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      Philippe Coutinho set for £35m Everton transfer with Toffees already house hunting for ex-Liverpool ace

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      PHILIPPE COUTINHO will join Everton this summer in a £35million deal.The Goodison club are so confident of the playmaker returning to Merseyside, they are already house-hunting for him.
      Barcelona’s ex-Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho is close to joining EvertonCredit: Rex
      Everton’s James Rodriguez could be partnered with Philippe Coutinho next season in a dynamic sideCredit: Getty
      Boss Carlo Ancelotti wants Barcelona’s former Liverpool star to form a South American dream team with Colombian James Rodriguez.
      The Brazilian, 28, has had a miserable time since leaving Anfield for Spain for £145m.
      Barca tried to sell him 18 months later but he ended up on loan at Bayern Munich.
      He won the treble in Germany but was hit by injuries that cost him a permanent move to the Bundesliga.
      He then made 14 appearances on his return to the Nou Camp,  but has not played since late December thanks to a knee injury.
      He had surgery at the start of this month and will not play again this season.
      Everton want to be sure he has recovered fully before committing, but a deal  is thought to have been agreed on paper.
      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League
      The prognosis is said to be  excellent and plans are well underway to  welcome Coutinho, his wife Aine and their three children.
      Liverpool fans will have mixed feelings that their arch rivals  have pounced for  ‘the Little Magician’.
      Barca are keen to offload him, even for a cut–price fee.
      He was linked with a return to Anfield but, instead, if he recovers the form that made him a huge hit there, he could come back to haunt the Reds.
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      The Everton move shows the ambition of Ancelotti and majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
      The Italian manager is determined to turn Everton  into regular participants  in the Champions League.
      The capture of Coutinho would be a big step forward in that aim.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Everton ‘plot shock Philippe Coutinho transfer and hope to land Barcelona and ex-Liverpool star for just £35m’ More

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      Tottenham end Brendan Rodgers pursuit as hefty £70MILLION price tag puts Spurs off in-demand Leicester manager

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      SPURS have been frightened off by the potential £70million  cost of landing Brendan Rodgers.Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was confident of finally getting his man, despite the Leicester chief publicly dismissing the prospect of succeeding the sacked Jose Mourinho.
      Tottenham have ended their costly pursuit of Brendan Rodgers as their new managerCredit: AP
      But the Londoners have been unable to come up with a package that would get Rodgers, 48, out of the King Power.
      The Northern Irishman earns up to £10m a season with the Foxes.
      And Tottenham would need to offer a four-year contract of £12.5m a year, plus Leicester’s expected compensation demands of £20m — a similar amount to what Bayern Munich are paying former Spurs target RB Leipzig for Julian Nagelsmann.
      The Carabao Cup runners-up would also have to shell out for the ex-Liverpool manager’s backroom staff.
      Rodgers — who was offered the Tottenham job by Levy in 2012 but instead went to Anfield — will now remain at the King Power.
      He said: “Tottenham is a great club but . . . I’m very happy here. I want to continue my work here.”
      Spurs will now talk to Erik ten Hag, 51, about taking over — but will only do so once his Ajax side have sealed the Dutch title.
      Rodgers, meanwhile, says red-hot striker Kelechi Iheanacho has finally silenced the moaners with his goal run.
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      Daniel Levy will now turn to other targets to succeed Jose MourinhoCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

      The Nigerian, 24, endured a tough start at the Foxes following his £25m move from Manchester City in 2017.
      But 12 goals in nine games have cemented third spot and put Leicester into next month’s FA Cup final.
      Ahead of tonight’s trip to Southampton, Rodgers said: “Kelechi’s gone through spells when there were moans and groans when he came on.
      “But I don’t think there’s any now. That’s a testament to Kelechi.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Harry Kane ODDS-ON to ditch Tottenham this summer with Man City, Man Utd & PSG leading £150m transfer battle More

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      Ben White transfer race hots up as Man Utd and Arsenal joined by PSG and Dortmund in eyeing £35m-rated Brighton ace

