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      Liverpool want Ismaila Sarr and are prepared to meet Watford’s £40m asking price to seal transfer

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      LIVERPOOL are ready to bid for speed star Ismaila Sarr — and match Watford’s stunning £40MILLION asking price.
      Senegalese Sarr, 22,  is now top of Liverpool’s hitlist because he can play two roles in attack, either as a wideman or through the middle.

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      Liverpool are ready to meet Watford’s £40m asking price for Ismaila SarrCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      That gives him the edge on their other favourite — Wolves’ Spanish  ace Adama Traore — who is an out and out winger.
      On top of that Sarr would be more prepared to wait for a regular start at Anfield while Traore, 24, would want more game time.
      Watford are prepared to sell and informed the Reds of the price a month ago, as we revealed. Now Jurgen Klopp’s transfer team are getting serious.

      The move would also encourage the pack chasing Rhian Brewster, 20, to think they have a chance of BUYING rather than loaning him.

      Sheffield United and Palace are major admirers of the striker.
      Brewster’s future could be under the spotlight after he missed a penalty in the Community Shield shootout defeat to Arsenal yesterday.
      The youngster was the only one of ten takers to fluff his lines after a 1-1 draw in normal time sent the game to spotkicks.

      Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring for Arsenal in the first half.

      But Takumi Minamino’s second-half equaliser made sure of a shootout.
      But Brewster fluffed his lines, leaving Aubameyang to score the winning penalty for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

      Arsenal celebrate and lift the Community Shield after beating Liverpool at Wembley More

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      Man Utd ready to snatch Red Bull Salzburg striker Patson Daka after missing out on Erling Haaland transfer in 2018

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are weighing up a move for Red Bull Salzburg striker Patson Daka.
      The Zambia hotshot scored twice in Salzburg’s friendly 2-2 draw with Premier League champions Liverpool last week.

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      Man Utd are considering a move for RB Salzburg striker Patson Daka
      And United are jostling with the Reds and a number of other big clubs who have been tracking him.
      Daka, 21, scored 24 goals in 31 league games as Salzburg won the Austrian title for the seventh year in a row, despite selling star striker Erling Haaland in January.
      Sadio Mane, Naby Keita and Takumi Minamino were developed at the Austrian club and Daka is the latest off the production line.
      But United would be serious rivals if Salzburg were prepared to sell Daka.

      The young star would not be cheap, with a fee of £20million plus, as he signed a new contract last year that runs until 2024.
      United also have other transfer targets, with hopes of bringing in Jadon Sancho not yet dead.
      But on the other hand United know the cost of not swooping for young talent soon enough.
      Old Trafford chiefs hesitated over a deal to sign Haaland from Norwegian side Molde for an initial fee of £2.7m in July 2018.

      Salzburg took their chance and then sold Haaland for £18m to Dortmund, where he has developed into a player rated at £100m.
      United were also in pole position to sign Moussa Dembele from Fulham in 2016.

      The French striker moved to Celtic instead.
      But the Premier League giants were nowhere to be seen when Dembele joined Lyon in 2018.
      Now Dembele is back on their radar, but would cost £60m.

      Jeff Stelling confirms he could quit Soccer Saturday after Sky Sports sacked pals Le Tissier, Nicholas and Thompson More

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      Liverpool star Takumi Minamino joined Liverpool on ex-Man Utd ace Shinji Kagawa’s advice.. and it’s a good job he did

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      LIVERPOOL have a former Manchester United player to thank for the arrival of Takumi Minamino at Anfield.
      And it is a good job the Japanese international listened to fellow countryman Shinji Kagawa – who played under Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund – and agreed to the move from Red Bull Salzburg.

