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      in Soccer

      Sergio Aguero may have to HALVE £260k-a-week salary if he wants Man City contract extension

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      SERGIO AGUERO faces having to take a major pay cut if he wants a new deal at Manchester City.
      The club’s all-time leading goalscorer is out of contract at the end of the season, but would like to stay for another 12 months.

      Sergio Aguero’s deal at Manchester City expires in six monthsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Yet although Aguero’s representatives have been trying to get the club to commit, no talks have taken place.
      There is no question of the respect in which he is held by both Pep Guardiola or City’s owners, who would like to keep him for another year at least.
      But he also earns around £260,000 a week – and his injury problems over the last two years mean the Argentine’s hopes could rest on him taking a near 50 per cent drop.
      It is a dilemma for Aguero, who knows that as a free agent, he could pick up close to his current salary if he moved on.

      Yet City are unlikely to agree an extension without a hefty cut, have previously chopped the wage of older stars like they did for Yaya Toure, when he was offered a 12 month extension.
      SunSport exclusively revealed how Barcelona could look to land Aguero if he fails to land a new deal at the Etihad.
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      Liverpool boast the most-valuable squad in the Premier League

      He is free to sign a pre-contract with a European club this month with Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain also linked.

      Aguero has won four Premier League titles, five EFL Cups and one FA Cup during a trophy-filled spell at the Etihad.
      He will miss Sunday’s clash with Crystal Palace because he is self-isolating after being in close contact with someone infected with Covid.

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      Man City star Sergio Aguero eyed by Barcelona on free transfer with contract having just SIX-MONTHS left More

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      in Soccer

      Mesut Ozil to say goodbye to Arsenal team-mates on Sunday after giving up portion of salary to seal Fenerbahce transfer

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      MESUT OZIL will say goodbye to his Arsenal team-mates today ahead of a free transfer to Fenerbahce.
      The midfielder has reached an agreement with Emirates chiefs to terminate his contract — due to expire this summer — after waiving a chunk of his remaining £7million salary.

      Mesut Ozil will make one final appearance to Arsenal’s training groundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      German World Cup winner Ozil is desperate to play football again after being frozen out by Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta since March.
      And talks between Ozil, 32, his agent Erkut Sogut and Gunners technical director Edu agreed the player can end his exile and join his boyhood Turkish club as a free agent.
      Ozil is set to complete the move to Fenerbahce this week once the final details of his contract termination are signed.
      Sunsport understands he agreed to give up a portion of his remaining salary so he could leave the club on good terms.

      He is due at the London Colney training ground this morning, where he will say farewell to team-mates before tomorrow’s clash with Newcastle.
      In a Twitter Q and A session last week, Ozil — who is of Turkish heritage — revealed: “I grew up as a Fenerbahce fan as a kid in Germany.
      “Fenerbahce is like Real Madrid in Spain. The biggest club in the country.”
      Ozil is the most decorated Arsenal player of the Emirates era, winning four FA Cups during his seven and a half years following a £42.5million move from Real Madrid.

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      Mesut Ozil has agreed to join Fenerbahce on a free transferCredit: AFP – Getty

      How Arsenal lined-up for Mesut Ozil’s debut vs Sunderland in 2013

      He became the highest-paid player in Arsenal’s history when he signed his current £350,000-a-week deal in December 2018.
      But he has not played after being axed from Arteta’s Premier and Europa League squads.
      Ozil has played 254 matches for the Gunners, scoring 44 goals along with 77 assists.
      Fenerbahce sporting director Emre had said: “Mesut is closer than ever. He is a superstar, a player who has contributed to a goal in every other game at every club he has played for.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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      Mesut Ozil makes trip to rainy Emirates to say ‘farewell’ after Arsenal ‘agree’ to terminate contract More

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      in Soccer

      Bruno Fernandes warns Man Utd have NO intention of letting Liverpool match 20 title record ahead of title blockbuster

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      BRUNO FERNANDES says Manchester United are driven by their desire to stop Liverpool equalling their record of 20 titles.
      Manchester United have one more crown than their arch rivals as they go into Sunday’s crunch Premier League clash at Anfield.

      Bruno Fernandes says Man Utd are finding extra motivation in stopping Liverpool match their titles record

      Liverpool won their first-ever Premier League last season, their 19th title overallCredit: PA:Press Association

      United’s midfielder Fernandes said: “You don’t want your rivals at the same level as you, or with the same amount of trophies as you.
      “So it’s clear for everyone here at the club and in the dressing room, everyone knows what it means for the supporters.
      “It would be a lot more fun with 21 titles and Liverpool still on 19, of course.”
      Fernandes has been named Premier League player of the month for the fourth time in a calendar year, the first time that has happened.

