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    Manuel Lanzini and Fabien Balbuena can leave West ham as David Moyes eyes transfer shake-up

    WEST HAM are open to offers for Manuel Lanzini and Fabien Balbuena as David Moyes looks to rebuild his squad.
    The Hammers all but secured their Premier League status with Friday’s 3-1 win over Watford.

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    Manuel Lanzini has fallen down David Moyes’ pecking order at West HamCredit: Andy Hooper
    Now boss Moyes is keen to bring in younger players this summer to freshen up his team and add some much-needed speed.
    But with limited money, he will have to sell to finance his plans.
    Lanzini, 27, was once a target for  Liverpool and valued at around £40million but the Argentina star has been a shadow of his former self since a knee injury on the eve of the 2018 World Cup.
    With Pablo Fornals a younger and fitter option in a similar position, Lanzini is no longer a regular starter and the club would listen to reasonable offers.

    Centre-back Balbuena is another who has struggled for fitness and form and has not convinced Moyes he can be relied upon.
    The  Paraguayan, 28, is understood to be open to the chance to move back to South America after two years in the Premier League.
    Scot Moyes looks to have discovered a new Marouane Fellaini in  Tomas Soucek.

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    Fabien Balbuena (left) could be on his way out of West Ham just two years after signing for the club for £6.5million from Corinthians Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    The Czech giant, 23, is similar in size to 6ft 4in Fellaini, whom  Moyes signed for Everton and  Manchester United.

    His bullet header against fellow strugglers Watford was reminiscent of the big-haired Belgian.

    Our physical stats were very poor, we needed to add some more legs to the midfield
    David Moyes

    And Moyes can see why comparisons are being drawn to his former favourite.
    The Hammers chief said: “When we came here in January, we needed to add some more energy to the team.
    “Our physical stats were very poor, we needed to add some more legs to the midfield. That was our priority.

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    David Moyes is due to freshen up his side this summer. The Hammers boss hopes to bring in younger players during the transfer windowCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
    “Thankfully we got Tomas because not only does he give us good energy and good physicality, he’s got a great goal-scoring record.”
    Soucek, who has 25 caps for his country, hit ten goals in 19 games for Slavia Prague before joining West Ham on loan.
    That deal can become permanent for £13m in the summer, a move Moyes surely will want to pursue.
    The Hammers boss added: “He’s young and going to improve. He’s a great boy to work with.
    “I can see where you would draw comparisons (to Fellaini) because of the stature.

    “He scored a really good goal against Watford from a cross.
    “It was an old-fashioned centre forward’s header.
    “He’s got three goals already — that’s a good return for someone who has only just come to the Premier League and only played ten games.”

    Man Utd outcasts Lingard and Phil Jones could be thrown Premier League lifelines by West Ham as Moyes eyes transfers More

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    Man City told Ferran Torres will cost £39m as they seek transfer replacement for Leroy Sane

    VALENCIA have put a £39million price tag on Manchester City wing target Ferran Torres.
    The Etihad giants identified the  Spaniard, 20, as a possible replacement for Leroy Sane, who left for Bayern Munich last month.

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    Ferran Torres has netted five times in 33 La Liga appearances for Valencia this termCredit: Getty
    The 24-year-old Germany international swapped the Etihad for a £55million move to the Bundesliga champions.
    Torres is down to the final year of his contract at the Mestalla  — but he has a buy-out clause set just below the £40m mark.
    The fact he can play on both flanks is something that appeals to City boss Pep Guardiola who has made a new winger a top priority this summer.
    Torres, who’s built a reputation for his creative play on the flanks, has netted four times, and provided five assists, in 33 La Liga appearances this season.

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    Prem champions Liverpool are also keen on signing Ferran Torres (left). However Man City appear to be favourites for his signatureCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Reports in Spain say City is his most likely destination with relations between the clubs generally good.
    But they are likely to face competition from other top teams who are monitoring the wide man — including Liverpool, Manchester United and Juventus.
    Bayer Leverkusen’s Leon Bailey is another who has been discussed and he is believed to be pals with City superstar Raheem Sterling.

