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    Forgotten Liverpool star demands Serie A contract be RIPPED UP as he says ‘I don’t want another €1 from you’

    FORMER Liverpool star Luis Alberto has delivered a damning verdict on Lazio and demanded his contract is RIPPED UP.Alberto, 31, has been at the Italian outfit since 2016 after leaving the Reds.Luis Alberto has declared that he wants to terminate his contract at LazioCredit: RexAlberto left Liverpool in 2016Credit: PA:Press AssociationHowever, the midfielder is now looking for pastures new after asking to club to terminate his contract.Speaking to DAZN after a 4-1 win over Salernita on Friday, he said: “The last few weeks have been difficult for me. “I don’t know what the project is going to be, but I can say that I will certainly not be part of the project for next season.”I already asked the club to terminate my contract, I do not want to take one more Euro from Lazio. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I think it is only right now to step aside. “This club has given me so much, but the time has come to step aside and leave it to others.”Alberto is under contract until 2027.Liverpool will be owed 30 per cent of any fee Lazio get for Alberto.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe has made 302 appearances for the Rome-based club, scoring 51 goals and adding 76 assists.Things have not gone to plan for the club this season, with the team sitting in seventh in the Serie A table.Footballers you didn’t know were related from Premier League icons to Lionel Messi More

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    Man Utd ‘face £37m loss as Inter Milan target shock cut-price transfer for Aaron Wan-Bissaka’

    MANCHESTER UNITED will suffer a £37MILLION loss if Aaron Wan-Bissaka leaves for Inter Milan this summer.Inter are reportedly eyeing a £13million price tag on the Old Trafford full-back.The sale of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to Inter will result in a mammoth financial loss for UnitedCredit: GettyWan-Bissaka, 26, will kick off United’s summer clear-out after making 13 Premier League starts this season.He has seen his campaign disrupted by injury, missing 12 games in total due to hamstring issues.Wan-Bissaka remains a fan-favourite, but he has reportedly been deemed surplus to requirements, despite the lack of fit defenders at United.His contract is set to expire in 2025 after the club activated the option to extend his contract in January.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut United – who bought Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace for £50m in 2019 – are set to lose a staggering £37m if his move to Italy goes ahead.According to Italian news outlet Calciomercato, Inter chiefs will pay no more than £13m to acquire his services.That is roughly half the fee they hope to receive if Inter sell Denzel Dumfries in the summer following stalled contract talks. The Serie A side did reportedly offer Dumfries to United in a swap deal in January, but this was rejected.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERDumfries, 27, remains one of the best attacking right-backs in Europe following his five league assists and three goals this season.But the Nerazzurri are aware of the growing interest in their starman and they will not let Dumfries go for less than £43.5million.Dumfries’ current deal also runs out in 2025 and the defender has been on United’s radar for some time.Wan-Bissaka is one of 11 stars reportedly on the chopping block following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s 27.7 per cent £1.03bn partial takeover.Casemiro becomes fan favourite at CHELSEA as video of Man Utd star being ‘thoroughly nice’ to Blues supporters emergesElsewhere, Chelsea are additionally interested in Dumfries coming to Stamford Bridge this summer.The ongoing injury crisis around Blues captain Reece James has forced Mauricio Pochettino to consider bringing in reinforcements.Meanwhile, despite making a total of 181 appearances for United, Wan-Bissaka has never made a senior England appearance. Harry Maguire – from Man Utd comedy figure to Ten Hag’s last hopeBy Neil Custis
    THIS time last year Harry Maguire accepted his future lay away from Manchester United — with boss Erik ten Hag happy for him to leave.Now, Ten Hag has identified the England centre-half as the man to rescue United’s sorry season.Maguire certainly wasn’t seen as so key last term when Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw — when United played a back-three — were ahead in the pecking order.The ignominy of having the captain’s armband taken off him in the summer and handed to Bruno Fernandes felt like the final straw.But before a proposed £30million move to West Ham could go through, a deeply hurt Maguire wanted a £15m payout from United and was not going to budge.Neither would United and it looked like he was heading for footballing oblivion.That was to underestimate the Sheffield-born player, who was determined to show his steel and prove his detractors wrong.Through the ups and downs, trials and tribulations of this season, he can come out with his head held high, having constantly stepped up to the plate as injuries have ravaged the back four.All of the four players mentioned ­previously are in the treatment room.Maguire, 31, has been there himself but tries to play through the knocks, pulls and strains.His experience will be even more important with 19-year-old Willy Kambwala alongside him at Bournemouth today — as he was in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.And Maguire now has Ten Hag’s praise ringing in his ears.The United manager said: “We were always very happy with Harry Maguire but he wants to play.“He’s a great leader, he’s a very good defender, very comfortable on the ball and I count all of those abilities. We have had problems with our defensive line so he is even more important to lead that line, to make us play from the back.“We are very pleased he is there and we need him to get our results and achieve our targets.”
    Read Neil Custis’ full column here… More

