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      Leeds eye Ryan Kent transfer with Marcelo Bielsa keen on £15m swoop for Rangers forward

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      LEEDS hope to make it third time lucky with a £15million move for Rangers star Ryan Kent.Boss Marcelo Bielsa is keen on the talented wideman, who has starred in Steven Gerrard’s title-winning team and stood out in Europe.
      Rangers star Ryan Kent is still being targeted by LeedsCredit: The Sun
      Marcelo Bielsa will make yet another attempt to capture ex-Liverpool youngster Ryan KentCredit: Getty
      And Bielsa has told his transfer chief Victor Orta that the position is still open in his squad if he can pull off a deal for Kent.
      Leeds bid £11m for the 24-year-old last summer and may have to go as high as £15m to get their man.
      They want a quick answer after pursuing the player — who joined from Liverpool for £6.5m in 2019 —  twice before without success.
      Kent did not push to leave Rangers last time while Gerrard dug in his heels and was backed by his money men, a decision that kicked off their title surge.
      Leeds will want to be sure Kent, who now has a new agent, and Rangers are in the market for a move or they will go on to other targets.
      Argentine Bielsa prefers his business to be done early to let players join him at the start of pre-season training.
      Many latecomers in the past have failed to get up to speed and suffered.
      Leeds also want a left-back and an extra midfield player as Bielsa looks to build on an impressive first campaign back in the Premier League. 
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Meanwhile, Leeds and Manchester United have both been linked with Sheffield United rookie Kyron Gordon.
      The centre-back, 18, has yet to break into the Blades’ first-team.
      But although his contract runs until the summer of 2022, he is likely to be a target in the next transfer window, especially if Sheffield go down as expected.
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      in Soccer

      Mason Greenwood thriving after striking relationship with ‘top example’ Edinson Cavani, reveals Man Utd boss Solskjaer

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      MASON GREENWOOD will look back and realise that this season marked his coming of age in more ways than one.The striker’s campaign began with public humiliation when he and Phil Foden were sent home from Iceland by England boss Gareth Southgate for breaching Covid protocols.
      Mason Greenwood has benefited from the guidance of Edinson CavaniCredit: Getty
      The pair have drummed up a striking relationship, says Ole Gunnar SolskjaerCredit: PA
      They invited two models into their Reykjavik hotel room having made their Three Lions debut last September.
      Up until that point Greenwood, 19, looked every bit the budding superstar — just like his partner in crime from the other side of Manchester.
      Yet while Foden, 20, went on to prove he truly is a prodigy with City and has since scored an England double, ironically against Iceland, Greenwood’s career went into the freezer.
      The teenager scored 18 goals in his breakthrough season but was clearly hit hard by that England shame. He managed just four goals in 38 appearance for the Red Devils after being told to pack his bags by Southgate.
      In many of those games he looked a shadow of the two-footed attacker who terrified defenders.
      While Foden flourished it appeared that the weight of that misguided hotel invite got to Greenwood and he has not been in a Southgate squad since.
      Last month he even found himself back with England’s Under-21s before being forced to withdraw with injury.
      But thanks to the help of veteran Edinson Cavani he has emerged into the light with three goals in his last five games.

      He scored and had an assist in the 3-1 win over Tottenham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is delighted to see the change in him.
      The Old Trafford boss said: “He has come through that difficult patch as a stronger person and a better player.”
      Uruguayan Cavani may well quit the club at the end of the season when his one-year deal ends but the 34-year-old will leave having had a major influence on Greenwood’s development.
      If anyone has helped the Bradford-born striker battle through his problems it is the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star.
      Solskjaer added: “Playing with Edinson Cavani has been a top example for him.
      “Edi leads by example even though the language barrier has made it a bit difficult.
      “But Mason and Edi have struck up a very good relationship. I can see that Edi appreciates Mason’s talent, his hunger and his willingness to learn.
      “And in Cavani, he is learning from one of the very best.
      Solskjaer has praised Greenwood’s form since breaking into the first-teamCredit: Getty
      “It’s like when I speak about having Sir Alex Ferguson as a manager. If I couldn’t learn from him then there was no point in going into management.
      “If Mason, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial can’t learn off Edinson then they can’t learn from anyone. He is a very good example to every single one of them.”
      Greenwood has been raved about by United insiders as a natural-born striker ever since he joined the club as a six-year-old.
      But Solskjaer goes into Sunday’s visit of Burnley determined that even if Cavani does leave United Greenwood will not be rushed into the role as main striker.
      He insisted: “Maybe in the future he can play as a central striker, but I still think that’s a few years away.
      “Being a centre-forward in the Premier League is probably the hardest position to play.
      “At the moment, I think Mason is more suited to playing that wide role, dropping into pockets, finding space and running in behind.
      “I don’t want him with his back to goal and having two centre-backs up his backside.
      Mason isn’t just a natural finisher — he’s a natural footballer. He is so smooth and he’s matured so much this season.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