    The Jamaica international, who’s netted seven times for his club this term, is also a Manchester United target.

    Bailey, 22, harbours dreams of one day playing in England.
    And Man United are looking to swoop with a £40million bid for the Bundesliga star, according to reports.

    Pep Guardiola says Manchester City won’t apologise for spending money to succeed after overturned ban More

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    Married Jose Mourinho celebrates Tottenham win by visiting close female pal

    FOOTBALL boss Jose Mourinho celebrated his Tottenham side’s win over rivals Arsenal by visiting his close female pal.
    The Special One went to the £1.5million home of blonde Prue Carter-Robinson.

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    Jose wore a mask, sunglasses and cap when visiting his good friend Prue Carter-Robinson
    Married Jose wore a mask, ­sunglasses and a cap — and was also spotted with an official Gunners shirt stuffed into a bag.
    An onlooker said: “He was still in the same clothes he had been wearing during the game.
    “He had a very expensive wristwatch on. Jose arrived in an Audi 4×4 and went straight inside.”
    Tottenham beat North London rivals Arsenal 2-1 at home in the Premier League last Sunday.

    In 2018, The Sun on Sunday revealed how Jose, 57, had struck up a close friendship with Prue, 43 — a single mum of one.
    The pair met around a decade ago and in March last year enjoyed a sunshine break in Qatar.
    Jose was in the middle eastern state for a £100,000 TV job.

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    The pair met around a decade ago and in March last year enjoyed a sunshine break in Qatar
    They were spotted sunbathing at the five-star Four Seasons hotel alongside his long-time assistant Ricardo Formosinho.

    Former IBM worker Prue drives a £60,000 Mercedes and boasts a Chanel handbag and Rolex watch.
    Mourinho — who received a reported £15million pay-off after his sacking from Manchester United in 2018 — has previously spoken about his marriage.
    He met Matilde, nicknamed Tami, when he was 17 and she 15, and often credits her for his achievements. They had their 30th wedding anniversary last year.
    In December 2016 he flew to Tami twice in 24 hours as she recovered from emergency surgery in Lisbon. Reports at the time said she had suffered complications from an earlier op.
    Jose has said that the “most important thing in my life is my family and being a good father”.

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    The football manager met wife Matilde, nicknamed Tami, when he was 17 and she 15Credit: Nikki Houghton/ Nick.tierney@me.com

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    An onlooker said Jose ‘was still in the same clothes he had been wearing during the game’ on SundayCredit: PA:Press Association

    The couple have two grown-up children and a £5million home in Belgravia, central London.
    In 2007, it was reported that Mourinho had an affair six years earlier with boutique owner Elsa Sousa, while manager of Portuguese side Uniao de Leiria.
    She told a newspaper: “He told me he was separated from his wife because he was not happy.”

    José Mourinho walks out of technical difficulty hit press conference after disappointing goalless draw vs Bournemouth
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    Man Utd close in on Jadon Sancho transfer agreement as Solskjaer eyes all-English attack with Rashford and Greenwood

    MANCHESTER UNITED are edging towards completing the signing of Jadon Sancho.
    United and Borussia Dortmund are close to an agreement for the £100million-rated winger who wants to move to the Premier League and Old Trafford.

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    Man Utd are close to agreeing a deal to sign Jadon SanchoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The goals have being flying in from Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial, with Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings behind them.
    But boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still wants to bolster his attacking options as he bids to build a squad to match that of his own glory filled playing days.
    Solskjaer was one of the attacking riches Sir Alex Ferguson had to pick from — with Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham — during the 1998-99 Treble season.

    Ex-Manchester City youth player Sancho, 20, fits Solskjaer’s plans for a young vibrant team going into the future.
    Sancho hit 17 goals and provided 16 assists in the Bundesliga as Dortmund finished runners-up to Bayern Munich.

    While Sancho could be on his way to Old Trafford, Jesse Lingard looks to be on his way to Milan.
    Both AC Milan and Inter want the midfielder, 27, who has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford.

    Lingard has started only once since the season restarted — the FA Cup quarter-final win at Norwich.
    Inter are also urgently looking at ways to extend Alexis Sanchez’s stay beyond the summer.