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    How one league could have staggering SIX teams in Champions League next season – and currently on course to do so

    SERIE A are looking poised to enter SIX teams in the Champions League next season.In the reformatted edition of next season’s competition, two countries will be given an extra group-stage place.UEFA have revamped next season’s competition to keep it entertaining and more competitiveCredit: ReutersUnder the new rules, two leagues can earn an extra position in the Champions LeagueCredit: RexBut there is a way the Serie A could enter a SIXTH team after Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over LiverpoolCredit: RexItaly are poised to receive an additional Champions League place as one of two countries with the best Uefa co-efficient.Places will be assigned to the associations with the best collective performance – classed as their coefficient – by their clubs in Europe this season.The Italians – who have four teams left in Europe – are frontrunners to profit from the rule change that has come about ahead of the competition’s expansion to 36 teams.This means fifth place is set to qualify – which will currently benefit Roma – who have become somewhat Europa League staples.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSHowever, there is also a way in which Italy could enter a SIXTH team into the Champions League.That is if Roma or Atalanta win the Europa League AND finish outside the top four in Serie A.Atalanta currently sit sixth and stormed to a shocking 3-0 victory over favourites Liverpool in the Europa League first leg quarter-final at Anfield.An Atalanta European triumph would free up another Champions League spot for an Italian club, as the additional place only applies to a team’s domestic league finish.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe extra spot will not go to the Champions League or Europa League winners as they automatically qualify.In theory, Roma or Atalanta would be excluded from the list and bump the spot down to seventh place in Serie A.This means a seventh place finish in the Serie A could land Champions League football, if both the winners of the Champions League and Europa League are Italian clubs that finish outside of the top four.However, Uefa have not entirely clarified the way the extra spot will be assigned regarding the Europa League victor.Work out which global sporting icon lives in this waterside padIt is therefore possible the clubs will ask for further clarification before going into the final, especially considering it is very tight in the race for a top five spot in Serie A.Italy sit top with a coefficient of 18.714, with England – on 16.928 – now behind Germany on 16.875. Bayer Leverkusen’s first-leg 2-0 victory over West Ham and Liverpool’s heavy home defeat has changed the complexion on the coefficients.Aston Villa are in a commanding position in the Europa Conference League with their 2-1 win at home to Lille, while Arsenal and Manchester City’s Champions League ties could still go either way.How the coefficient looks after the Europe’s first-leg quarter finals More

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    Watch tense moment AC Milan star Rafael Leao blasts ‘do your job’ at journalist after Europa League clash

    AC MILAN star Rafael Leao was involved in a heated blast with a journalist following AC Milan’s Europa League loss to Roma. The Italian giants were beaten by their league rivals 1-0 in the quarter-final first leg at the San Siro. Rafael Leao was involved in a heated blast with a journalistCredit: calciomercatoitLeao was captured walking past the mix zone following the loss when he told a reporter: “Do your job well.”It is unknown what caused the Portuguese star’s outburst. Leao was taken off along with ex-Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic in a tactical decision manager Stefano Pioli was forced to defend. He said: “Pulisic and Leao have confidence. Players like them, even on a difficult evening, can make an important play. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I made the changes when I thought it was right.” Pioli recently raised eyebrows when he gave a bizarre response when asked if Leao and Theo Hernandez were back to their best. He said: “Yes. Out of necessity Theo had made himself available to play as a central defender and in my opinion he did it brilliantly.“On the wing they hear each other, they smell each other, they know each other, they kiss each other, I kiss them too when they score a goal.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe added: “I think Theo had difficulty last year in getting over the disappointment of the World Cup final, the fatigue of the World Cup in that period.“This year when we restarted the season I found him to be very positive, very proactive.’That’s you out for Soccer Aid then’, say fans as Michael Owen tripped up his own dog in hilarious footage “He has become a leader of this team, he doesn’t talk much.“The games he played as a central defender made him understand how much more attentive and active he can be in the defensive phase.“He has such great potential that he absolutely must continue like this.” More

