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      West Ham sanctioned Seb Haller’s Ajax transfer as they feared being stuck with flop striker

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      WEST HAM feared being saddled with flop Seb Haller unless they offloaded him to Ajax.
      The striker has joined the Dutch side in a £25million deal despite having more than three years left on his contract.

      Seb Haller did not find his feet in the Premier League despite a hefty feeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Irons boss David Moyes is now embarking on a 24/7 search to find a replacement after cutting his losses on Haller, who cost a club-record £42m in 2019.
      It will be a tough job but there were concerns that if they held on any longer to the low-scoring Ivorian international, 26, his value would plummet even further and they would be stuck with him.
      Bournemouth’s Josh King, 28, ex-West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic, 31, and 24-year-old Boulaye Dia of French side Stade Reims have all been considered as alternatives to Haller but may be too costly or too much of a risk.
      West Ham’s board have promised Moyes all the funds raised from Haller’s sale will be made available to him to strengthen the squad

      The Scot would ideally like to bring in a young, hungry new signing to help with his team-building plans for the long term, even though he himself could be on his way in the summer.
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      Moyes, 57, who has transformed West Ham from relegation strugglers last season to a top-ten team, sees his 18-month deal expire at the end of the season.
      But he has still not been offered a new contract by co-chairman David Sullivan.

      Ajax sign West Ham striker Sebastien Haller in £20m transfer More

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      Donny van de Beek reassured Man Utd ‘rate him’ despite lack of starts by boss Solskjaer

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER spoke to Donny van de Beek to reassure him of his Manchester United future.
      The Dutchman has made just eight starts, only two in the league, since his £40million move from Ajax.

      Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has assured Donny van de Beek that he and the club ‘rate him’Credit: EPA

      His agent and Dutch icon Ronald De Boer have both voiced concerns over the midfielder’s situation.
      But Van de Beek, 23, will start Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Watford.
      United boss Solskjaer said: “I’ve spoken to him and made him aware of how much we rate him.
      “There’s many examples of players needing a bit of time, quality players.

      “You don’t expect people who care for him to be quiet at times.
      “Donny will play against Watford, it’s another chance for him to kick on.”
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      How Manchester United could line up versus Watford
      More forgotten Red Devils are set to feature — including full-back Brandon Williams, 20, and former Watford striker Odion Ighalo, 31.

      Having only made two Carabao Cup starts and a pair of brief appearances off the bench this season, the Nigerian appears to be surplus to requirements.
      United are set to wave off Ighalo at the end of the month, when his loan move from Shanghai Shenhua ends.
      Solskjaer said: “He’s been training really well.
      “I don’t know how many goals be scored, but he was the top scorer by a mile in round robin we just had in training.
      “So he’s not lost any of his sharpness or his quality. It’s been difficult for him to be out of the squad as many times of course, because he did really well up to the summer.

      “This season he’s not had as many opportunities, but he’s never let himself down as a professional and a human being.
      “In training he always works hard and he’s been a positive influence in the dressing room.
      “He’s in the squad and hopefully I don’t need to put him on that we need goals, but hopefully he can join in.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      Man Utd vs Watford – Watch LIVE for FREE, channel info and kick-off time More

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      During these testing times, our national game is something of a godsend

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      WHEN legendary Liverpool boss Bill Shankly said that ‘Football is not a matter of life and death; it’s far more important than that,’ he was not living through a pandemic.
      But during these testing times, our national game is something of a godsend.

      Football has continued despite the country being in lockdownCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The wretched Covid-19 virus has returned yet again, this time with a new variant that is vicious and deadly.
      And the new lockdown was required in order to protect our NHS and to save lives.
      But I’m really happy that football has been given the green light to carry on.
      OK, there have been lapses at clubs — including my own — but the good news is that football is still being played, allowing us all to have something to cherish during these difficult winter months.

      Football will continue and I think that is really important for the heart and soul of the nation during these grim times.
      Those of you, like me, who tuned into Sky News on Tuesday night following the PM’s announcement of the new national lockdown, may have suffered minor heart failure when the channel also announced the Premier League was to be suspended.
      I had heard nothing about it and literally fell off my chair.
      And no, alcohol was not involved as I’m suffering dry January just to make my life even grimmer than it currently is!

