Blues so far unable to find anyone prepared to pay up to £50m for the Spanish stopper.

      West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is another in Lampard’s sights but Chelsea may need to sell more stars to finance a deal with their London rivals valuing the England star at £80m.

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      Palermo captain Alessandro Martinelli forced to retire aged just 27 due to heart issues after extensive tests

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      PALERMO captain Alessandro Martinelli has been forced to retire at just 27 due to heart issues.
      The Swiss star has had to call time on his career after spending only a year at Palermo as medical tests told him it was “impossible” to continue playing.

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      Palermo star Alessandro MartinelliCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Alessandro Martinelli has been hailed as an ‘extraordinary moral character’ by Palermo as he retiresCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The 27-year-old midfielder had been preparing to begin the new season but extensive testing revealed he had anomalous cardiac readings, reports Football Italia.
      Serie C Palermo paid tribute to him in a club statement.
      They said: “The in-depth medical tests that Alessandro Martinelli underwent over the last few weeks have unfortunately shown it is impossible for him to continue his playing career.

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      Palermo captain Alessandro Martinelli has retired age 27Credit: Getty Images – Getty

      “Everyone at Palermo expresses their deep regret and holds Martinelli close, for he was one of the most impressive protagonists of the Rosanero rebirth and a leader, both on and off the field, thanks to his extraordinary moral character, as well as undoubted sporting talent.”

      Martinelli has previously played for Sampdoria, Venezia, Modena and Brescia before moving to Palermo in the summer of 2019.
      He lead the side to promotion last season after the phoenix club were placed in Serie D following the original Palermo going bust a year ago. More

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      Barcelona star Arturo Vidal ‘demands £5.3m payoff to leave’ after being made to train alone ahead of transfer

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      ARTURO VIDAL wants Barcelona to pay him for the remaining year on his contract before he leaves the club, according to reports.
      The Chilean midfielder is closing in on a move to Inter Milan after being told he does not fit into the plans of new Barca boss Ronald Koeman.

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      Arturo Vidal wants a £5.3million payoff from BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors
      But according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Vidal is demanding Barcelona first pay him the £5.3million he would be due if he saw out his contract, which expires in 2021.
      Although Vidal’s request has delayed a move to Inter, boss Antonio Conte is confident the deal will be completed.
      The 33-year-old will sign a two-year contract at the San Siro, with the option of a third.
      However, Inter have made it clear they will not pay a transfer fee for Vidal after discovering he has been frozen out by Koeman.

      Further discussions with Barcelona are expected to take place tomorrow in an effort to speed up his departure.
      Vidal also believes he is owed an additional £2.1million in bonuses which could hold up any agreement.
      A move to Inter would see Vidal reunite with Conte, who has made no secret of his desire to work with the mohawked midfielder again following their time together at Juventus.
      Provided negotiations are concluded swiftly, Vidal is expected to complete his medical with the Nerazzurri some time next week.

      Vidal looks set to be the latest casualty of the Barcelona rebuilding job, following the departure of Ivan Rakitic last week, while Luis Suarez is also on the chopping block.
      Suarez and Vidal trained away from the rest of the first-team squad yesterday, with the Uruguayan reportedly closing in on a move to Juventus.
      One man who won’t be leaving the Camp Nou this summer is Lionel Messi, after the Argentine completed a dramatic transfer U-turn by announcing he would be staying at Barcelona.

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      Zlatan Ibrahimovic brands Swedish football a ‘f***ing joke’ in Twitter attack after 1-0 Nations League defeat to France

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has ripped into Sweden boss Janne Andersson for benching Dejan Kulusevski in the 1-0 defeat to France on Saturday.
      The AC Milan striker took to Twitter where he expressed his anger after Les Bleus emerged victorious in the Nations League clash.

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      Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic ripped into Janne Andersson after the 1-0 defeat against FranceCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Juventus midfielder Kulusevski came on for the last 20 minutes against the world champions, with the player stating he was shocked to not be in the starting XI.
      His comments then drew a surprised reaction from Andersson, which led Ibrahimovic to quote tweet an article from Swedish news outlet Aftonbladet.
      The 38-year-old raged: “What a f****** joke. Further proof.
      “Incompetent people in the wrong positions smothering Swedish football.”

      Speaking after the loss, Kulusevski was asked whether he was given enough time to impress, he said: “No, no, I don’t think so.
      “I was shocked. It felt really, really good in training.
      “But unfortunately, that’s how football is.”
      Commenting on Kulusevski’s reaction, Andersson told reporters: “I haven’t spoken to him afterwards but if he has said it then that is clearly his opinion.

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      Dejan Kulusevski was limited to just 20 minutes in the match against Les BleusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      “We’ll have to talk about it. I haven’t experienced him as being very shocked.
      “He has done well in the training session, as have many others.
      “We will see if there will be more playing time on Tuesday. He has great qualities and is a great player and will grow into this eventually.”

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      AC Milan in pole position to land Real Madrid flop Luka Jovic as back up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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      AC MILAN have reportedly bid to take Luka Jovic on loan from Real Madrid after the Serb’s nightmare debut season in Spain.
      A tally of just two goals in 27 appearances was hardly befitting of a striker who cost over £50million when signing from Eintracht Frankfurt last summer.

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      Luka Jovic may not stay in Madrid after struggling in his debut campaignCredit: Getty – Contributor

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      Zlatan Ibrahimovic turns 39 in October and will need back-upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And Jovic’s future is up in the air as Real consider shuffling their pack for the new season.
      According to Tuttosport, Los Blancos are pondering a loan offer from Milan.
      The two clubs have recently been in contact over Brahim Diaz’s temporary switch to the San Siro, allowing Milan to discuss Jovic’s situation.
      Having first been keen on the 22-year-old when Ralf Rangnick was set to take over as coach, coach Stefano Pioli is now thought to also be interested in bringing him in.

      A forward such as Jovic is seen as key for Milan to challenge on both the domestic and European front next season.
      Particularly with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic turning 39 in a month.

      The Swede returned to the club in January and extended his contract for another year in the week.
      After forking out for Brescia starlet Sandro Tonali, the Rossoneri are expected to resort to loan deals for the rest of the window.

      Former Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko is reportedly on their radar, as well as Federico Chiesa of Fiorentina.

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