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    James Maddison signs mega-money Leicester extension in blow to Man Utd

    JAMES MADDISON has agreed to a double-your-money deal at Leicester.
    In a massive boost to the Foxes ahead of their Champions League shootout against Manchester United today,  Maddison committed himself to the club until 2025.

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    James Maddison has agreed to a double-your-money contract extension at Leicester
    The England midfielder, who misses this afternoon’s vital clash through a hip injury, will earn around £95,000 a week including bonuses.
    That package makes him one of Leicester’s highest-paid players behind top-earner Jamie Vardy, who is on around £120,000 a week.
    The Midlands club is expected to announce Maddison’s contract as early as this week.
    Maddison, 23, who made his senior England debut in November, had been linked with a big-money move to  United.

    Leicester signed him in 2018  from Norwich for £22million and extending his initial five-year deal  is an important statement of intent by the club.
    Brendan Rodgers’ side are fifth in the Premier League table, one point behind United and Chelsea ahead of today’s final day of the season.
    But even if the Foxes fall short of a top-four finish on this occasion, the club’s owners have no intention of reining in their ambitions.

    A new £100m training ground is due to open soon in Seagrave — and Rodgers believes it  will play a big part in helping Leicester continue to compete at the top end of the Premier League.

    Convincing Maddison to extend his stay is another  piece in the jigsaw.
    Talks to agree a new deal for the star began well before the Covid-19 pandemic.

    James Maddison will NOT be joining Man Utd this transfer window, insists Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers More

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    Tyson Fury edges Anthony Joshua in form after Deontay Wilder win, claims ex-champ David Haye

    TYSON FURY edges the formbook boast over Anthony Joshua because he toppled Deontay Wilder first, says David Haye.
    AJ took aim at the Gypsy King’s career last week, accusing him of enjoying just two high-profile wins against long-reigning Wladimir Klitschko.

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    Tyson Fury produced on of the great heavyweight performances to dismantle Deontay Wilder in their rematch to a controversial drawCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Anthony Joshua claims he has more big scalps than Brit rival Tyson FuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Tyson Fury deserves the most credi for destroying Deontay Wilder, says David HayeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Joshua feels his collection of scalps — including Dillian Whyte, Klitschko, Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin — far outstrips Fury’s record.
    But Fury secured his first fight with Bronze Bomber Wilder back in 2018.
    And former two-weight king Haye feels that is the only chink in AJ’s argument that he is the best British heavyweight around.
    The Hayemaker told SunSport: “I have never been a big fan of comparing fighters’ records against each other.

    “You don’t know if they caught a great name in decline or faced a good prospect on the rise.
    “I am sure the version of Klitschko that AJ beat was different to the Klitschko that Fury beat.

    A lot of people say Fury is the big favourite on the back of the Wilder win but we don’t know if AJ would have done it easier.
    David Haye

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    David Haye and Lennox Lewis Las VegasCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    But one thing is clear — the best fighter who could have been on either of their resumes was Wilder.
    “Does that mean that Fury is better? You never know because AJ might have beaten Wilder first, in even better style. We will never know.”

    Haye, who was, speaking at the launch of his Black Mask company, wants to see Fury and AJ settle their feud.
    He added: “I hear a lot of people say Fury is the big favourite on the back of the Wilder win, but we don’t know if AJ would have done it easier.

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    Former two-weight world champ David Haye has put together a facemask lineCredit: RVDS
    “You could make the case that AJ has led a cleaner life-style and never ballooned up to 28st.
    But Tyson has been boxing for a lot longer, since he was a child.”
     David Haye’s facemask line by The Black Mask Company is now available for purchase, starting from £9.50. Visit www.theblackmaskcompany.com

    Tyson Fury sends message to old sparring partner Joe Joyce urging him to ‘smash’ Michael Wallisch More

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    Frank Lampard doesn’t need any tips on management and will move past Klopp row, claims Harry Redknapp

    HARRY REDKNAPP reckons Frank Lampard can handle life as a top-flight boss — and does not need any advice from anybody.
    But he also believes Chelsea’s manager and Liverpool chief Jurgen Klopp need to bury the hatchet and move on after their Anfield fallout.

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    Jurgen Klopp and Frank Lampard were involved in a touchline spatCredit: PA:Press Association
    Lamps claimed a member of the Kop bench “crossed a line” during the Blues’ 5-3 defeat last week.
    And Klopp told Lampard that bust-ups end with the final whistle and that he has to “learn”.
    Former Tottenham and West Ham boss Redknapp said: “Frank has been around professional football since he was a toddler.