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      I quickly texted Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, who said he was baffled by Sky’s announcement and had spent the previous day discussing various issues with the Secretary of State Oliver Dowden and postponement was not on the cards. Crikey, what had happened!
      Had Boris pulled a fast one! Five minutes later and there was a rapid backtrack, Sky News admitted it had made a mistake and the PL would continue.
      I’m an avid viewer, so apology accepted.
      After recovering, I think I am not alone when I say having football around right now is like wrapping yourself in a favourite warm blanket.
      There has been criticism that the games have come too thick and fast but people should understand the fixture list is so congested because the league has to finish in time for the scheduled European Championships in June.
      There simply isn’t space in the calendar for any lengthy postponement of fixtures.
      Now there are those who may argue that football and other sports should also be locked down but I would counter that with two factors.
      Allowing elite sports to carry on is good for the nation’s health — and boy, do we need that right now.

      Karren Brady’s West Ham will continue to be in actionCredit: PA:Press Association
      Also, sportsmen and women have been extremely professional in following the Covid guidelines and, as such, they are clearly not putting any further strain on the NHS.
      These are grim times as winter has set in and this blasted coronavirus just refuses to go away.
      When Lockdown 1.0 happened at the end of March, the sun was shining, spring was blooming and it felt very different.
      We now know what we are dealing with and it is very nasty.
      But I think common sense has prevailed both north and south of the border with English and Scottish football continuing.
      True, we are treating elite sports as a special case but surely there has to be some give and take in these dark days.
      Football allows us to dream. It makes us laugh and cry. It makes us feel alive as we support our teams, albeit from the comfort of the sofa in front of the TV.
      At least during Lockdown 3.0 we can enjoy a little semblance of normality.
      For 90 minutes our hopes and fears over Covid-19 can take a back seat.
      And you don’t need VAR to know that is surely a good thing.
      SPOT LUCK
      Hearing Jurgen Klopp mentioning his team’s lack of penalties compared to Manchester United, I wonder what kind of mood he would have been in if instead of the five Liverpool have been awarded this season, compared to United’s six, his team had NONE like mine?
      Some would agree that with Liverpool having had five, United six, Leicester ten and Chelsea five, that if there was any complaining to be done about the lack of penalties, it would be by my manager, David Moyes — but that’s not his style.
      Burnley, West Brom and West Ham have not had a single penalty this season.
      Maybe that tells its own story.

      Manchester United have had six penalties this termCredit: AP:Associated Press

      Premier League clubs consider short-term shutdown after rise in coronavirus cases with matches postponed More

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      Man City legend Sergio Aguero must earn new contract as he enters final six months insists boss Pep Guardiola

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      SERGIO AGUERO is expected to start his bid to earn a new Manchester City deal tomorrow.
      The club’s 256-goal all-time leading scorer has less than six months remaining on his current contract and is free to talk to other clubs.

      Pep Guardiola insists Sergio Aguero, 32, needs to earn his new contract as he goes into the final six months of his Etihad dealCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Sources close to the Argentine striker say he would like to stay — but has heard nothing from City.
      New Paris Saint-Germain coach Mauricio Pochettino is among a host of top bosses watching the situation with interest.
      Aguero has started just three matches so far this season and made six appearances as a sub as City chief Pep Guardiola eases him back in following his summer knee surgery.
      But Pep plans to start the 32-year-old in tomorrow’s FA Cup tie against Birmingham at the Etihad.

      Guardiola, 49, said: “With the players in this part of the season, everything is open.
      “Players who have contracts, players who are out of contract, players who want to leave, everything is open.
      “Like with managers. We have to win our positions or we’ll be sacked. With Sergio, there’s only me knows how much I miss him.
      “He is unique but he’s had a tough injury, really tough. The important thing is his mood is exceptional, better than ever.

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      “He is an important part of the group and he is incredibly loved.
      “He’s optimistic and positive, he’s been saying ‘I will do a good season, I will score a lot of goals’.”
      With Gabriel Jesus out since Christmas due to coronavirus, Guardiola has played without an orthodox forward in the wins at Chelsea and Manchester United.
      Aguero has made strides in his fight to return and there is optimism at the Etihad that he is approaching full fitness.
      Pep added: “In the last ten days or two weeks, his knee’s reaction was really good after the training.
      “This is the best news we can have. He’s going to start and the minutes his level will dicate, if he can play 90 minutes it will be great, or 30 minutes it will be great.
      “What’s important is he has good quality minutes as much as possible but we start from the beginning and we will see what happens.
      “It would be great to have him fit and in the best condition but we don’t want to put him under pressure.