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have joined the race for Brighton defender Ben White.Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United and Arsenal remain interested in one of the Premier League’s most talented young central defenders.
      Borussia Dortmund have joined the race for £35m-rated Brighton defender Ben WhiteCredit: Rex
      Brighton will demand about £35million for White, having turned down three bids from Leeds last summer – with the final offer totalling £25m.
      White spent a successful season on loan in the Championship with Leeds last term and has gone from strength to strength on the south coast this year.
      Dortmund already have an eye for English talent having signed both Jude Bellingham from Birmingham and Jadon Sancho from Manchester City.
      They also made a move for Ben Godfrey but instead, he left Norwich for Everton.
      White, 23, has played 34 times for Graham Potter this season and is on the verge of an England call-up after being name-checked by national boss Gareth Southgate.
      While he will take no part in Euro2020, he looks certain to get a call-up for the Autumn World Cup qualifiers.
      Man Utd captain Harry Maguire reportedly urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to sign White at the end of the season.
      According to The Transfer Window podcast, Maguire has told his manager he would like to play alongside an English-speaking centre back who understands the culture of Premier League football and will complement his game.
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      It is believed one of the players mentioned in this discussion was White, who has attracted many plaudits since joining Leeds United on loan last season.
      Elsewhere, United have reportedly made Erling Haaland their No 1 transfer target but may wait until next season when his £65m release clause activates.
      The Norwegian striker is Europe’s hottest property with a host of super-clubs prepared to make their moves.
      United are no different with boss Solskjaer eager to land a prolific goalscorer to lead the line.
      According to Eurosport, club chiefs including director John Murtough have determined they will go all out to land Haaland.
      Dortmund are likely to put their star asset up for sale this summer for £130m if they miss out on Champions League football.
      Edin Terzic’s side currently sit fifth, just a point behind Eintracht Frankfurt who occupy fourth.
      If Dortmund decide to cling onto their superstar then his value will half next year due to a clause in his contract.
      The decision remains in the hands of the German side who know a heavyweight rival are likely to stump up over £100m this summer.
      United face serious competition for his signature with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea all heavily linked.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Spotify founder Daniel Ek ‘very serious’ about £2bn Arsenal takeover and CONFIRMS he has funds to buy from KSE More

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      Jordan Henderson set to MISS Euro 2020 as Jurgen Klopp reveals England mainstay is still weeks away from injury return

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      JORDAN HENDERSON looks destined to miss England’s bid for Euros glory.Jurgen Klopp has revealed Henderson is nowhere near a return  to Liverpool training — and could still be weeks away.
      Jordan Henderson is set to miss the European ChampionshipsCredit: Reuters
      Jurgen Klopp revealed the Liverpool captain is still weeks away from returning from injuryCredit: Reuters
      The Three Lions kick-off their summer campaign against Croatia in 44 days’ time.
      Reds boss Klopp said: “There are a lot of steps to go after that before they can take part in football training.
      “They are all quite a long way from that.”
      Liverpool play their last game of the season on May 23 against Crystal Palace but Henderson appears to have little or no chance of being ready for the Eagles’ visit.
      That is the day before England head coach Gareth Southgate is expected to name his squad for the finals.
      Henderson, 30, recovering from groin surgery in February, has been running along with other long-term casualties Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
      But  Klopp said: “Nobody has told me ‘fasten your seat belt they will be team training next week’.
      “When players start running during rehabilitation it is in straight lines only at first.”
      The German is no more optimistic about his team’s chances of making next season’s Champions League.
      They are  four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who play struggling Fulham today.
      And Klopp, who watched tomorrow’s opponents Manchester United in their 6-2 Europa League semi-final smashing of Roma, feels the short break between Thursday’s game should not affect their rivals.
      How England’s path to Euros glory could look
      He said: “They have had a lot of good results after playing  Thursday.
      “They are used to Thursday-Sunday, so they will be fine, I’m afraid.”
      He is not so sure of his own attackers, having been gutted by a series of missed chances before Newcastle pinched an injury-time point in last week’s 1-1 draw.
      Klopp moaned: “In our last three games we have made 36 chances and scored two goals.
      “It’s a matter of confidence so we have not spent all week shouting at them and asking: ‘How could you miss that!’
      “We have been working, talking, doing video sessions and for sure we will fight.
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      “I wasn’t in a good mood after the Newcastle game and I needed time to understand things that happened.
      “If we don’t make the Champions League then that’s definitely not good but we have worked to make sure the players have the right legs to go into this game.”
       LIVERPOOL (likely): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Kabak, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds More

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      Liverpool’s forced to rein in attacking intent amid defensive woes and once free-scoring front three are feeling effects