    The Chilean, 31, scored and was man of the match in their 4-0 win at SPAL on Thursday night.
    However he is due to return to parent club United once the Italian season ends early next month.
    Inter need to find at least £20m to make the move permanent but they may ask to extend his loan by a further 12 months with a firm commitment to buy.

    Dortmund ‘expecting £109m Jadon Sancho bid from Man Utd’ as Solskjaer plots record summer transfer More

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    Chelsea whizkid Conor Gallagher reveals toughest part of Swansea loan is learning to clean dishes

    CHELSEA kid Conor Gallagher revealed the hardest part of moving to Swansea was ‘learning how to wash up’.
    The highly-rated midfielder spent the first half of this season on loan at Charlton, then was sent to South Wales in January by Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard.

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    Gallagher has spent the second half of the season on loan at SwanseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
     But Gallagher, 20, was horrified to discover his new home did NOT have a dishwasher.

    He told SunSport: “It’s the first time I’ve moved away from home.
    “My parents used to do a lot of stuff for me but now I’m learning how to fend for myself.
    “I don’t have a dishwasher in my apartment, so it’s been a nightmare learning how to do the washing up. It’s the worst thing to do and I’m letting the dishes pile up all the time.

    “When I get home from training, I think ‘Oh no, I have to do those bloody dishes.’”
    And Gallagher admits he has also struggled with his culinary skills.
    He said: “I’m not much of a cook but I did salmon and noodles. I’ll eat anything really. I am not too fussed.”
    Gallagher has had a fine debut season playing first-team football and been one of the Championship’s rising young stars.

    Charlton fans were gutted when Chelsea recalled him in January to send him to Swansea.
    He explained: “It happened very quickly. Chelsea thought sending me to Swansea was better for my development and it’s turned out well.
    “I had a great time at Charlton. It was a homely club and I made a lot of great friends there. Hopefully they can stay up, they had a lot of injuries and problems with the ownership, so had a lot to contend with.
    “But things have been good at Swansea — and all the focus is now on winning the remaining games to hopefully push this club back into the Premier League.”

    When I get home from training, I think ‘Oh no, I have to do those bloody dishes.’
    Conor Gallagher

    The Swans must beat Bristol City today at The Liberty Stadium and Reading on Wednesday and hope Cardiff and Millwall do not take maximum points from their last two matches to make the play-offs.
    Gallagher said: “The manager Steve Cooper keeps drumming into us how important it is now. All that matters are the three points. If we win the last two games we can do it.
    “People say there isn’t much experience in this Swansea team and they’re right, we’re a young side, but there’s a hunger to do well.
    “If we get into the play-offs, we have a great chance because we’ve got the quality and togetherness to beat anyone.”
    Gallagher revealed how Chelsea legend Claude Makelele is helping him in his dream to become a Stamford Bridge regular.
    The former France midfielder keeps tabs on all the West London club’s loan players.

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    Gallagher has ambitions to break into the Chelsea set-upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    And Gallagher said: “Because I’m only 20, I was too young to remember watching Claude — but he is such a legend and it’s great to have someone like him, who played in my position, helping me.
    “He watches my games and gives lots of great advice. He has given tips on when I’m receiving the ball in midfield to always be scanning and look forward.
    “And then there will be stuff when they have the ball and we’re pressing them — he’ll explain and show me the right way to press.
    “I’ve gained a lot of experience, I’ve started 42 Championship games this season. It’s been a learning curve and as the season has gone on, I’ve grown in confidence.”

    Daily struggles

    Andros Townsend making tea
    SunSport reporter Justin Allen was forced to give then-Tottenham man Andros Townsend a lesson on how to make a good cuppa.
    Justin boiled his kettle for him, placed the tea bag in the mug, poured in boiling water and added milk. Tea-riffic.
    Kevin Davies making toast
    The former Bolton striker once joked that scoring penalties was easier than working out a toaster.
    Davies was forced to take to social media for advice on how to brown his bread when he struggled to work out how his new toaster worked. Raise a toast.
    Phil Neville making a drink
    The former Man United defender has more Premier League winners medals than he has made his wife a drink.
    That is because he has NEVER made Julie Neville a cup of tea in a shocking revelation.
    She said earlier this year: “He’s not capable. He’s just never learned. He just doesn’t know how.”