    “He doesn’t need advice from anyone, although I’ve lots of respect for Klopp.
    “Frank is very calm usually, he doesn’t tend to get involved in things like this.
    “For him to react like that, it must have been something to really wind him up.”
    Redknapp —­ Lampard’s uncle — added: “Frank respects Jurgen. And I know he will just want to shake hands on it if he can and move on.

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    Harry Redknapp believes Lampard doesn’t need any managerial tipsCredit: Splash News

    “You don’t play so long at the very top and then become a Premier League manager so quickly if you don’t have brains.
    “It would be good for them just to put it behind them.
    “Their paths will cross and it doesn’t help either of them if they can’t just see it as one of those moments when tempers are frayed.”

    Klopp rubbishes Lampard’s ‘arrogant’ blast and says Chelsea boss has much to ‘learn’ after ‘f*** off’ touchline row More

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    Lionel Messi urges Barcelona to nab Leeds promotion hero Marcelo Bielsa to replace under-fire Quique Setien

    LIONEL MESSI has told Barcelona to snatch Marcelo Bielsa from Leeds to become the new boss at the Nou Camp.
    Bielsa is yet agree a new contract with Leeds, with his existing deal running out this week after leading the club back to the promised land of the Premier League.

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    Lionel Messi wants Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa to become the new Barca boss
    And Messi wants Barca to go all out to try to tempt the 64-year-old away from Yorkshire to take over from under-fire Quique Setien at the LaLiga giants.
    Barcelona are in a state of turmoil on and off the pitch, with bitter rivals Real Madrid winning the title amid financial problems at the club which is forcing them to sell key players.
    Coach Setien’s position is already under threat just six months after he succeeded Ernesto Valverde – with his strained relationship with Messi one of the biggest problems.

    There is the added distraction of a race to become the new president of the club, with current incumbent Josep Maria Bartomeu facing criticism for his handling of affairs.
    Bartomeu is thought to favour making club legend Xavi the new manager, but the former midfield maestro has reservations about taking control with so many problems on and off the field.
    And Messi – who carries huge influence at the Nou Camp – believes the ideal solution would be to bring in Argentine compatriot Bielsa to sort the place out.

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    Marcelo Bielsa has guided Leeds to the Premier League after 16 years awayCredit: PA:Press Association

    As the man idolised by Pep Guardiola for his coaching beliefs, Bielsa’s approach to the game is one Messi feels would work well at Barcelona.

    No contact has been made by the Spanish club with the manager’s representatives but the threat of a move will set alarm bells ringing at Elland Road.
    Club bosses had been relaxed about delaying new talks to allow Bielsa to enjoy the celebrations of promotion – but now they may need to act with some urgency to avoid the prospect of losing their main man.

    Stats say that Lionel Messi would have won Ballon d’Or this season with Cristiano Ronaldo missing out on the top three More

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    West Ham, Leeds and Crystal Palace told Eberechi Eze will cost at least £20m by QPR

    QUEENS PARK RANGERS have told clubs tracking Eberechi Eze not to waste their time with offers unless they are at least £20million.
    West Ham, Leeds and Crsytal Palace are all locked in a battle to sign the dazzling 22-year-old who is regarded as the most naturally gifted player outside the Premier League.

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    QPR have told clubs tracking Eberechi Eze not to waste their time with offers under £20m
    Tottenham have also been tracking Eze, who scored 14 and recorded a further 14 assists last season in a QPR side which struggled without him in the Championship.
    Bosses at the Kieyan Prince Stadium are resigned to the fact Eze – who scored a stunning goal against West Brom on Tuesday – has played his last game for the club and know they will not be able to stop him playing Premier League football.
    But they also know he has a market value and are not prepared to even entertain offers from top flight clubs which are realistic.
    When West Ham signed Jarrod Bowen from Hull in January they paid £20m – and given his success at the London Stadium since then they feel that kind of figure is where bidding should start.

    And QPR now hope there is enough competition for their star player to help spark a bidding war which would drive up the fee.
    Championship king Leeds want playmaker Eze to lead their return to the Premier League.

    Marcelo Bielsa has identified the exciting England Under-21 international as the creative spark his team will need next season.
    Sunsport revealed Leeds first declared their interest in Eze in January and told QPR that they would come in with a firm bid if they were promoted.

    Now they are preparing to fulfil that promise when the transfer window officially opens next Monday.

    West Ham boss Moyes confirms Tomas Soucek transfer More

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    Tottenham lead transfer race for £10million England striker Callum Wilson – if Bournemouth are relegated

    TOTTENHAM are heading the hunt for England striker Callum Wilson – if Bournemouth are relegated today.
    Supremo Daniel Levy is ready to make a quick offer for Wilson, who could leave the Cherries for as little as £10million.