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      Takumi Minamino came off the bench to score and also netted in the shoot-out defeatCredit: PA:Press Association

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      The starlet played with Japan legend Shinji Kagawa, right, for his countryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      With little likely to happen on the transfer front at Liverpool – particularly in the offensive department – Minamino could have a major role to play this season when the front three are struggling.
       And his goalscoring substitute appearance was certainly the most encouraging aspect of the champions’ run-out at Wembley.
      Kagawa, who told Minamino that Klopp is the best coach he has ever played for, failed to set Old Trafford alight in his two years at the club.
       Minamino, 25, is lucky that he is not being weighed down by a price tag. His release clause from Red Bull Salzburg was just £7.25million – even though he was worth £35m.

      After being given a few months to get his feet under the table as Liverpool sauntered towards the title, Minamino could now be under a considerable amount of pressure because Liverpool’s attacking options are so limited after Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Bobby Firmino.
      Divock Origi, a bit-part player at best despite being a cult hero among Reds fans, was not involved yesterday.
      Other than Minamino, Klopp’s only other attacking option was Rhian Brewster. He was brought on as a substitute for the penalties and promptly missed from the spot. 
      Arsenal – who defended well and were superb in possession – were comfortably the better team until Klopp made his changes just before the hour.

      The Premier League opening day fixtures for 2020-21 have been revealed
      He switched from 4-3-3 to a 4-2-3-1 with Minamino being introduced alongside Naby Keita, who also added some urgency in midfield.
      Salah moved to a central position, with Mane out wide to the right, Firmino as a number 10 and Minamino out left.
      Firmino and Minamino caused Arsenal’s previously solid defence some problems by inter-changing. When Minamono was handed a chance, he gobbled it up, giving impressive keeper Emi Martinez no chance.
      Minamino also made no mistake with his penalty in the spot-kicks with Klopp delighted with both finishes.
      He said: “It is very important for us because it was the only thing he missed so far – scoring for us in whichever game. Today it was finally there and it helps us a lot. It was good.”
      With Arsenal deserved winners, Klopp would not have shed too many tears at failing to land a fifth trophy as Liverpool manager. 
      For a start, he did not even want to take part in the fixture and the champions appeared to be doing their best last month to try and avoid playing.

      But you would hope that some of his players – including Salah – will certainly be a lot sharper when Leeds visit Merseyside on September 12.
      You can bet Marcelo Bielsa will have a few tricks up his sleeve.
      And if the Argentine coach gets someone to get the binoculars out at Melwood, they should have another look at Minamino. More

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      Footie legend Harry Redknapp on the royals, lockdown and Jamie’s love life as he becomes our new columnist

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      IT was Harry Redknapp’s cheerful personality and down-to-earth attitude that helped him land a new generation of fans to win   2018’s   I’m  A  Celebrity.
      Even lockdown could not get him down. He took the time to rekindle friendships with the boys he grew up with in ­London’s East End and looked forward to a daily walk on the beach with Sandra, the wife he is still besotted with after 52 years.

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      Harry Redknapp is The Sun on Sunday’s brilliant new sports columnistCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun

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      In an interview to mark his arrival, the footie legend spoke candidly about his son Jamie’s love lifeCredit: Getty

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      He also spoke about missing his family, such as grandsons Charley and Beau, during lockdownCredit: Instagram

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      And the I’m A Celebrity winner chatted about his upcoming reality TV projectsCredit: Rex Features
      Harry said: “I am happiest just being with her. We don’t have a secret — I was just lucky, had a result. I know when I am well-off.”
      But in an interview to mark his arrival as The Sun on Sunday’s ­brilliant new sports columnist, we discovered a very different side to the 73-year-old.
      Harry spoke to us candidly about son Jamie’s love life, his new reality TV projects and views on the Royal Family.
      And he opened up about the sadness and abuse he ­suffered during his time managing some of England’s biggest football clubs.

      He said: “Depression wasn’t even a thing back then. I don’t know if I was — I just know I felt very low at times. If it had been these days I may have had to go and see ­someone and talk it through.
      “I am a worrier — I worried if we lost a match. It was like a bereavement, I couldn’t cope with it.
      “I was so low — I didn’t realise how low. I couldn’t pull myself out of it.
      ‘SHE’LL SCREAM AT ME’
      “When things went bad I felt responsible for the club, the supporters. I didn’t cry but I didn’t want to see or talk to anybody.

