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      Luis Suarez reveals Arsenal ‘had Karim Benzema transfer all done’, before his bite on Chiellini changed everything

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      LUIS SUAREZ has claimed his infamous bite on Giorgio Chiellini caused Arsenal to lose out on signing Karim Benzema. The year was 2014 and Suarez was looking to leave Liverpool with both Real Madrid and Barcelona interested.
      Luis Suarez infamously bit Giorgio Chiellini in the 2014 World CupCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Karim Benzema was close to joining ArsenalCredit: Rex
      And Madrid already had Benzema on the way out and Suarez lined up for a replacement during the World Cup.
      But after the Uruguayan was caught biting Chiellini, he claimed Madrid lost interest.
      He instead decided to join Barca, meaning Madrid kept Benzema and Arsenal were left empty handed.
      He told La Mesa: “Before the 2014 World Cup, Real Madrid wanted to sign me and everything was on track.
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      “They were planning to sell Benzema to Arsenal, it was all done. “When the World Cup started, Barca joined the race, and obviously I preferred Barca.
      “With the bite situation, Madrid lowered their interest, and Barca became more interested.
      “In the end I had both options and I chose Barcelona because it was my dream.”
      Suarez was caught on camera biting into Chiellini’s arm during a group stage match between Uruguay and Italy.
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      It came just a year after he did the same to Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.
      Suarez was banned for nine international games by Fifa but his move to Barca still went through.
      Watch moment star gets booked for throwing Luis Suarez’s boot off the pitch as former Liverpool star rolls around
      He would go onto win four league titles and lift the Champions League during his time at the Nou Camp.
      And now Suarez is back with team-mates Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami.
      But Suarez did reveal plans to retire, saying: “Yes, I cannot be more sincere and the family already knows. The date is not yet set, but this is the last step.
      “I am prepared for this last challenge but it is also exhausting and I have to think about having a quality of life afterwards.
      Suarez opened up on retirement after signing for Inter MiamiCredit: Reuters More

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      Sweden star keen on transfer to England after starring in shock win over Liverpool

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      SWEDE Gustaf Nilsson fancies a move to England after starring at Union Saint-Gilloise.Striker Nilsson, 26, who scored for the Belgians in the Europa Conference League last week, is on a handful of Championship sides’ radar and would pick them over interested clubs in Europe.
      Gustaf Nilsson is attracting interest from several Championship clubsCredit: Rex
      He has been in terrific goalscoring form this season with ten goals in 21 league games.
      The 6ft4 striker would offer teams an aerial threat and his physical prowess would likely prove to be a handful in the EFL.
      Nilsson spent much of his career in the Swedish lower leagues after initially coming through at Falkenbergs.
      A transfer to top-flight Bronby followed but the move did not work out as Nilsson found game time difficult to come by.
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      He joined Danish side Silkeborg on loan and his form saw him win two caps for Sweden in 2018 – a tally he has not been able to add to since.
      Just two years ago Nilsson was playing in Germany’s third tier for Wehen Wiesbaden.
      But a return of 14 goals in 30 games led to attention from Union Saint-Gilloise, who were quick to snap him up.
      His form has sparked interest once again with fellow Belgian Pro League club Gent reported to have been monitoring the forward last month.
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      That came after he starred in Union Saint-Gilloise’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Europa League.
      Nilsson is understood to have just one year remaining on his contract, although his club could trigger a one-year extension clause.
      Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers More

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      Chelsea ‘ready to trigger Victor Osimhen’s astonishing £111m transfer clause as Todd Boehly steps up striker search’