    Gallagher is attracting a lot of interest. Crystal Palace are said to be keen on taking him on loan this summer — and there are others.
    But the boyhood Chelsea fan is on a mission to become a Blues regular.
    He said: “A season in the Championship served the likes of Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori well — and I’ve always dreamed of playing for Chelsea.
    “If they don’t want me next season,   hopefully I get another good loan move, keep playing,    continue developing and prove to Chelsea I’m good enough to play there.”

    Frank Lampard warns Chelsea must stop best front three in country to beat in-form Man Utd and reach FA Cup final More

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    Jose Mourinho in cheeky Man Utd jibe as he claims former club are ‘lucky’ to be in top-four race

    JOSE MOURINHO claims his old club Manchester United are “lucky” to be in Champions League contention.
    Tottenham’s chief could give United a big helping hand by beating fourth-placed Leicester tomorrow.

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    Jose Mourinho aimed a jibe at his former clubCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The Red Devils, who face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on the same day, are below the Foxes on goal difference.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team have benefitted from several crucial VAR calls this season, most recently in Thursday’s 2-0 win at Crystal Palace.
    Mourinho said: “If United do it, they’ll have done it by playing very well in the second part of the season.
    “And on top of that everybody knows they were a bit lucky more than once. Luck that others didn’t have. Like us.”

    Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Frank Lampard warned his players NOT to become the latest victims of United’s penalty-winning kings.
    United have been given 13 Premier League spot-kicks this season — including a dubious one won and converted by Bruno Fernandes against Aston Villa this month.
    And Lampard says his stars must make sure they do not cough up another at Wembley tomorrow.

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    Manchester United escaped with three points against PalaceCredit: AP:Associated Press

    Boss Lamps said: “They have to be careful because when players of quality and speed, like United’s forwards, travel quickly you must move your feet and not dive in on them.

    “And Bruno Fernandes because he’s very clever in his movement.
    “We saw that at Aston Villa, making something feel like a penalty where maybe it isn’t.”

    Watch Tottenham stars stunned reaction to Jose Mourinho’s shock appointment in first incredible look at new Amazon doc More

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    Chelsea transfer boost as Brendan Rodgers refuses to accept Ben Chilwell will be at Leicester next season

    BRENDAN RODGERS has warned there are no guarantees Ben Chilwell will still be at Leicester City next season – despite the Foxes qualifying for Europe.
    That shock admission is likely to spark a summer stampede for the England left-back, who is a priority signing target for money-bags rivals Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

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    Brendan Rodgers doesn’t know whether Chilwell has played his last Leicester gameCredit: AFP or licensors
     Chilwell has been ruled out of Leicester’s two remaining games against Spurs and Manchester United with a thigh injury and could even miss the start of next season.

    When asked if that could mean the 23-year-old may have played his last game for the club, Rodgers replied: “I’m not sure.”
    That unexpected response will have alerted the chasing pack of wealthy clubs, led by United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is desperate to lure Chilwell away from the club currently blocking United’s route to the Champions’ League.
    But with almost four years left to run on Chilwell’s contract the Foxes will drive a hard bargain for the £60million-rated full-back, who has been with Leicester since he was 12 and is now an established England international with 11 caps.

    Rodgers said: “He’s not a player we want to lose. I’m quite relaxed on it. I’m not worried at all.
    “We’ve got a fantastic squad that we want to keep together so I don’t worry.
    “You can spin it whichever way you want. There is no intention to sell Ben Chilwell and there is absolutely no need for us to sell Ben Chilwell.
    “If you want a message, the message is he’s not for sale.”

    However, the Leicester boss said much the same thing about Harry Maguire last summer before Manchester United eventually met the Foxes whopping £80m asking price – a world record for a defender.
    A similar tale unfolded with Riyad Mahrez, who Manchester City pursued relentlessly for two seasons, until finally coughing up a then club-record £60m to land their man, with Leicester again holding all the cards as they had Mahrez tied up on a long-term deal.
    There is a real possibility Chilwell could be the next high-profile departure from the King Power and that the Foxes 3-0 win over Crystal Palace could be his last for the club – especially as he could miss the start of next season through injury.