      “The feelings I felt, the lows, only stopped when I left football. I had abuse too, which was horrendous at times.”
      Harry met me at Rick Stein’s ­restaurant, a short walk from his ­luxury home in Sandbanks, Dorset.
      He heads there most mornings for a coffee and the staff greet him like a long-lost friend.
      But Harry instantly whispered to me: “Sand doesn’t know I am here, I have to be quick. We’re in the middle of moving house and it is chaos.
      “You cannot believe what Sand is having to pack up — I think we could find Lord Lucan before long.
      “The amount of sorting out is ridiculous. She and my daughter-in-law Lucy are doing it, non-stop. They are amazing.
      “We are moving just ten minutes away, off the coast, a bit more into the country.

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      Harry is still besotted with wife Sandra after 52 years – pictured here in 1977

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      The couple are currently in the process of moving out of their Dorset homeCredit: Getty
      “I like feeding the birds and ­robins instead of seagulls all day s**tting on your head.
      “I keep going back and forth to the charity shops, dropping car-loads of gear off — suits and Sandra’s clothes, all sorts.
      “If I’m too long she’ll scream at me when I go back and give away my golf clubs.”
      The pair are still blissfully happy. The previous night Harry says they went out for pasta and wine, and the only thing they missed during ­lockdown was their family.
      Son Mark, 50, and his wife Lucy have five children and live nearby while footie pundit Jamie, 47, has two children with ex-wife Louise — ­Charley 16, and Beau, 11 — and lives near London.
      The couple split in 2017 after 19 years and we revealed Jamie is now dating Swedish model Frida Andersson-Lourie, 37.
      Harry said: “Lockdown was fantastic. We walked on the beach with our bulldogs, nobody around, the weather was amazing. We looked forward to it.
      “The kids and grandkids would come and stand outside the house. Sandra FaceTimed them too — I’m useless at that stuff. My granddaughter does my Instagram account but I don’t really know what Instagram is.
      “We did meet Frida and she is lovely, very nice, but I don’t want to talk about Jamie’s new relationship.
      “The last thing I want to do is upset Lou. It is upsetting that Jamie and Lou aren’t together. It was a complete shock.
      “We love Lou, we still speak to her of course. Sandra speaks to her mum.
      “She is the mother of our ­grandkids and she’s still part of the family. But Jamie seems happy.”
      Harry and Sandra’s bulldogs Lulu and Barney are also part of the ­family and his face drops as he recalls an incident during lockdown that left 11-year-old Lulu deaf.
      He said: “Sand and I went for a walk and I bought a big ice-cream, then somebody stopped to chat.
      “When I looked round, Lulu had eaten two balls of ice cream — bosh, straight down. For the next ten days she was really ill and then she couldn’t hear anything.

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      Talking about Louise and Jamie’s split, Harry said ‘it was a complete shock, it’s upsetting that they aren’t together’Credit: Rex Features

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      He said Jamie’s new girlfriend Frida Andersson-Lourie is ‘lovely and very nice’

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      But Louise, the mother of his grandkids, will always be part of the familyCredit: Instagram

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      Harry’s dogs Barney and Lulu are also part of the tight-knit familyCredit: ITV