      It shows just what sort of impact he has had on the club.
      The Portuguese midfielder has helped United to a three-point lead on Liverpool at the top of the table ahead of the two clubs meeting at Anfield tomorrow.
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Sir Alex Ferguson led United to their 20th title in 2013… but they haven’t won one sinceCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He has 27 goals since joining United from Sporting Lisbon at the end of last January but 15 of them have been penalties and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has questioned why United get so many.

      Fernandes could not care less about Klopp’s whining.
      He said: “I don’t care, honestly. You always see what people say but I really don’t care.
      “I’m not focused on what they are saying. I played in Portugal and when you play for Sporting, Benfica and Porto are always talking about that kind of stuff – sometimes to put pressure on the referee, sometimes just to make some noise in the press.
      “But, for me, the main point is when we have a penalty, if I go to take the ball to the penalty spot, I have to do my job.
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      Bruno will be United’s key man in their top of the table clash with Liverpool on Sunday

      “It is what it is. People can talk and say what they want.
      “But, for me and the team, the main point is continuing to do the right things and when we get a penalty, just scoring.”
      United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will make a late decision on Anthony Martial for the game after he suffered a hamstring strain in the closing moments of the midweek win at Burnley.

      Liverpool vs Man Utd combined XI: Salah and Bruno Fernandes make joint side but Pogba misses out ahead of Prem clash More

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      in Soccer

      Man Utd legend Bryan Robson says Harry Maguire is the new ‘Captain Marvel’ as he leads Red Devils on title charge

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      BRYAN ROBSON earned the right to be called Captain Marvel.
      He wore the treasured armband of England 65 times and over 13 years became the longest-serving skipper in the history of Manchester United.

      Bryan Robson earned the nickname ‘Captain Marvel’ during his epic careerCredit: Getty

      He believes Harry Maguire has all the attributes to become a modern-day marvelCredit: Getty

      Bones were broken and blood spilled for both causes and few are better qualified to recognise a fellow lion heart than him.
      And in Harry Maguire he sees a kindred spirit.
      Robbo is convinced that the £80million central defender has all the right stuff to make himself a modern-day marvel as captain of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
      So much so that he has even been acting as a mentor to him on the values of leadership and responsibility.

      The pair have had several conversations together and a warm bond has built up between them.
      The 64-year-old says: “Harry is a really good listener. He’s a man’s man – very much his own man – but he likes advice.
      “You can see that when he’s having discussions with the commercial people, to agents, to people around the club.
      “You can see he listens and takes on board what he thinks is right, that he’s a decent lad who has time for everybody.

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      “I first got to know him through his agent, someone I really like – I didn’t realise he was on his books until Harry came to Old Trafford.
      “So I’ve met Harry quite a few times from where he was just getting used to people around the club and we’ve had a good few chats about things.
      “You can always tell when lads are captain material – you can feel it.
      “Harry wants to learn more and understand more – about the game, about the club, about his team-mates, about people around him.
      “There is the other side of Harry within the club that the public don’t really see.
      “There are a lot of things the players have been doing for the community and for charity and it’s been led by him and the senior pros.
      “They’ve got together to keep feeding money through to the NHS.
      “They have been doing quite a bit behind the scenes even though it has been manic with the number of games – that’s all been led by Harry.”
      Yet it is Maguire’s leadership on the pitch that is beginning to most impress the Old Trafford legend who also used to go by the name of Captain Marvel.

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      Robson became the first to lead a club to back-to-back titles in the Premier League era and his vast experience tells him Solskjaer is onto a winner with Maguire.
      He says: “I saw when Harry first arrived that he needed to organise people and communicate a bit more but he has grown into the job.
      “Now you see him pointing and directing and helping people out. And a few of the new players have followed that lead – such as Bruno Fernandes, Edinson Cavani.
      “You can see them working hard to pull the side together and get the team’s shape back when they lose the ball.
      “Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay have taken that on board as well so the team as a whole is improving on that side of things.
      “Harry, he’s a top player. The only thing he might get criticised for is pace but he reads things really well, gets great blocks in, he’s brilliant in the air defensively.
      “It just took him a little bit of time to get the confidence to come into a club like Manchester United and demand from people around him.
      “Sometimes you go into a club and it takes you a little bit of time to settle down.
      “You don’t want to look as if you’re bucking for captain and demanding and shouting at people when you don’t know them that well.