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      CHELSEA are set to trigger Napoli star Victor Osimhen’s staggering release clause ahead of the summer transfer window.Osimhen, 25, has been the Blues’ top target to boost manager Mauricio Pochettino’s frontline next season for quite some time.
      Chelsea are willing to meet Napoli star Victor Osimhen’s release clauseCredit: Rex
      According to transfer insider Rudy Galetti, the West Londoners are willing to meet the striker’s whopping €130million (£111m) asking price.
      In fact, Chelsea wish to “speed things up” in order to beat off interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
      PSG are rigorously looking for someone to replace Kylian Mbappe up front ahead of the France international’s imminent departure in June.
      The Premier League giants will soon meet up with Napoli officials to discuss a payment structure.
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      Pochettino’s side remain “relaxed” even after Osimhen signed a new lucrative contract with the Partenopei.
      The Nigeria international put pen to paper on a new deal tying him up to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium until 2026.
      Despite a rocky start this season due to a hamstring injury, the centre-forward is still shining bright in Naples.
      Osimhen has registered a total of eight goals and three assists in 18 appearances throughout this campaign.
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      Osimhen will cost Chelsea a staggering £111million to sign from Napoli
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      The ex-Lille star led Napoli to their first Serie A title after 33 years last term.
      The Nigerian star has amassed a total of 67 goals and 17 assists in 119 appearances since joining Napoli in 2020.
      Sun Expert Martin Lipton comments on the ongoing feud between Victor Osimhen and Napoli after club delete videos mocking striker from social media channels and discusses where he could end up
      Pochettino is desperate to add firing power to his frontline in the summer.
      Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has already splashed over £1billion in transfers alone since taking over in the summer of 2022 but is set to push for a striker at the end of the season. More

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      Kylian Mbappe set to take legend’s shirt at Real Madrid and be forced to give up No7 jersey because of Vinicius Jr

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      KYLIAN MBAPPE will be handed Real Madrid’s legendary No10 jersey if he completes a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.Mbappe, 25, has informed Paris Saint-Germain he won’t trigger an option to extend his contract by another year and will thus leave in June as a free agent.
      Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe will get Real Madrid’s No10 shirtCredit: Rex
      Vinicius Jr currently occupies Mbappe’s signature No7 shirt at Real MadridCredit: Rex
      Mbappe will take Luka Modric’s shirt number at Real MadridCredit: Rex
      Europe’s elite has taken notice with Premier League giants, such as Arsenal and Liverpool, monitoring the situation but the star striker is reportedly “leaning towards” Real.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, Los Blancos are trying to sweeten the deal by offering him the same shirt number wore by past legends, such as Ferenc Puskas, Luis Figo and Clarence Seedorf.
      That means the France international will have to give up his signature No7 shirt, which he currently wears at PSG.
      That is because Vinicius Jr has proven he can wear it with the same class as legendary predecessors, like Raul, Emilio Butragueno and of course Cristiano Ronaldo.
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      Luka Modric currently occupies the No10 shirt but is expected to put an end to his glittering 12-year career in Madrid once his contract expires in the summer.
      The same report claims Real are planning to officially announce Mbappe’s arrival before he links up with France for Euro 2024.
      However, there are still several formalities that need to be ironed out before the ex-Monaco star puts pen to paper.
      One major issue that stands in the way is the Frenchman’s staggering wages.
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      However, reports suggest Mbappe is willing to accept a huge pay cut to finally move to Real.
      The La Liga giants are hoping to pay the forward less than his £42.8million – around £827,000 a week – starting point.
      ‘We have to be in the conversation’, says Mikel Arteta as Arsenal boss has his say on Kylian Mbappe transfer saga
      However, he is still expected to become the club’s highest-paid player, surpassing England star Jude Bellingham by a significant margin. More

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      Barcelona make Premier League manager top choice to replace Xavi but cash-strapped side may be put off by release clause