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      His face dropped as he recalled and incident that left 11-year-old Lulu deafCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun
      “She lost all her energy and wouldn’t eat. The vet said it might be because she was old but I said, ‘No, this ice-cream has changed her.’ She can’t hear a thing.
      “She is fine. She follows Barney around and we were both home to look after her all the time.”
      Without a busy schedule Harry was also able to trace long-lost pals he grew up with on a council estate in Poplar, East London.
      ‘OLD MATES ARE THE BEST’
      He said: “I had time to look through old photos and albums and got in touch with mates I hadn’t spoken to since I was 14. Covid helped me rekindle friendships — I love that. Your old mates are the best mates.
      “One hadn’t been well and he was in hospital with the Covid. I rang his wife to see how he was.”
      Despite his working-class roots Harry is able to mix with all walks of life, and he laughs as he recalls meeting Princess Beatrice — though he says: “Well, I think it was ­Beatrice. She was a friend of a pal of Jamie’s and they were ­having ­dinner and I came along.
      “She told me about her nan who liked horse racing and I told her about my nan who was a bookie’s runner when we were growing up and would take bets off Cyril the paper boy and get arrested.
      “Beatrice said, ‘My grandmother loves racing,’ and said she’d won the Gold Cup the last year at Ascot. I was thinking, ‘She must have a good horse.’ Then I thought, ‘Who won last year?’
      “Then I ­realised it was the Queen and I was thinking, ‘What’s she got to do with the Queen?’ I eventually sussed it all out and said, ‘Do you reckon she took bets with Cyril the paper boy, your nan?’ She started laughing. She was lovely.”
      Harry also bumped into Prince Harry before he and Meghan moved to America.
      He recalled: “I thought he was a real great ­character, one of the lads. I loved Harry. I am sorry they’ve left the country now. But I suppose he has to get on with his life.”
      Last year there were calls for the football veteran to be knighted but he shakes his head and adds: “No chance, no. Doctors, nurses — they should be knighted, not idiots like me doing I’m A Celebrity.”
      But he loves his new-found TV fame and has no plans to retire.
      He said: “During lockdown Jamie and I did six episodes of a new Sky chat show.
      “We had four guests for each show including Robbie Williams, Rory McIlroy and Tyson Fury.
      “It was good fun working with Jamie. I’m doing a new series of Harry’s Heroes too. I really enjoyed it, they’re great lads.”

      Sport is clearly central to Harry’s life and he said: “That’s why I can’t wait to be your ­columnist again. We have always read the paper.
      “I live and breathe sport — I go to the football every week. I just watch it now though, I’ll never be a manager again.”
      But before he gets up to rush back to Sandra he stops, giggles and admits: “Well, unless I get asked to do the England job.”

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      Harry joined The Sun’s Jane Atkinson at Rick Stein’s restaurantCredit: Louis Wood – The Sun

      Inside Harry Redknapp’s Sandbanks mansion which ex-Tottenham boss is selling for £7million
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      Harry Maguire was arrested by undercover cops drafted in from mainland Greece to target organised crime on Mykonos

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      HARRY Maguire was arrested by top undercover cops drafted in from mainland Greece to target organised crime on Mykonos.
      The detectives were on the holiday island to monitor drug dealing and protection rackets when they were called in to help detain the England ace.
      ⚠️Click here for the latest news on Harry Maguire

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      Harry Maguire was arrested on the Greek island of Mykonos on August 20Credit: BBC supplied by Pixel8000

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      Harry’s pals said two Albanians had injected his sister Daisy, left, with a drugCredit: Refer to Caption
      It emerged on Saturday they were specially trained in anti-corruption and bribery — an accusation levelled at the Man United skipper, 27.
      Maguire feared he was being kidnapped when the plain clothes men pounced.
      It followed a row sparked when Harry’s pals said two Albanians had injected his sister Daisy, 20, with a drug as they waited for a minibus in the Fabrika area.

      The police, we can reveal, were among a team of 120 sent in to grapple with the seedier side of Mykonos, dubbed the “new Ibiza”.
      The island — population 15,000 — attracts three million tourists a year and organised crime gangs who traffic drugs and offer prostitutes.

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      The Man Utd captain leaves a court building on the island of Syros, Greece, on August 22Credit: EPA

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      Joe Maguire, pictured centre with brothers Laurence, left, and Harry, right, got a suspended sentence

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      Mykonos is known as a party island – but is beset by organised crimeCredit: Instagram @cavoparadisoclub
      Athens police HQ first sent in its best men two years ago when the criminals got “out of control”.
      Veteran Greek crime reporter Giorgos Sombolos said: “Mykonos is a paradise for anyone who wants to spend money. It’s a show-off town, and a perfect place to launder cash.

      “It’s also the place for serious high-end criminals.”