      “I think we have found a good way to develop him and he might end up as a No 9.
      “Mason isn’t just a natural finisher — he’s a natural footballer. He is so smooth and he’s matured so much this season.
      “You can see his body has developed and he’s getting stronger. His consistency is getting better and he will start scoring more goals, that’s for sure.
      “I have been really impressed and happy with his development this season.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Mason Greenwood admits he wants to be Man Utd’s centre forward More

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      Solskjaer insists Man Utd CAN still win miracle Premier League title as stars arrive at Lowry ahead of Burnley clash

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER believes Manchester United can still pull off a title miracle.The Red Devils will close the gap on Pep Guardiola’s Premier League leaders to eight points with victory over Burnley on Sunday.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reckons Manchester United can still catch CityCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Paul Pogba arrives at the Lowry with the team on SaturdayCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Marcus Rashford checks into the team hotelCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      And Solskjaer has not given up hope that noisy neighbours City can be reeled in during the final six matches.
      United manager Solskjaer said: “Can we catch City? Stranger things have happened in football. Bigger leads have been given away.
      “They have been strong and it’s probably too much to hope and ask for. But as long as we do our job then that’s the main thing.”
      There is evidence to suggest his aims are not a flight of fancy.
      In both the 1997-98 and 2011-12 seasons, the Red Devils blew eight-point leads to lose the title to Arsenal and City respectively.
      United checked into the Lowry Hotel ahead of their clash on Sunday.
      Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba and Co had their game faces on as they arrived at the team’s headquarters.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Juan Mata sports his team colours on arrivalCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Bruno Fernandes looked business-like on arrivalCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      Daniel James arrives on the eve of the Burnley gameCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke

      Solskjaer added: “We have got to win every game in the league. We know that. After that we can only hope something happens to City.”
      United also face Roma in the semi-finals of the Europa League and Solksjaer said: “The way we went out last season really hurt us.
      “Sometimes set-backs can derail you but sometimes they can spur you on. We’ve lost four semi-finals and I’ve seen the determination to go all the way this time.”
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      Paul Scholes urges Man Utd to sign new striker and wants Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to ditch two holding midfield formation More

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      in Soccer

      Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal stars they can’t let whizkids Saka and Smith Rowe keep carrying them

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      MIKEL ARTETA says Arsenal must stop relying on young guns Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka so much.The pair again starred as Arteta’s side thrashed Slavia Prague in the Europa League.
      Youngsters Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have inspired ArsenalCredit: Reuters
      Saka and Smith Rowe are close pals and their chemistry shows on the pitchCredit: Getty
      Mikel Arteta warned his side not to let their young guns carry themCredit: Getty
      Statistics show Arsenal achieve much better results when BOTH Smith Rowe, 20, and 19-year-old Saka start matches.
      Boss Arteta said: “They know playing every game is impossible, so we have to change those stats.
      “It tells you a lot about what has happened this season.
      “Eight months ago, if anybody had said that we were going to rely so much on these two guys to get a result, you would have said  we were not going to be in a strong position.
      “That is our reality. We have to change that reality because it doesn’t go in our favour.”
      Despite Thursday’s impressive 4-0 victory in Prague, Arsenal’s season is hanging by a thread.
      If the Gunners fail to beat their former boss Unai Emery and his Villarreal side in the semi-final, their only route into Europe next season will be via league position.
      And right now Arsenal are ninth, heading for their worst finish since 1994-95 — the last time they failed to earn a place.
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      The phrase ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’ has a direct equivalent in Spanish and Arteta is adamant it would be a ‘big mistake’ to stake everything on Europa League success.
      The Arsenal boss said: “I love that phrase. My dad always tells me that since I was 15 years old. We cannot do that. The league is important.
      “There are a lot of points to play for and there have been a lot of changes in recent weeks in terms of the table.
      “We want to be involved right up until the last match and the way to do it is to put a run together ourselves.”
      Too often this season, the Gunners have failed to follow up on good performances and results, although this time the midweek victory came straight after an another impressive 3-0 win against Sheffield United.
      Arteta said: “After the positive performance and result we got against Sheffield, to do it again the way we did is reassuring.
      “It breeds confidence. There’s a level we can reach, and when we play at that level, we are a really difficult team to play against.
      “We cannot accept anything less than that. That is the bar that we have to set ourselves.”