      Robbo helped Manchester United end their long-wait for the title in the 90sCredit: Getty
      “Part of what Harry had brought has been missing from United over the last four or five years is that players haven’t demanded from each other.
      “The Class of ’92, my team that had Paul Ince, Roy Keane, Steve Bruce, Eric Cantona – we demanded off each other and that’s why we got success.
      “You can’t just go on a football pitch and look after yourself.
      “You’ve got to demand not only from yourself but the others and push them to the limits. Sir Alex built three teams who did that.
      “Now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going down that same direction and the right lines are that every player has to want more of himself and everybody around him. To win things that’s what you’ve got to do.
      “It’s not upsetting people for the sake of it – it’s about helping those around you to give that bit more to win things.
      “And hopefully the team can keep on those lines with Harry and the other boys.
      “Doing that you get a good team spirit going and the next thing then is just to win something to give that extra bit of confidence. Harry is going to be central to that.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Harry Maguire says Man Utd are the biggest team in the world and that’s why everybody loves seeing them lose More

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      in Boxing

      Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury hope to sign blockbuster fight deal NEXT MONTH even if venue is not confirmed

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      ANTHONY JOSHUA and Tyson Fury hope to sign their £200million fight deal in the next month without a confirmed venue in a bid to beat Covid-19.
      The English heavyweights are desperate to start what boxing fans hope will be a two-fight rivalry ASAP and over half-a-dozen nations are ready to stump up mega money to host.

      AJ and Tyson Fury are close to agreeing their £200m super fight

      Eddie Hearn says the location could be the final thing to be agreedCredit: PA:Press Association

      But the ever-changing coronavirus rules and regulations mean AJ promoter Eddie Hearn predicts the location could be the last thing that gets agreed upon, to stay ahead of the pandemic.
      The Matchroom boss saud: “We will say, hopefully in the next three or four weeks, ‘deal done’.
      “When everybody’s on board and signed we’ll collectively go out and speak to these sites we’ve had approaches from and look to do the best deal for the fighters – not just from a financial perspective but from a logistical point of view as well.  
      “And everything is changing. One country is all of a sudden coming out of the pandemic, they’re really aggressive, they’ve got a lot of money for tourism, they want to say, ‘we’re back’. And then two weeks later they go into a lockdown.

      “So it’s very very difficult at the moment to move with that much confidence or certainty and it’s not a great time to be discussing international sporting events.
      “But we’re at that period – end of May, early June – where people are a lot more confident that they will be in a better place to stage it.”
      The March 6 rematch between Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin could be headed abroad with tiny Gibraltar a shock candidate host.
      The tiny British territory in the deepest south of Spain has a popularity of just 32,000 but could offer up a venue for fans to watch the heavyweight grudge rerun.

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      Hearn, who has just announced five shows to run from February 13 into April, said: “We’re looking to stage all of those fights in one location, with perhaps only the Dillian Whyte fight going international.
      “At the moment that’s an option but we haven’t made any decisions yet.
      “We’ve spoken to some quite interesting ones, a couple in the Middle East and we’ve also spoken to Gibraltar and also to Monaco. 
      “The feeling from Dillian is he would like crowds for that fight.
      “It’s a big fight for him and he would prefer that fight in front of some kind of crowds but even in the territories I mentioned there’s no guarantee that would be the case either. There could be crowds in Gibraltar.”

      Anthony Joshua shows off brutal left hook in gym workout More

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      in Soccer

      Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney has the ‘presence’ to be a top boss as Man Utd legends retires to take Derby job

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      SIR ALEX FERGUSON believes Wayne Rooney has the skills to become a successful manager.
      Rooney, 35, officially retired yesterday to become full-time boss of Championship Derby, signing a deal until the summer of 2023.

      Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Wayne Rooney has what it takes to become a top managerCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      England and Manchester United’s record goalscorer had a glittering playing career, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League under Sir Alex at Old Trafford.
      And Ferguson said: “His knowledge of the game is not in question and he has a presence about him.
      “I really do hope he goes well. It is a big step early on. He is a wealthy young man and doesn’t need to go into management to look after the family.
      “He wants to do it and that’s the important thing.

      “There is no point being a manager because someone has asked you to.
      “He knows more than most that he needs results. He has started well and it is what he wanted so hopefully he does well.”
      Rooney, who replaced the sacked Phillip Cocu in November, has overseen nine games, winning three and drawing four.
      And current United boss and former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also believes he has what it takes to be a success.

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      He said: “Great news for Wayne and I really wish him all the best.
      “I think he’s got everything going for him to be a good manager.
      “He’s had a very good career, he’s got a very good personality and he wants success.
      “He’s played under some top managers and I’m sure he’s over the moon at the moment, so congratulations to him.”
      David Moyes was Everton boss when Rooney burst on to the scene as a precocious 16-year-old.
      Rooney, who also played for DC United in the US, is now joining his mentor in the coaching ranks.
      West Ham boss Moyes said: “It makes me feel old when I think he was 16 — where have all the years gone that he is now starting his career in management?
      “Wayne has had enough experience as a player to see good things, but he has to watch out that he doesn’t fall into the category of being a good player who doesn’t become a good manager.