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      BRIGHTON boss Roberto De Zerbi is Barcelona’s top choice to be their new manager.But De Zerbi’s Seagulls release clause – said to be worth up to £10m – could prove a sticking point for the cash-strapped Catalan club.
      Xavi has already announced he will quit Barcelona at the end of the seasonCredit: EPA
      Roberto De Zerbi is wanted by BarcelonaCredit: Rex
      Reports in Spain claim De Zerbi has the support of key Barca figures to replace Xavi when the playing legend leaves the dugout at the end of this season.
      President Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco, the former Chelsea and Barcelona star, both want the fiery Italian.
      They love the Seagulls’ style of football under De Zerbi, his commitment to youth, and his personality.
      De Zerbi’s agents, Edmundo Kabchi and Edoardo Cnajr, met Deco in Barcelona last Wednesday.
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      Although the talks were originally scheduled in order to discuss a contract renewal for another of their clients, defender Ronald Araujo, it is believed there were discussions about De Zerbi’s availability.
      When he replaced Graham Potter at the Amex in October 2022, he signed a four-year deal.
      Brighton and their head coach have been in talks for a couple of months about an extension which might well include a larger release clause.
      But even the current amount would be a problem for Barca as the club continues to juggle its fragile finances.
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      Xavi himself spent millions buying himself out of his contract at Qatari club Al Sadd in order to take over at the Camp Nou.
      De Zerbi could attempt something similar if he were desperate to force a move to Barcelona.
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      But if the issue cannot be resolved, former Bayern Munich and Germany boss Hansi Flick is the Italian’s biggest rival for the job.
      Flick is now represented by super-agent Pini Zahavi, who has good connections with Barcelona and most recently managed to take Robert Lewandowski there from Bayern Munich. More

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      Cult hero signed by Premier League giants for £12m joins Doncaster City despite just one goal in six years

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      ROSS McCORMACK has joined his 13th club – despite scoring ONE goal in six years.The former Scottish international, 37, put pen to paper on a contract with Doncaster City, the non-league outfit confirmed on Friday night.
      Doncaster City announced the short-term arrival of Ross McCormackCredit: X @DoncasterCityFC
      The Central Midlands League North Division club posted a photoshopped image of McCormack wearing their sky-blue home shirt complete with Sondico branding and the Sports Direct sponsorship.
      It was part of a quadruple signing for Doncaster City – formed in 2022 by agent Willie McKay – who also landed Norwich hero Wes Hoolahan, former Celtic, Blackburn and Scotland defender Charlie Mulgrew and 40-year-old midfielder Scott McLaughlin.
      The club said three of the four veterans had joined for a “short period”.
      McCormack was without a club for two years between leaving Aldershot Town in 2021 and joining Liversedge in 2023.
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      However, it is understood the 13-cap Scotland international did not play a single match for Liversedge before having his contract ripped up last month.
      The striker broke through at Rangers before a loan spell at Doncaster Rovers in 2006.
      He then had spells with Motherwell and Cardiff before four successful years with Leeds where he scored 58 goals in 158 appearances.
      His goalscoring form continued at Fulham from 2014 to 2016 with 42 in 100 for the £11milllion man.
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      But he struggled at Aston Villa despite a big-money £12m transfer – not helped by a faulty electronic gate failing to open forcing him to miss training.
      The forward managed just three strikes in 24 games before loans to Nottingham Forest, Melbourne City, Central Coast Mariners and Motherwell.
      Jude Bellingham tips Phil Foden for stunning position change with England stars at centre of midfield selection dilemma
      McCormack managed an impressive 14 goals in 17 games for Melbourne City but his last goal came during the 2018-19 season Down Under with Central Coast Mariners.
      He found the net in a 1-1 draw against, ironically, Melbourne City, on October 27, 2018.
      But the striker – who has never played in the Premier League – will be desperate to rediscover his shooting boots at Doncaster City.
      Fans, though, are not holding out much hope for his stint in South Yorkshire.
      One said: “Signed for Liversedge in 2023, never put a kit on will more than likely do same for you guys, all the best.”
      Another wrote: “Guessing a very short period.”
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      A third added: “One goal in six years… at that level, good signing but it’s his level now.”
      And a final user commented: “What a flop.”
      McCormack enjoyed four years at Leeds where he scored 58 goalsCredit: Reuters
      He struggled form at Aston Villa and has one goal in six yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      I’m related to Brazil legend Zico… now I’m making my own way at top European club and Man Utd even came calling