      Chelsea’s 5-2 defeat by lowly West Brom earlier this month should be a lesson to the Arsenal players about what could happen if they let their standards drop against struggling Fulham on Sunday.
      Arteta added: “In this league when you take the foot off the gas a little bit, you know what is going to happen.
      “And even when you go full gas, any team can still beat you.
      “So you don’t give any margins away because you are going to get exposed.
      “We have conceded and given away a lot of points. That has put our season under scrutiny and put ourselves in a position we are not comfortable with.”
      ARSENAL (likely): Leno, Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Xhaka, Partey, Ceballos, Saka, Smith Rowe, Pepe, Lacazette.
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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      in Soccer

      Wayne Rooney building luxury whisky and cigar room in his £20million mansion

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      WAYNE Rooney is having a luxury whisky and cigar room built into his £20million mansion.The England legend, 35, is modelling it on an exclusive jazz venue he frequents.
      How Wayne Rooney may look in his luxury whisky and cigar room
      Wayne and wife Coleen, 34, are usually regulars at Puffin’ Rooms in Liverpool, which has an array of wines, champagnes, cocktails and more than 200 rare whiskies.
      A vast selection of Havana or New World cigars is also available.
      A source said: “The Puffin Rooms is one of those cosy intimate places where Wayne can relax in the lap of luxury.
      “He’s been going there for years with Coleen.
      Wayne and Coleen are usually regulars at Puffin’ Rooms in LiverpoolCredit: PA
      Wayne Rooney is building the whisky and cigar room in his £20million mansionCredit: The Mega Agency
      “They love it there and always go back when they’re in Liverpool.
      “They wanted the house to feature everything they’ve ever wanted — and this was at the top of Wayne’s list.”
      The Derby County boss is converting old farm buildings into a three-storey home after buying the 40-acre plot for £4.3million in July 2018.
      All the living spaces at the house in Knutsford, Cheshire, will be fitted with bespoke furniture.
      Wayne and Coleen’s mansion will boast a cinema, gym, swimming pool and underground escape routeCredit: Instagram

      It will also boast a cinema, gym, swimming pool, snooker room, bar, wine store and lifts — plus an underground escape route to the garage block in case of intruders.
      The source added: “Money is no object. They’ve spent a long time working on this house and have made sure it delivers every luxury.”
      Sir Alex Ferguson claims Wayne Rooney could not handle his booze and he was powerless to stop the player having affairs More

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      in Boxing

      Tyson Fury sparring with convicted killer ahead of Anthony Joshua showdown

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      BOXER Tyson Fury is sparring with a convicted killer ahead of his summer showdown with Anthony Joshua.The Gypsy King, 32, is being put through his paces by disgraced fellow boxer Ty Mitchell.
      Tyson Fury is sparring with a convicted killer ahead of Anthony Joshua showdownCredit: The Sun
      Ty Michell was jailed after he killed student Jagdip Randhawa with a single punch
      Mitchell, 30, was jailed for seven years for manslaughter after he killed uni student Jagdip Randhawa, 19, with a single punch in October 2011.
      He was freed in 2016 and is on licence until December.
      But last week he posted footage of him and Fury sparring in Morecambe, Lancs, with the caption: “We love a tear up.”
      His boxing coach dad, Clifton Mitchell, has previously said his son’s fatal punch was a “freak accident” – adding: “He is not a hooligan, he was just a kid when it happened…boxing is his only trade.
      “My son will fight again.”
      Ty Mitchell killed uni student Jagdip in October 2011Credit: SWNS
      The Randhawa family previously slammed Mitchell’s return to the ring

