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    Man Utd fans fume ‘we are a joke’ after club activate contract extension of star who looked destined to leave

    MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly activated the option to extend Victor Lindelof’s contract.The defender’s current deal was due to expire at the end of the season.
    Man Utd have decided to extend Victor Lindelof’s contractCredit: Alamy
    But according to The Athletic, he is now set to stay at Old Trafford until June 2025.
    Man Utd have triggered the option to extend his contract by another 12 months amid growing uncertainty surrounding his future.
    Lindelof had been expected to leave the club either in January or on a free transfer in the summer.
    He allegedly turned down interest from Inter Milan and Ligue 1 side Rennes in August, instead deciding to stay and fight for his place in Erik ten Hag’s squad.
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    But some fans are now frustrated at United’s decision to keep him beyond this season.
    One person tweeted: “We are a joke! He’s not good enough we need better quality players!”
    Another agreed, adding: “This is why we will remain in mediocrity, keep extending contracts of players that aren’t anywhere near good enough.”
    A third commented: “Would have liked to see him go tbh he’s not United standard.”
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    While a fourth wrote: “If this is a decision by INEOS then it looks like business as usual. We need to be more ruthless with unwanted players. Lindelof is not the future and his wages can easily be freed up for other players. I doubt we find a buyer that makes sense in the summer.”
    Lindelof joined Man Utd in a £31million transfer from Benfica in 2017 and has since made 249 appearances.
    The Red Devils currently sit seventh in the Premier League table with 31 points from 19 games. More

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    Arsenal ‘open to letting Tomiyasu leave in January loan transfer’ as Napoli plot double raid on club

    ARSENAL are reportedly open to letting Takehiro Tomiyasu leave on loan next month.The Gunners are expected to be active in the January transfer market as they target their first Premier League title in 20 years.
    Napoli are reportedly interested in signing Takehiro Tomiyasu on loanCredit: Alamy
    The Serie A champions are also interested in Jakub KiwiorCredit: AFP
    Mikel Arteta is eager to sign a defender, a midfielder and a striker when the window opens.
    However, some current players will have to be offloaded to make way for new additions.
    And according to Italian outlet Il Mattino, Tomiyasu could be allowed to leave.
    Napoli are understood to be interested in signing the full-back on loan in January.
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    The Serie A champions are also considering a swoop for Jakub Kiwior, but Arsenal are less likely to sanction a loan for him.
    Arteta is allegedly willing to let Kiwior leave in a permanent transfer next month.
    The 23-year-old has been limited to 21 appearances since joining Arsenal in January 2022.
    Meanwhile, Tomiyasu has established himself as an important member of Arteta’s squad.
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    The full-back has made 19 appearances so far this season, but recently suffered a calf injury which has left him sidelined.
    Arsenal currently sit second in the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Liverpool.
    The Gunners have been linked with several players ahead of the January transfer window, including Ivan Toney, Dominic Solanke and Matthijs de Ligt. More

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    Carragher says ‘this shows what a mess the new ownership have made at Chelsea’ as they close in on selling £40m star

    JAMIE CARRAGHER has slammed Chelsea amid rumours they are looking to sell Conor Gallagher.Tottenham are reportedly in talks with the Blues over a £40millon January deal for the midfielder.
    Jamie Carragher has slammed Chelsea’s decision to potentially sell Conor Gallagher to SpursCredit: Getty
    Todd Boehly wants to cash in on academy graduates next monthCredit: Reuters
    Conor Gallagher has captained Chelsea regularly this seasonCredit: Getty
    Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has put plenty of trust in Gallagher and he has started all but one Premier League game this season.
    The 23-year-old has also captained his boyhood club 13 times in all competitions under Poch.
    And following the news that he could potentially be leaving Stamford Bridge, Carragher launched an attack on the Blues’ transfer strategy.
    The Sky Sports pundit tweeted: “Gallagher has been Chelsea’s best player this season along with Cole Palmer.
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    “This just shows what a mess the new ownership have made at the club.
    “Selling an academy player because it helps with FFP.”
    The stats back up Carragher’s point, with Gallagher the only player in Europe’s top five leagues to have over 20 shots, chances created, dribbles completed, touches in the opposition box, duels won, tackles and interceptions.
    Chelsea reportedly want to sell academy graduates this summer to help balance the books after splashing over £1billion on players since Todd Boehly bought the club in May 2022.
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    Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja and Ian Maatsen may also all depart in January.
    Meanwhile, Spurs are in the market for a centre-back with Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Genoa’s Radu Dragusin on their radar. More