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    Ademola Lookman was TOO dedicated and had to be dragged off training ground as a kid – now he’s Atalanta’s star man

    ADEMOLA LOOKMAN has worked hard to get to where he has in football — at times, maybe even a little too hard.The Nigeria star, born in Wandsworth, London, club-hopped to better himself and takes on Liverpool on Thursday as one of Atalanta’s best players.Lookman has been a shining light at AtalantaCredit: GettyHe earned a move to Charlton at the age of 16Credit: PA:Empics SportEx-Everton winger Lookman was only spotted by Charlton at 16 in Sunday league football — perhaps this led to his pursuit for self-improvement.And there have been moments when he has had to be persuaded to curb his enthusiasm in training so as not to impact his matchday displays.That was the case during his loan spell three years ago at Fulham, where he was a rare shining light in a season that ended in Premier League relegation.Stuart Gray, Scott Parker’s No 2 at the Cottagers that term, told SunSport: “He’s one of the most dedicated professionals I’ve seen who just wanted to work hours and hours on the training pitch.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He was first in the building and would leave when the staff did.“The biggest thing was trying to educate him that Saturday when we played was most important. We had to drag him off the training ground!“He would stay back for hours working on technical work, taking free-kicks, crossing or shooting.“It was a case of restricting the time he wanted out on the training pitch, the amount of shots he would take, to make sure he had enough energy for us at the weekend.Most read in FootballStuart Gray coached Lookman at FulhamCredit: RexCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“It was knackering for our goalkeeper who had to face him!”Lookman, now 26, sealed an £11million switch to Everton in January 2017.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersHe netted on his Toffees debut in a 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City — which remains Pep Guardiola’s heaviest defeat in the Premier League — but left for RB Leipzig two years later for £22.5m.Limited game-time saw back-to-back loans to Fulham and Leicester.But it is at Atalanta where the former England Under-21 star has blossomed.Lookman boasts 24 goals in 64 games for the Serie A side and outshone Napoli’s £100m-rated striker Victor Osimhen in the recent Africa Cup of Nations, with Nigeria finishing runners-up.Italy seems to suit his style, while Atalanta chief Gian Piero Gasperini uses him well in the three positions behind the striker, exploiting his relentless pressing, cool finishing and devastating ability in one-on-one situations.Lookman could be on the move again this summer, as Atalanta tend to sell their stars, like Rasmus Hojlund, who moved to Manchester United in a £72m deal in July.Napoli have been touted as a possible destination and a bid of £20m could convince Atalanta to part with the Londoner.Gray, 63, remembers a shy lad who let his football do the talking at Fulham.He said: “He’s become physically stronger. His brain seems to be working quicker, his first touch, his receiving of the ball.“His confidence as well, the boy can take anyone on and think he’s going to beat them.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He’s like a golfer with the amount of hours they put in. It’s credit to him that he’s not just stayed in this country.“He’s got off his backside and gone abroad. He’s only 26, he’s not even peaked.” More

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    Anthony Martial ‘wanted by Inter Milan in shock transfer but Man Utd outcast second choice to little-known Iceland star’