      He will remain on licence until December this year.
      The family of his victim, of Hounslow, West London, declined to comment.
      But they have previously slammed Mitchell’s return to boxing and want him permanently banned.
      Tyson Fury is preparing for his showdown against Anthony JoshuaCredit: PA
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      in Soccer

      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta warns in-form £72m star Nicolas Pepe he will be axed again if standards slip

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      NICOLAS PEPE has been warned he will be out of the team if he lets his standards slip again.The £72million Ivorian star proved to be a slow burner at Arsenal since his record move from Lille nearly two years ago.
      Nicolas Pepe has received a stern warningCredit: Guardian News & Media
      But now boss Mikel Arteta is hoping the penny has finally dropped for the inconsistent winger who frustrates and excites in equal measure.
      Pepe, 25, scored his tenth goal of the season on Thursday night to set the Gunners on their way to a 4-0 Europa League win at Slavia Prague.
      And Arteta said: “We all know Nico has the incredible ability to succeed and we can give him all the help he wants to achieve that.
      “But now it all depends on him because he needs to have the right mindset to consistently do what he can.
      “What he has produced in the last few games is the level of performance that I am going to ask from him all the time.
      “And if it is something below that level then he is not going to be playing.
      “The biggest thing for Nico is understanding what he needed to do when he was not in the team and then producing that when he did play.
      “He needed a period of adaptation after coming from the French league but that is over. We can’t talk about adaptation any more. Now it is all about performance.

      “Nico has the players to support him, a manager that trusts him, all the staff that are willing to help him and team-mates who really like him. So now there are no excuses.”
      Pepe looks more effective since being switched to the left wing in recent weeks and is likely to get another chance to shine against Fulham tomorrow. 
      Arsenal will be without key players like David Luiz, Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard.
      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be absent again as he recuperates from malaria.
      Arteta said: “Auba had rough days but  is at home  and wants to come back very quickly.”
      ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

      Arsenal vs Fulham – Watch LIVE, channel info and kick-off time More

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      in Motorsport

      Lando Norris promises he will not swap hometown Woking to join other F1 stars living in Monte Carlo as Surrey’s more fun

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      LANDO NORRIS will not swap Woking for Monte Carlo — because it is more fun in Surrey.Fellow Brit George Russell moves to Monaco this summer and cites the Riviera’s weather, rather than its tax-haven advantages, as the main reason for going.
      Lando Norris has no plans of moving to Monte Carlo like other F1 driversCredit: PA
      Monte Carlo has become a haven for F1 starsCredit: iStockphoto – Getty
      Russell, 23, who pockets around £700,000 a year, drives for Williams while on loan from Mercedes.
      But McLaren ace Norris, 21, does not want to leave his  home, just a stone’s throw from the team’s factory, as he would miss all his mates.
      Ahead of Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola, he said: “I am happy in Surrey and enjoying my cold English weather and playing golf.
      “It is just about having fun, I guess, being with mates and seeing family when I want and it is all easy and I enjoy that.
      “I just want to live my life normally. If I moved to Monaco, I would not enjoy it. I don’t want to do my job in F1 and not enjoy the things around it.” 
      Norris recently took time to visit McLaren staff — but says it was to boost morale, not win them over in place of team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
      And, as he is local,  he has made himself available to help with the development of next year’s car — which will see big rule changes.
      Norris added: “If they need  help with the simulator or need to ask me some questions, it is just easier to go and do that.
      “It is an advantage helping in these areas with the new car.
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      Norris says living in his hometown of Woking is just as fun as Monte CarloCredit: Doug Seeburg – The Sun

      “I have been there for four years and I went to all the departments the other day.
      “I met all the guys and girls because they don’t always see the drivers.
      “It doesn’t just benefit me and not Daniel. I am sure he has done similar things.” 
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