    If you want a message, the message is he’s not for sale
    Rodgers on Chilwell

    Asked about Chilwell’s chances of recovering from his thigh injury in time for next season, Rodgers said: “We just need to wait and see on that.
    “It’s an injury that will last over the course of a number of weeks. I can’t confirm either way on it.
    “James Maddison will just miss out this season and in the off-season he will do his work, by the time we get back training in August then he should be back.
    “Ben might be a little bit longer, as will Christian Fuchs.
    “It’s something for us to look at over the course of the next few months but we’ll have to see how they go over the next five weeks or so.”
    Leicester have the luxury of a couple of ready-made replacements for Chilwell, should the right offer come in and tempt them to sell.
    James Justin, currently impressing at right-back in the absence of injured Player of the Year Ricardo Pereira, regularly played on the left for his previous club Luton Town.
    Meanwhile, Leicester appear to have unearthed another left-sided gem in Luke Thomas, who was outstanding on his senior debut against Sheffield United, just weeks after turning 19, and looks certain to retain his place against Spurs tomorrow.

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    Luke Thomas is a rising star coming through LeicesterCredit: AP:Associated Press
    Rodgers couldn’t hide his delight at his youngster’s mature performance on his debut against Sheffield United and said: “Luke has real quality and we’ll nurture him.
    “There’s going to be many more opportunities for him. He’s a fantastic talent.
    “I’d heard about him when I came in and had seen him play some reserve games.
    “He was clearly a talent but then when he came in to train with us, you really get to see his qualities and his temperament close at hand.
    “From the first day he’s been the outstanding young player that’s come and worked with us.
    “I thought he could play in the first team, then it was about how do we manage this.

    “With kids you have to decide if they need a loan or do we need to keep him for six months and nurture him here?
    “But he’s been with us since lockdown, in particular, and when you see that quality and temperament consistently, then we had absolutely no qualms about playing him.
    “I was thinking about playing him against Bournemouth. Maybe I should have done.
    It’s been a great start to his career against a team with Sheffield United’s fantastic quality and physicality – to cope with that was a great start.”

    Frank Lampard warns Chelsea must stop best front three in country to beat in-form Man Utd and reach FA Cup final More

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    Man Utd step up Jadon Sancho transfer pursuit as Solskjaer eyes all-England attack with Rashford and Greenwood

    MANCHESTER UNITED are pushing ahead with the signing of Jadon Sancho.
    United and Borussia Dortmund are close to an agreement for the £100million-rated winger who wants to move to the Premier League and Old Trafford.

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    Man Utd are close to agreeing a deal to sign Jadon SanchoCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The goals have being flying in from Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Anthony Martial, with Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings behind them.
    But boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still wants to bolster his attacking options as he bids to build a squad to match that of his own glory filled playing days.
    Solskjaer was one of the attacking riches Sir Alex Ferguson had to pick from — with Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham — during the 1998-99 Treble season.

    Ex-Manchester City youth player Sancho, 20, fits Solskjaer’s plans for a young vibrant team going into the future.
    Sancho hit 17 goals and provided 16 assists in the Bundesliga as Dortmund finished runners-up to Bayern Munich.

    While Sancho could be on his way to Old Trafford, Jesse Lingard looks to be on his way to Milan.
    Both AC Milan and Inter want the midfielder, 27, who has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford.

    Lingard has started only once since the season restarted — the FA Cup quarter-final win at Norwich.
    Inter are also urgently looking at ways to extend Alexis Sanchez’s stay beyond the summer.

    The Chilean, 31, scored and was man of the match in their 4-0 win at SPAL on Thursday night.
    However he is due to return to parent club United once the Italian season ends early next month.
    Inter need to find at least £20m to make the move permanent but they may ask to extend his loan by a further 12 months with a firm commitment to buy.

    Dortmund ‘expecting £109m Jadon Sancho bid from Man Utd’ as Solskjaer plots record summer transfer More