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      Mykonos gangs offer the island’s three million tourists high-class prostitutes

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      Greek cops seized kilos of ‘pink cocaine’ the day before Maguire’s arrest

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      Mykonos is ‘a perfect place to launder cash,’ says veteran Greek crime reporter Giorgos Sombolos
      The day before Maguire’s arrest, cops busted an illegal lockdown party and seized kilos of “pink cocaine”, a synthetic drug similar to MDMA and popular with clubbers.
      Maguire received a 21-month suspended sentence after he was convicted of attempted bribery, assault, verbal assault and attacking cops.
      A source close to the player said: “If these are anti-corruption police, what are they doing being called to an incident outside a bar? 

      The charge sheet in full

      THE full charge sheet against Harry Maguire alleges that he committed “repeated bodily harm”, “repeated verbal abuse”, “violence against employees” and “bribing an employee”.

      The Sun on Sunday has exclusively obtained a copy of the Greek document presented in the case against the footie star. It lists the accused as “MAGUIRE Harry-Jacob of Alan, resident of the United Kingdom” alongside his brother Joe and pal Chris Sharman.
      The document was given to the defence only two hours before the trial in the misdemeanours court on  Syros.
      Usually, defence lawyers are granted adjournments to prepare but Alexis Anagnostakis, for Maguire, was refused.

      “Harry has said these are the cops who were aggressive.
      “The whole thing is a fit-up and this just shows that.”
      Maguire’s brother Joe, 28, and pal Chris Sharman, 29, got 13-month suspended sentences for similar offences.
      All have appealed and are “presumed innocent” until they face a retrial.

      Harry Maguire tells the BBC he is ‘confident that something happened with Daisy, there was a mark on her arm’
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      Chelsea to launch Declan Rice transfer raid which would bring summer spend to above £250m

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      CHELSEA are ready to push their summer spend above £250million by finally making a firm bid for Declan Rice.
      The Blues have already splashed out £131.3m to sign Timo Werner, plus Hakim Ziyech and Ben Chilwell.

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      West Ham’s versatile England star Declan Rice is now the top remaining target for Chelsea chief Frank LampardCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      West Ham manager David Moyes hopes to sell Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini, to help his attempts to keep Declan RiceCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Kai Havertz is also due, in a deal costing £72.2m before bonuses — with Malang Sarr and Thiago Silva arriving on frees.
      Boss Frank Lampard still wants Rice from West Ham, who rate him at £80m and won’t make it easy to strike a deal.
      Lamps sees 21-year-old midfielder Rice — who also plays in defence — as the ideal man to help the club get back in the Premier League title mix.
      The Stamford Bridge outfit are prepared to play the long game, knowing West Ham need to sell before they buy.

      Rice is seen as perfect for the Blues squad — a natural leader willing to learn from experienced stars like former Paris Saint-Germain captain Silva, 35, who completed his Blues move yesterday.
      Hammers’ boss David Moyes is desperate to offload Felipe Anderson and Manuel Lanzini to give him some cash to make improvements after a poor 2019-20.

      But there is limited interest, and unless bids come in soon selling Rice may be the only option.
      Chelsea know they are in a strong position — which is likely to see them try to push the fee well down from the £80m West Ham want.

      Leicester had wanted £70m for Chilwell before settling for £50m and the Blues hope they can get a similar discount on Rice.

      Chelsea signing Sarr visits hometown school as part of Adams Association charity More

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      Iceland furious as Premier League stars Gylfi Sigurdsson and Gudmundsson miss England Nations League clash

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      ICELAND are fuming after their two Premier League stars refused to play against England.
      Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson and Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson have made themselves unavailable for the Uefa Nations League clash in Reykjavik next Saturday.