    INTER MILAN are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United star Anthony Martial.The 28-year-old will leave the Red Devils this summer when his contract expires.Anthony Martial is wanted by Inter Milan as he will leave Manchester United this summerCredit: GettyInter view Genoa’s Albert Gudmundsson as another optionCredit: GettyMartial is already on the lookout for a new club and Inter Milan are keen on the soon to be free agent.The Frenchman has been on the Italian giants’ radar for some time and there was talks about him moving to San Siro back in January.Rumours even suggested he could be used in a player plus cash swap deal as Man Utd had an interest in left-back Federico Dimarco.According Calciomercato, the potential signing of Martial is being discussed again by Inter chiefs.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHowever, they are supposedly concerned over his poor form and injury record.Martial has played 19 times this season, scoring just twice in all competitions.Therefore, Inter view Genoa star Albert Gudmundsson as an alternative.The Icelandic striker has caught the eye in Serie A this term, finding the back of the net 12 times.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERHowever, the 26-year-old is the more pricey option as it could take an offer worth £22million to force him out of Genoa.Gudmundsson has also been linked with West Ham and Tottenham.Man Utd’s top targets for the transfer windowInter reportedly have no interest in signing both strikers, with a deal already agreed for Porto’s Mehdi Taremi. Should the club opt for Gudmundsson, Martial could reportedly find himself at Fenerbahce.Inside Ratcliffe’s Man Utd plansEverything you need to know as Sir Jim Ratcliffe takes charge at Manchester United… More

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    Forgotten ex-West Ham star, 30, set for stunning free transfer to former Champions League winners

    FORMER West Ham winger Felipe Anderson is set to sign for Juventus, according to reports.The Brazilian forward, 30, is expected to bring his second stint with Lazio to an end in the summer when his contract expires.Felipe Anderson is out of contract with Lazio at the end of the seasonCredit: RexHe has nine goal contributions in Serie A so far this seasonHe has scored 56 goals and provided 63 assists in 318 games across his two spells with the Serie A side.And transfer expert Fabrizio Romano understands he is set to remain in Italy as Juventus are “one step away” from completing a deal.The two-time European champions are said to have sent a “formal proposal” to the winger, with a “verbal agreement at the final stages”.Romano also claims it is “set to be sealed soon”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnderson spent three years on West Ham’s books, the last of which was spent on loan at Porto.While in East London, he contributed 12 goals and 13 assists in 73 appearances. During this period he earned one of his two Brazil caps.He has not claimed any silverware since returning to Lazio, but they did finish second last season under Maurizio Sarri.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHowever, ex-Chelsea boss Sarri quit last month with the club languishing in ninth place.Since then they have moved up to eighth but remain 12 points adrift of the Champions League places.Felipe Anderson greets his new Lazio team-mates after sealing transfer from West Ham And Anderson had already cast doubt on his future back in December when he hinted at a return to boyhood club Santos following their relegation from the Brazilian top tier.He said: “I haven’t decided [about my future]. We talked to find an agreement but we haven’t found it yet.”It’s an important moment for the club and my mind is only on the pitch. We’ll see what happens.”Like all the [Santos] fans I am devastated. We knew it was difficult and that we had to fight until the end. There’s a lot of sadness, but we need to stay united to recover as soon as possible.”It’s a team that has given me a lot. I would like to go back there one day to help Santos.” More

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    Mason Greenwood ‘leads European giants’ four-man transfer shortlist’ if Man Utd cash in on Getafe loanee in summer

    MASON GREENWOOD is reportedly at the top of a four-man transfer shortlist at Serie A giants Juventus.The Manchester United striker is on loan at Getafe until the end of the season.Juventus have Mason Greenwood on the top of their transfer listCredit: GettyThe switch came after charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault against the striker were dropped in February last year.The Red Devils are likely to sell the forward this summer and, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus hope to secure the 22-year-old for a discounted price as he has one year left on his contract at Old Trafford.Juventus are looking to reshuffle their attack and midfield over the summer and focus specifically on signing wingers.The club’s chiefs are preparing to build a team that could play with a 3-5-2 system or switch to 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThis means the Italian giants are likely to make some cuts to their squad this summer.England U20 star Samuel Iling Jr and Serbian international Filip Kostic are rumoured to be heading out the exit door.And in return, they hope to scout Greenwood alongside Edon Zhegrova, Felipe Anderson or Mattia Zaccagni.Kosovo international Zhegrova has racked up 11 goals and 9 assists with the Lille side from whom Juve has signed Timothy Weah and then Tiago Djalo in recent months.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERLazio star Zaccagni is yet to agree to extend his contract beyond 2025, while his teammate and ex-West Ham star Anderson is available on a free transfer as his current deal at the Stadio Olimpico runs out in June.Greenwood has impressed on loan at Getafe, making 28 appearances this term, scoring eight goals and creating five assists across all competitions.Man Utd and Liverpool’s Worst Ever Transfer XI worth £450m More