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    Tottenham are ready to swoop for Callum Wilson if Bournemouth fail in their bid to avoid relegationCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Wilson has suffered this season as Eddie Howe’s men nosedive towards the drop but his reputation is still high and he would be ideal cover for Harry Kane.
    Bournemouth have resisted all moves for Wilson in the past and usually slap him on long term deals with pay rises to keep him happy.
    Ironically that strategy is now working against them as they will try hard to get his salary off their books.
    Wilson is currently in around £110,000-a-week and – even with a cut if they go down – that is too much for Bournemouth to pick up.
    Others like Josh King and David Brooks will head out while there will be interest in Jefferson Lerma and keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
    WEST HAM will sell flop Sebastien Haller — with old coach Niko Kovac keen on him at Monaco.
    The £42million club-record buy, 26, was  left out as boss David Moyes guided the Hammers to safety post-lockdown.

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    Hammers frontman Sebastien Haller could be on his way to Ligue 1 giants MonacoCredit: Getty – Contributor

    Now there is a  possible escape for the target man through  Monaco’s ex-Eintracht Frankfurt boss Kovac.
    West Ham will not recoup the cash they paid Frankfurt but they could accept a decent fee or even a loan arrangement.
    Moyes sees  Michail Antonio as his No 1 hitman.  But that will not stop the Scot bringing in other strikers and moving on several fringe men. 

    Jamie Ohara asks if Eddie Howe deserves to stay at Bournemouth More

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    Wigan’s administrators want a new buyer to pay the crisis club’s wages next week

    WIGAN’S administrators want a new buyer to pay the crisis club’s wages NEXT WEEK.
    The hard-up outfit face a financial headache as they try to sell players in a hurry to sort out their bills.

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    Latics boss Paul Cook faces a new blow to his plans as interested buyers would need to fork out immediately for wagesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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    Wigan’s crisis is deepening but they are appealing against a 12-point deductionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    But this new demand has shocked potential bidders who will have to fork out around £1million in salaries immediately.
    Paul Cook’s squad are due their August pay cheques in full and the administrators want a buyer to sign up for this as they struggle to raise the funds by player sales.
    Most will have cuts in their deals after relegation while some will have left to reduce the amount from its previous £1.6m level.
    But it is an instant extra demand when any buyer is already under huge pressure to exchange contracts by Friday.

    If the Wigan players cannot be paid within a fortnight then they can ALL give notice to leave for nothing, putting the club on the brink of meltdown.
    This has put off some prospective buyers who are already anxious about the overall price of taking on a League One club.
    The administrators want around £7-8m from the new owner who will also have to show funds for two years to the EFL.

    Ironically that number has dropped since relegation, with around £20m needed to hold in reserve.
    The admin process has been difficult so far.
    I can reveal that the first preferred bidder dropped out within hours of being offered the Latics.
    A second was due to sign on Thursday by noon AND hand over a £100,000 deposit.

    The time frame is made worse by the fact Wigan are appealing against the 12-point for going into administration that sent them down.
    That hearing is also on Friday, with a decision due soon after and hopefully before the EFL confirm promotion and relegation at a meeting a week later.
    In a further twist, if Wigan are successful then the new buyer would then have to pay MORE wages as the players would still be on Championship terms.

    David Marshall shows his goalkeeping skills as he joins in training at Wigan More

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    Sheffield United and Swansea battle to secure Liverpool whizkid Rhian Brewster in loan transfer

    YOUNG Liverpool star Rhian Brewster is wanted on loan by Sheffield United in a three-way fight.
    The forward has been sensational for Swansea — his six goals since the restart have fired them into the Championship play-offs.

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    Rhian Brewster is wanted on loan by Sheffield UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Swans are hoping Brewster, 20, could yet take them back to the Premier League — in which case they would ask for him to return for next season.
    But Blades manager Chris Wilder wants to take him to Bramall Lane to add fresh legs and threat to his forward line.
    United would have to convince Liverpool that Brewster will play often enough to justify the move.

    However, the biggest threat to the loan switch is that Jurgen Klopp may opt to keep the England Under-21 ace and use him as cover for his attack.

    Liverpool are yet to decide what to do with rising star Brewster next season but the youngster seems sure to be playing in the top flight.
    Wilder has a chance of landing his man although Swansea missing out on promotion would be a bonus for his cause in the coming weeks.

    Meanwhile, Sheffield United’s French forward Lys Mousset on his way to create a vacancy for Brewster.
    And Blades keeper Jake Eastwood could move on loan by Bolton.

    Wilder is looking for a new No 1 and may try his luck with an offer for Bournemouth’s Aaron Ramsdale if he cannot get Dean Henderson back from Manchester United on loan.

    Premier League 2020-21 season to start on September 12 but fixtures will be released just three weeks before kick-off More