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      THERE are so many contributing factors as to why Liverpool are not firing on all cylinders.Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are top class players, but you can see their lack of confidence.
      Sadio Mane’s goals have dried up this seasonCredit: EPA
      Roberto Firmino hasn’t been prolific either and is snatching at chancesCredit: Alamy
      The pair have scored 14 goals between them this season from 63 shots on target, compared to Mo Salah’s 20 from 45.
      And when you lose that edge you take an extra touch or pass instead of getting a shot away, which makes it easier for defenders.
      You only have to see Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal for Leicester last week to see how much confidence can influence an attacker’s decisions.
      But you can also see how Liverpool’s defensive injuries have hindered their attacking output.
      Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were the pillars of their attack in that their pace gave the full-backs and midfielders the freedom to go forward.
      The lack of assists from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson proves they are having to hold back.
      During the two-year period when Liverpool won the Champions League and Premier League, the club never had a goalscoring midfielder in their ranks.
      That has now been highlighted even more by the fact only one of the front three — Salah — is coming up with the goals.
      Mo Salah has had to carry Liverpool’s goalscoring burdenCredit: Rex
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      When you are at the top, as they were last season, the shop window of players who can improve a squad is really small.
      The signing of Diogo Jota shared the load but perhaps getting a goalscoring midfield player in is something Jurgen Klopp will look at.
      So you cannot pinpoint this flat season from Liverpool on one factor — all of them are making it equally difficult.
      Manchester United are having an outstanding season and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not get the credit he deserves.
      Going to Old Trafford on Sunday will not be easy for Klopp and his team.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Troy Deeney says Liverpool’s front three forwards aren’t natural goal scorers More

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      Ryan Mason asks Spurs stars NOT to call him ‘gaffer’ as stand-in boss keeps things informal in Premier League run-in

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      RYAN MASON staged a meeting with Tottenham’s players to tell them: Don’t call me gaffer.The Tottenham caretaker manager, 29, stressed to the squad — with many having been former team-mates — that he wants to keep things informal.
      Ryan Mason wants respect around the Tottenham camp but does not wish to be called ‘gaffer’Credit: Getty
      Mason’s side head to already-relegated Sheffield United tomorrow knowing they need a win to keep their top-four hopes alive.
      He said: “One of the first things I said to them was that I do not expect to be called ‘gaffer’ or ‘boss’.
      “Call me what you have been calling me for the last five or ten years — or however long I have known you.
      “The most important thing for me is respect. You can call me what you want but if you don’t respect me then it is not good. The respect is there from everyone.
      “Not just the players but the groundsman, the kitmen, everyone. I have a good relationship with everyone.”
      The Tottenham players, who address the stand-in boss as either Ryan or Mase, have yet to discover who the new gaffer will be next season.
      Ajax manager Erik ten Hag has extended his contract at the Dutch side until 2023.
      The North Londoners missed out on No1 target Julian Nagelsmann as he agreed to take over at Bayern Munich.
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      Mason insists he has not spoken to star striker Harry Kane about his futureCredit: Getty

      And Brendan Rodgers is committed to Leicester as they close in on a Champions League place.
      But Mason said: “I’ve not heard anything. I’ve shut myself off from it.
      “But this is Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. There’s always going to be people interested.
      “We’ve the best stadium and training complex in the world. It’s a fantastic group of players and a fantastic fan base.
      “It’s a great club. I’m probably biased because I feel passionately about it. But it’s a big football club as well.
      “I don’t want to spend too much energy talking about managers, because at this moment in time I’m the one leading and preparing the team.
      “Everyone associated with the club has to be pulling in the right direction these next five games. We’re not thinking about the next manager or who’s coming in.”
      Mason also stressed he has not spoken to star striker Harry Kane over his future at the club.

      If Spurs fail to finish in the top four, Kane, 27, could push for a move.
      Mason said: “There hasn’t been and won’t be any conversations with me and him regarding anything apart from either the training day or the match ahead.
      “He is one of the most professional guys I’ve ever met in my life so Harry has been training excellent this week.
      “Harry loves this club and that’s been proven over the last seven or eight years.”
      TOTTENHAM (likely): Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Reguilon; Winks, Hojbjerg; Lo Celso, Moura, Son; Kane
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Ryan Mason says all of the players have pain after Son Heung-min is left in tears on the field following Carabao Cup final loss More

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      Karren Brady: Refereeing in the Premier League is worse than ever as West Ham have ANOTHER red card rescinded