      The Argentine has scored a club-record 256 goals since his 2011 arrivalCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      He came off the bench against Chelsea last weekend but is hopeful of a start against BirminghamCredit: Reuters
      “On Thursday he trained really well, on Friday he was off but if he feels good he’s going to play.”
      City may also have a dilemma over another South American in 35-year-old Fernandinho, whose contract is also running down.
      The Brazilian midfielder is expected to leave in the summer but showed when he scored at Old Trafford on Wednesday that he still has plenty to offer.
      Guardiola said: “All I will say is I’m impressed more than surprised with his role as captain.
      “He’s leading the team in an exceptional way. I’m delighted for all the period together but especially in this season as captain.
      “It’s how he talks with his mates, his coaches, before the game, at half-time. And not just with the players about football — about life, how he behaves every day in training.
      “But it’s not just words. He’s the first who goes out and does it.”

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      National League Chorley hoping to continue tradition of belting out Adele after taking on coronavirus-hit Derby

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      IT HAS been Adele of an FA Cup journey for Chorley so far.
      And tomorrow the National League North giant-killers are targeting ‘Someone Like Roo’ at their Victory Park home.

      Chorley are hoping for another FA Cup upset against DerbyCredit: Rex Features

      The National League side belt out Adele after a win

      The Magpies have seen off League One sides Wigan and Peterborough — as well as York and Gateshead — to get to the third round.
      And their traditional celebration for a big win involves belting out the Adele smash hit ‘Someone Like You’ in the dressing room afterwards.
      Jamie Vermiglio’s men could be singing it again, particularly with Derby boss Wayne Rooney and many of his first-teamers absent due to Covid.
      Andy Preece, director of football and assistant manager of Chorley, said: “We just needed a song that was special to us that everybody knew. It happened to be that Adele song.

      “Everybody knows the words to it, there’s a little bit in the middle where you can really get into it.
      “It’s just great to share something like that at the end of the game, great for camaraderie. You need that togetherness if you’re going to win big games.
      “When we got promoted, had big cups wins, it’s always been that one.”
      FA Cup treble boost: Back Chelsea, Man City and Spurs at 20/1

      We are just missing that shout-out from Adele. Maybe if we had the fans in and they were all singing it then it might have had a bit more prominence

      Preece believes it might even have caught the attention of the superstar singer if the fans had been joining in.
      He said: “We are just missing that shout-out from Adele. Maybe if we had the fans in and they were all singing it then it might have had a bit more prominence.”
      After battling through two qualifying rounds, Chorley were given a bye into the first round.
      They are used to over-turning the odds to get through but Preece insists they have come this far on merit.

      Wayne Rooney’s Derby have been hit with a Covid outbreakCredit: Alamy Live News
      He said: “We’ve been the underdogs right through — we got York, Gateshead, Wigan, Peterborough and Derby.
      “The only one we were favourites for is the round when we got a bye!
      “But the wins we had over Wigan and Peter- borough weren’t flukes — we fully deserved those.”
      Preece himself is no stranger to the magic of the FA Cup, having experienced it as both player and manager.

      As a striker, he got the winner when lowly Stockport bundled Premier League QPR out in 1994 and helped Crystal Palace to the semis a year later.
      He was in charge of Northwich when they put a Charlton side containing Jonjo Shelvey and Darren Randolph out in 2009.
      Preece said: “I tell them about those games and hopefully it makes them realise that it can happen and does — and that it gives them a bit of belief.”

      Chorley’s assistant Andy Preece wants a shoutout from AdeleCredit: Refer to Caption

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      Newcastle investigating Allan Saint-Maximin over alleged quarantine breach after ace was pictured with fan

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      NEWCASTLE were tonight investigating if Allan Saint-Maximin broke quarantine rules as Prem clubs were told to enforce a Covid clampdown.
      League bosses have written to all 20 clubs with the new rules, making clear sanctions.

      Newcastle are investigating if Allan Saint-Maximin broke quarantine rulesCredit: AFP – Getty

      And Saint-Maximin, who is still recovering from Covid, could be in trouble after being pictured with a fan in Sainsbury’s.
      The winger was allowed to spend Christmas in France to rest.
      But the club were unsure if he broke quarantine rules on his return after being snapped at the shop on Thursday.
      Toon boss Steve Bruce said Saint-Maximin, 23, has been back in Newcastle “a while” but was unsure if he breached protocols.

      Newcastle failed to provide further clarification when asked by SunSport.
      Under the revised instructions, clubs were warned they will face action for Covidiocy by their players — such as the breaches by players at Spurs, West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Manchester City recently.
      And players were also informed they must not shake hands, hug each other in celebrations or swap shirts after games.
      And in the email to clubs, League bosses laid down the law for the first time since the summer when the protocols were agreed with the Government.