      Wayne Rooney’s playing career

      Wayne Rooney has retired from playing after an illustrious 19-year career.

             Games Goals
      Everton (2002-04) 77 17
      Man Utd (2004-17) 559 253
      Everton (2017-18) 40 11
      D.C United (2018-20) 52 25
      Derby (2020) 35 7
      TOTAL        763 313
      International
      England (2003-18) 120 53

      “He needs to learn a completely different skill set. He should watch that he doesn’t try to do things too quickly.
      “Quite often you need to earn your stripes as a manager. It doesn’t happen often that you get things right straightaway.
      “Most managers have worked their way up and learnt how to do things at a lower level.”
      In similar fashion to Rooney, Moyes finished playing at Preston and then managed the club before moving to Everton and then teaming up with his former striker again at Old Trafford.
      And Moyes believes the young manager has the strength of character to dish out the hairdryer treatment when needed.
      Moyes added: “Wayne is a winner all day long.
      “When he left Everton he was only a boy, by the time I got to United he was a winner.
      “I can imagine him demanding high standards from the players. The biggest thing Wayne has is his attitude.
      “I always say to my players to do their badges early, go on the coaching courses early and don’t hang about because sometimes it is too late.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Wayne Rooney says he can help Derby move forward as new manager More

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      in Soccer

      Champions League and Europa clashes can go ahead as government gives sporting exemption after ‘travel corridor’ closure

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      ARSENAL will have a sporting exemption to travel and face Benfica in the Europa League following the Government’s strict new travel restrictions.
      Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the current ‘travel corridors’ will be closed from 4am on Monday except for those who have had a negative Covid test in the previous 72 hours.

      Champions League and Europa League games can go ahead after the Government confirmed a special sporting exemptionCredit: Reuters

      The decision means Arsenal will be able to travel to play Benfica in the Europa LeagueCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail

      All arrivals to the UK will have to self-isolate in quarantine for ten days.
      But the Government confirmed to SunSport there will be an exemption for elite sports which follow Covid-19 protocols.
      That means Arsenal, as well as the six other Premier League sides due in European action next month, WILL be free to travel — and rugby union’s Six Nations has also got the green light.
      There had been fears the dispensation would not apply to Portugal after the clampdown introduced to guard against the Brazil mutant strain.

      That would have led to the two Europa League games against Benfica being moved to a neutral venue where no restrictions apply.
      Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are due to travel to Lisbon for the first-leg of their last-32 clash on February 18 with the Portuguese team visiting London a week later.
      The Government action is similar to the approach taken in November when they banned arrivals from Denmark, putting England’s Nations League clash with Iceland at risk.
      But the FA negotiated a last-minute exemption with authorities for the Wembley clash to go ahead.

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      Elsewhere, Ray Parlous still dreams Arsenal will sign ‘special talent’ Wilfried Zaha.
      Ex-Gunners boss Unai Emery claims he wanted the Crystal Palace attacker ahead of Nicolas Pepe in August 2019 – and Zaha himself admits he would ‘love’ to have joined.
      Parlour told Stadium Astro: “I’m sure Emery would have loved to have someone like Zaha but again it’s down to the board and money available.
      “Pepe, they did that in a staggered way, probably paying £15million a year, which suited the French side where he came from.
      “Probably Crystal Palace wanted the money up front, which Arsenal couldn’t have done at that time, because if you lose your best player you need to replace him.”
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

      Solskjaer says he is excited as Man Utd prepare to play against Liverpool at Anfield More

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      in Soccer

      Danny Rose is ready to snub West Brom free transfer as Spurs outcast eyes LaLiga or Bundesliga switch

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      DANNY ROSE is eyeing a move abroad, despite interest from West Brom boss Sam Allardyce.
      The England left-back Rose has been frozen out of Jose Mourinho’s squad.

      Danny Rose is set to snub Sam Allardyce’s West BromCredit: Getty

      And he is likely to end his 13-year association with Tottenham this month.
      His Spurs contract expires in June and could be cancelled by mutual consent.
      Allardyce is desperate to bring in Rose.
      But with money tight at the Hawthorns he might have to off-load Kieran Gibbs first.

      Spanish and German top-flight clubs have also shown interest in Rose, 30.
      And he is believed to prefer a short-time switch overseas to revive his career.
      After being left without a squad number by Mourinho, Rose has knuckled down in training and played in several Under-23s fixtures for Spurs as he keeps fit in hope of an escape route.
      Rose has been capped 29 times by England.

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      He is Tottenham’s longest-serving player after arriving there from Leeds in 2007.
      But his White Hart Lane career is set to end without fanfare after a serious personality clash with Mourinho.
      Big Sam’s Baggies are currently six points adrift of safety. 

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