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      TOP clubs from around Europe are in the battle to sign wonderkid Eduardo Quaresma.The centre-back is a distant relative of Brazil legend Zico.
      Eduardo Quaresma has been linked with several top clubsCredit: AFP
      He is a distant relative of Brazil great ZicoCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Zico, 70, is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in history.
      He earned 71 Brazil caps and was likened to Pele.
      And now Quaresma is trying to follow in his footsteps and already has several big clubs chasing his signature.
      Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus and Inter Milan have all previously been linked with the centre-back.
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      Quaresma, 21, came through the ranks at Sporting Lisbon.
      The club’s academy has a reputation for nurturing top talents after bringing through the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Figo.
      After making his debut at the age of 18, Quaresma was then loaned out to Portuguese side Tondela and then he had a spell with Bundesliga outfit Hoffenheim last season.
      He has now returned to Sporting and is a mainstay in the side, having played 25 times for the club.
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      However, unlike his famous relative Zico, the defender instead represents Portugal and not Brazil.
      He is still waiting for his first senior call-up, but he is a regular for their Under-21s.
      Zico has been asked about his connection to Quaresma, he said: “It is true that I have a Portuguese family, but I was not aware of this connection with the boy. 
      “I hope the boy is very successful, that he finds his place at the club, that he can make his dreams come true.
      “I sincerely hope that Eduardo brings much glory to Sporting and achieves success in his career. That’s what’s important.
      “It is also important that, regardless of your surnames, you continue to work.
      “The important thing is that he continues to dedicate himself and fight for his space, that he plays the football he knows.”
      Sporting Lisbon youngster’s debut goes ‘from heaven to hell in four minutes’ as team-mates rush to console him More

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      Chelsea make Ivan Toney No1 transfer target as Brentford hold out on club-record fee for striker

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      CHELSEA are planning a massive summer bid for Ivan Toney.SunSport understands the Brentford striker is seen as the “number one target” for their West London rivals.
      Chelsea are planning a summer move for Ivan ToneyCredit: Rex
      Mauricio Pochettino believes the Brentford forward can take his side ‘to the next level’Credit: Getty
      It is thought the Bees are holding out for a fee of over £80m for the striker, who has made a goalscoring return to the side following his gambling ban.
      To land Toney at such a price, Chelsea would need to offload a number of players in order to satisfy financial fair play requirements.
      But the side’s manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has told Blues owners Toney is a player who he thinks can take the side “to the next level”.
      Our source said: “Chelsea want Ivan Toney. Everyone knows Chelsea need a striker and, right now, he’s the best available striker in the Premier League.
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      “Pochettino has made it clear that if he is available, and that the club can make the deal happen, then they should move heaven and earth to get him. He believes Toney can transform his team, and can help deliver the goals to make them genuine title contenders again.”
      Arsenal have also been linked with a move for Toney as they look to bolster their attacking options.
      Details of the latest twist come just weeks after we exclusively revealed how Toney was “torn” over a January move.
      A source close to the player said Toney – previously banned for gambling offences – feels he has a “debt to repay” to Brentford and to the club’s manager Thomas Frank which means any move could be held off until the Summer.
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      The source said: “A lot of people assume Ivan will be on his way after Christmas, but no deal has been done – and nothing has been decided.
      “Ivan is torn over his future. Brentford have stood by him and the club have been brilliant. Part of him wants to help them by hitting the ground running straight away in January and scoring the goals which will ensure they stay in the Premier League.
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      “There are a lot of clubs interested in Ivan but his focus, for now, is getting back on the pitch at Brentford and doing the business for his manager Thomas Frank, to whom he feels he has a big debt to repay. The same goes for the fans.
      “He’s determined to get back in the England squad and Ivan fully believes in himself to make the first squad once he’s back playing football.”
      The source also said Brentford are under no pressure to sell their ace striker.
      “They don’t need the money,” the source said. “Toney is their player and they will only consider selling him if the offer is right for the club.” More