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      Toon boss Steve Bruce admitted he was unsure whether the winger breached protocolsCredit: AP:Associated Press
      Those regulations demand players wear masks at ALL times on match-day other than when they are playing, engaged in warm-up sessions and giving socially-distanced post-match interviews.
      Clubs must now ensure they follow instructions to transport first-team players and staff to matches in three separate coaches.
      In addition, all external staff working for travel services or in hotels used for stays must have returned negative Covid tests, while each club must submit a risk-assessed travel plan to the League for every game.
      Amid suggestions that too many hangers-on have been accessing grounds on match days, clubs have again been ordered to ensure they each have a maximum of ten representatives in directors’ boxes.
      At training grounds, indoor meetings will be banned unless they are fully socially-distanced, with canteens banned other than on matchdays the previous day.

      And clinical passports will be required by players and staff at training grounds.
      The League said: “It is vital to ensure public, Government and stakeholder confidence in the training and matchday protocols that individual transgressions by relevant persons are appropriately investigated and sanctioned by clubs.
      “Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action by the league individually against the relevant person.”

      Newcastle boss Steve Bruce says Aston Villa’s clash vs Liverpool is ‘morally wrong’ More

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      John Terry’s plans to build poolside bar and triple garage at Surrey mansion given the boot

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      FORMER England star John Terry’s plans to build a poolside bar and triple garage have been given the boot.
      Terry, 40, assistant head coach at Aston Villa, also wanted to add staff quarters to his mansion.

      John Terry’s plans to build a poolside bar and triple garage have been given the bootCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But it led to objections from neighbours and has been refused permission by his council in Surrey.
      The house, close to Chelsea’s training ground at Cobham, already has a library, stables and tennis court.
      Terry and his family regularly host parties around their pool.
      Councillor Imogen Jamieson said neighbours would get “no respite from noise nuisance throughout the year”.

      Terry had been hoping to build an outdoor party space complete with covered seating and a poolside barCredit: CalderpeelArchitects/GuildfordDC

      The football star also wanted to replace the triple garage to house his flash car collectionCredit: CalderpeelArchitects/GuildfordDC

      Surrey council refused plans for the proposed extension saying neighbours would get ‘no respite from noise nuisance throughout the year’Credit: CalderpeelArchitects/GuildfordDC

      The replacement garage — for all his SUVs — was also deemed too large.
      Planner Chris Gent of Guilford Borough Council said “The proposed replacement garage, by virtue of its size, would be materially larger than the building it is to replace and would have a greater impact on the openness of the green belt than the existing development.
      “No very special circumstances have been demonstrated which would outweigh the inherent harm to the green belt.”

      Terry is now assistant head coach at Aston VillaCredit: AFP
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      Arsenal worried Mesut Ozil will SNUB January transfer and pick up £8.75million wages plus loyalty bonus

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      ARSENAL fear they will be stuck with Mesut Ozil until the very last day of his contract despite him being linked with a January move.
      The out-of-favour midfielder, 32, still has 25 weeks of his Gunners contract to run, which means he is due to collect £8.75MILLION between now and the end of June.

      Mesut Ozil’s happy times at Arsenal appear to be well overCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the way his agreement is structured means he will also be due a hefty ‘loyalty bonus’ if he is still at the club when his huge £350,000-a-week deal expires.
      All of which has convinced the Arsenal hierarchy that Ozil will hang around until he has collected every penny due to him.
      Reports in Turkey claim Fenerbahce have agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the German worth £90,000 a week.
      But the Super Lig club are £275m in debt and have already asked fans to donate towards their wage bill.

      The £42.5m signing has also been linked with a move to join DC United in time for the new MLS season in March.
      But Ozil’s agent Dr Erkut Sogut said: “His priority is to stay at Arsenal but things can change very fast in football and he might go, so we are checking all the options for this month and for the summer.”
      It is nine months since Ozil last appeared for the Gunners and he has not even been registered to play in the Premier or Europa Leagues.
      Ozil has now entered the final six months of his deal and is free to talk to clubs abroad, with clubs in the MLS and Turkey both linked with the ex-Real Madrid man.

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      Up until their mini revival over the festive period, Arsenal had struggled for form.
      Some believed that could lead to Ozil coming back into the fold when Arteta names his 25-man squads for domestic competitions and the Europa League at the end of this month.
      Arteta had also stated that the German would not be offered a golden handshake to walkaway from the club.
      ⚽ Read our Arsenal live blog for the latest news from The Emirates

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