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    Mason Greenwood wanted in shock £40m Barcelona transfer as Man Utd striker is offered Lionel Messi’s iconic No10 shirt

    BARCELONA are ready to offer Mason Greenwood Lionel Messi’s iconic No 10 shirt as part of a £40million summer transfer swoop.Manchester United forward Greenwood is catching the eye in Spanish football following his loan move to LaLiga club Getafe.
    Mason Greenwood is wanted by Barcelona in a £40million dealCredit: Rex
    The Spanish giants are prepared to offer him Lionel Messi’s iconic No10 shirtCredit: Reuters
    Greenwood is impressing in LaLiga with Getafe
    And Greenwood, 22, has helped them climb to eighth in the table with five goals and four assists.
    Getafe want to sign him permanently but Barca are planning a £40m bid of their own — which includes that legendary No 10 jersey.
    Argentine World Cup hero and eight-time Ballon D’or winner Messi, 36, left Barca in August 2021 and his number was handed to Ansu Fati.
    But it has not had an owner since Fati moved to Brighton on loan in September this year.
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    Now Barcelona want to use it to help lure Bradford-born Greenwood to the Nou Camp – and form a stunning new-look XI.
    Greenwood is reviving his career after agreeing it was best to move away from United.
    In February, the Crown Prosecution Service dropped charges against the striker of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
    United conducted their own investigation into the matter and were ready to welcome him back into the squad.
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    But a backlash against that plan forced a U-turn in August and he left for Getafe having not played for 18 months.
    Greenwood still holds out hope he might return to United one day, but that is unlikely. More

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    Hugo Lloris on brink of permanent Tottenham transfer exit after ‘agreeing to MLS contract and Spurs sign off on move’

    HUGO LLORIS is on the brink of completing a permanent move to MLS side Los Angeles FC.The Frenchman is set to end his 11-year stay with Tottenham after the club signed off on the transfer.
    Hugo Lloris is on the brink of leaving Tottenham to join MLS side Los Angeles FCCredit: Getty
    Lloris has not played for the club since April after being exiled by new manager Ange Postecoglou.
    However, after failing to secure a summer transfer, he has remained with Spurs and is part of their Premier League squad.
    The 37-year-old is now finally on the verge of sealing a move away from North London, though.
    Fabrizio Romano reports that a verbal agreement is now in place between all parties for Lloris to join LAFC.
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    He will sign a one-year deal with an option to extend, the report adds, with the transfer set to be finalised soon.
    LAFC reached the final of the MLS Cup play-offs last season before losing to Columbus Crew.
    They were also Supporters’ Shield winners in 2022 as well as lifting their maiden MLS Cup.
    Lloris would be an experienced addition to their squad following more than a decade in the Premier League.
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    The World Cup winner has made 444 appearances for Spurs since signing from Lyon in 2012.
    He was also club captain prior to relinquishing the armband to Son Heung-min in the summer. More

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    Thomas Frank warns Arsenal off Ivan Toney transfer as Brentford boss claims striker looks even BETTER after ban