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      FOR THE second time this season a West Ham player has been cleared after being sent off.First in February it was Tomas Soucek who was relieved to be told the referee had made a wrong decision and then this week it was Fabian Balbuena.
      Fabian Balbuena was shown a shock red card last weekend which has now been rescindedCredit: Rex
      Each time after the referee had consulted a touchline screen link with VAR.
      Cynical refereeing judgment perhaps played a part. But it is the current system of pressurising refs by implication that warrants the equivalent of a red card.
      The Stockley Park mob, blinking in front of an array of screens, may get more offsides right although, goodness knows, they often do so to the fury of people who don’t see any sense in arms or shirt sleeves being involved.
      The refereeing itself has been poor this season, possibly the worst I have seen in the Premier League.
      No doubt there will be statistics that prove me wrong but, subjectively, I can remember no time when the whistle was so out of tune with the game.
      VAR was sold to us as a way of perfecting decisions.
      These two red cards alone proved the opposite: not until the refs were requested to look at the screen did sendings off seem even a possibility.
      Especially since both the incidents took place right in front of the ref’s own eyes.
      Mike Dean wrongly sent off Tomas Soucek in FebruaryCredit: Reuters
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      But despite that, both took the VERY broad hint from Stockley Park — and thrust out red cards to the amazement of the players and disgust of millions  of viewers.
      Of the Balbuena incident against Chelsea, manager David Moyes said the decision was ‘rank, rotten’, adding: ‘I think it’s been made by somebody who has never played the game.’
      And, yes, he’s absolutely right. VAR never played a game and never will.
      Anger at London Stadium or in any other quarter in no way excuses the death threat to Mike Dean, who has sent off seven players so far this season, or anyone else. Such stupidity only redirects sympathy.
      Referees are bound to make mistakes, most of us are grown-up enough to understand that, and VAR was intended to take some of the weight of responsibility from their shoulders.
      It has, a little, but its replacement is fury at some of the rubbish meant to be impartial judgment.
      Crazy offside rulings are one thing, unwarranted sending off of players is quite another.
      To Soucek, it was defamation. Our midfielder had not previously been sent off in more than 200 games and there he was walking off the pitch after a pure accident. It was Dean who sent him to the stands at Fulham.
      David Moyes was fuming at the decisionCredit: PA
      Sofiane Feghouli was red carded in 2017… another that was chalked offCredit: Getty – Contributor
      His career is studded with such incidents, including another involving my club in 2017 when his dismissal of Sofiane Feghouli was rescinded.
      Six out of the seven of our more recent appeals have been accepted, although four of those were pre-VAR, facts which imply that things are no  better and no worse than they were.
      Refs spurred by VAR seem more willing to show yellow cards, many for tackles that once were taken for granted.
      So far this season in the Premier League no fewer than 955 have been flourished, many justified but some laughable.
      Paul Tierney is averaging no less than four in 20 games, and here’s a stat if you like, Martin Atkinson has awarded an average 0.09 penalties a game to Anthony Taylor’s 0.48.
      Penalties, obviously cannot be rescinded.
      VAR’s influence is now so great that 108 have been awarded and the record number for a season is going to be burst wide open. West Ham have had only a measly three.
      Football isn’t about justice, we know. But neither is trial by television.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      David Moyes says the red card in West Ham’s game against Chelsea was a rank and rotten decision More

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      Jose Mourinho joins The Sun for Euros with legendary Premier League boss becoming our expert columnist

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      IT’S the Special Sun! Jose Mourinho has signed up to be our expert columnist for the Euros.The European Championship heads an epic sporting summer and he will pull no punches in football’s No 1 paper.
      We’ve got Mourinho! Jose ‘The Special One’ Mourinho has signed as a columnist for SunSportCredit: The Sun
      The Special One will write a razor-sharp column during the EurosCredit: AFP
      Jose has won league titles in Portugal, Italy, Spain and England, with three Prem crowns at Chelsea.
      He also led Inter and Porto to Champions League glory.
      So who better than the Special One to give his opinion on the Euros in a razor-sharp column full of classic Jose wit, knowledge and enthusiasm.
      You can also hear him exclusively on talkSPORT during the tournament.
      And there will be exclusive videos and online pieces to enjoy as well.
      So come on England, let’s make it a Special summer all round!
      Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions are bidding to end 55 years of hurt.
      And Mourinho — whose Portugal are also among the favourites — will be there every step of the way with expert analysis.

      The Special One won three Premier League titles in two spells at ChelseaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      He also led Inter to the Treble – and won another Champions League with PortoCredit: Getty – Contributor

      The Special One is considered one of the greats having lifted an incredible 25 trophies.
      Mourinho also won silverware at Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Porto — and led Manchester United to a League Cup and Europa League double.
      Now Jose will bring his sharp footballing brain to SunSport all summer.
      You don’t want to miss it . . . 
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