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      Midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has opted to stay with Everton, whose Premier League opener is against Spurs on September 13.Credit: Rex Features

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      Ex-Charlton ace Johann Berg Gudmundsson snubbed Iceland vs England even though Burnley do not play until September 19Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      The midfield duo will also miss Iceland’s trip to Belgium three days later.
      Iceland coach Erik Hamren said: “Due to their situation at the clubs, they have chosen not to come.
      “They have been honest with me and told me the situation they have and the reason they have taken this sad decision.
      “They really wanted to play for Iceland and are not feeling good but still need to do it.

      “Of course I am not happy with this. I have to accept it.”

      If I look at the individual situations, I can understand. But I have glasses for the team and, as I said, I am not happy.
      Iceland coach Erik Hamren

      Sigurdsson, 30, has decided to stay with Everton, who face Spurs in their Premier League opener on September 13.
      Gudmundsson, 29, has opted not to play — although Burnley’s game against Manchester United has been postponed.
      The Clarets do not play until a trip to Leicester on September 19.

      Iceland will be without their five best players next weekend.
      Former Cardiff star Aron Gunnarsson has been blocked from travelling under new Fifa rules by his Qatari club Al Arabi, while Augsburg’s Alfred Finnbogason also made himself unavailable and Copenhagen ace Ragnar Sigurdsson is crocked.
      Swede Hamren, who named Millwall attacker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in his squad yesterday, added: “If I look at the individual situations, I can understand.

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      Ex-Cardiff midfielder Aron Gunnarsson was blocked from travelling by his club Al Arabi under new Fifa rules Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Millwall winger Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is in a weakened Iceland squad to take on EnglandCredit: Alamy Live News
      “But I have glasses for the team and, as I said, I am not happy.
      “Many people in the world have and are still having tough times with this Covid virus so I have no rights to complain.”
      England will be keen to avoid another upset by Iceland, who knocked them out of Euro 2016 in Nice.
      Assistant coach Freyr Alexandersson said: “Gareth Southgate has done a fantastic job with this team and they will show up with their strongest squad. That is good.
      SOUTHGATE’S NIGHTMARE
      “We want to play the best at their strongest. That’s how we learn.”
      But the game is also proving to be a nightmare for Three Lions’ boss Southgate.
      Five of his squad tested positive for Covid-19, although some are expected to have recovered and be ready to report for training at St George’s Park on Monday.
      Southgate will make a final decision over who to withdraw tomorrow.

      This includes Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford, who is likely to miss out with an ankle problem.
      England fly to Reykjavik on Friday for the match at 5pm on Saturday.
      They will remain there for an extra day before heading to Denmark on September 7 for their clash 24 hours later.           More

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      Aaron Mooy joins Shanghai SIPG in shock £7.5m transfer as Brighton sign Adam Lallana

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      AARON MOOY has completed a surprise £7.5million switch to Shanghai SIPG.
      The Australian, who only joined Brighton on a permanent basis from Huddersfield in January following a loan, is believed to have signed a three-year contract worth around £50,000 a week.

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      Aaron Mooy is swapping the Premier League for Shanghai just seven months after signing a permanent deal for BrightonCredit: Reuters

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      Brighton are content with Australia star Aaron Mooy leaving as they are well-stocked with midfieldersCredit: Reuters
      SunSport understands Chinese Super League side Shanghai showed interest in the 29-year-old during the last transfer window.
      But they have had to wait until now to complete a deal which sees Albion make around a £2.5m profit on a player turning 30 next month.
      Brighton are well stocked for playmakers having signed Adam Lallana from Liverpool this summer.
      Mooy’s move, which is still subject to international clearance, has been hailed by Graham Potter as “a good move for all parties”.

      The Seagulls chief said: “Aaron has been an excellent professional during his time with us. From day one with us he fitted in really well.
      ”It’s a good move for all parties. We have a number of really good players in that position and therefore Aaron goes with our blessing.
      “I have really enjoyed working with him, and on behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him well for the future.”

      Mooy made 32 appearances for Brighton, with both of his two goals coming against relegated Bournemouth.

      The Sydney-born ace will link up at Shanghai with Brazilian superstars Hulk and Oscar, previously of Chelsea.
      And ex-Spurs stopper Ian Walker is their goalkeeping coach. More