    THOMAS FRANK has told Arsenal to back off in their hunt for Ivan Toney. The Brentford striker, 27, will be available to play after the club’s Premier League trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
    Ivan Toney is set to return to play after serving an eight-month ban for breaching betting rulesCredit: Getty
    Brentford boss Thomas Frank has told Arsenal to back off from making a deal with the strikerCredit: Getty
    Toney could feature in the FA Cup meeting with Wolves next Friday, having not played since a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on May 6 after being handed an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.
    The Bees need him more than ever amid their miserable run of just one win in their last seven league matches. 
    Chelsea and Tottenham are also keeping tabs on Toney but a source recently told SunSport that Frank is desperate for Toney to stay to turn Brentford’s season around. 
    Frank said: “As far as I know Ivan is a Brentford player. I want to keep him and I’m looking forward to him playing with us.”
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    When asked if he was desperate to keep hold of Toney in the transfer window, Frank replied: “I really would like to. I’m a head coach. 
    “Desperate is a big word. I want to have my best players with me at all times. From my perspective, I don’t want to sell him. 
    “That’s because I think he’s fantastic. I’m enjoying him every day. 
    “Having him back will be like signing an unbelievably good Premier League striker. He’s looking forward to finally contributing to the team.
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    “I see the same determination and willpower from him to want to train well and be ready to play.
    “Maybe a tiny bit more in terms of a comeback and wanting to be at his best.”
    Toney joined the Bees back in 2020 from League One side Peterborough for a club-record transfer fee of £15million.
    He scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances last term season, helping Brentford into ninth place in the table.
    His contract runs out at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. More

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    Title winner Kasper Schmeichel ‘open to Premier League transfer return and could join Liverpool legend’

    KASPER SCHMEICHEL is reportedly open to making a Premier League return in January.The 37-year-old won the title with Leicester in 2016 and made 276 top-flight appearances for the club during his 11-year stay.
    Kasper Schmeichel is open to a Premier League return in JanuaryCredit: AFP
    However, Schmeichel left the Foxes for Nice last summer before moving to Belgian side Anderlecht in September.
    He has gone on to become the club’s starting goalkeeper but could now be on the move once again.
    According to talkSPORT, Schmeichel is open to a Premier League return when the transfer window re-opens.
    Bottom side Sheffield United are one of a number of clubs in the market for a new keeper, the report adds.
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    Chelsea and Newcastle could also be potential destinations after injuries to Robert Sanchez and Nick Pope, respectively.
    The Blades are currently seven points from safety after their Boxing Day defeat to Luton,
    Chris Wilder’s side have won just one of their last eight and just twice in the league all season.
    A move to Bramall Lane could also see Schmeichel join ex-Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino.
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    The Brazilian has grown frustrated in Saudi Arabia just six months after leaving Anfield.
    Sheffield United are understood to be interested in Firmino, who has not started a league match since the end of October.
    Al-Ahli would reportedly be willing to sanction a loan move next month, although the Blades face competition from clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
    Firmino scored 111 goals in 362 appearances for the Reds across an eight-year stay in England.
    He also won seven major trophies including the Champions League, Club World Cup and Premier League.
    Sheffield United are also interested in ex-Liverpool forward Roberto FirminoCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea ‘set to INCREASE ticket prices to fund Todd Boehly’s £1bn-plus transfer spree’ – despite lying tenth in table

    CHELSEA are set to increase their ticket prices next season following Todd Boehly’s £1BILLION spending spree, according to reports.The Blues have splashed a remarkable amount of cash since the American, 50, took over from Roman Abramovich last year.
    Todd Boehly has spent more than £1billion on transfers since taking over last yearCredit: Rex
    But it has failed to amount to much on the pitch as they finished 12th in the Premier League last season, just 10 points above the relegation zone.
    And new manager Mauricio Pochettino has struggled since arriving in the summer, with Chelsea sitting 10th after just seven wins from 19 matches.
    Yet the on-field difficulties are not the only aspects of the club that will anger Blues fans.
    That is because The Standard are reporting the club are preparing to increase ticket prices ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
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    No “firm decisions” have been made, but talks in recent meetings with elected fans and club officials have left supporters expecting a price rise.
    It comes after Boehly and Clearlake froze ticket prices last season.
    Revenue streams such as matchday income need to be increased to ensure a sustainable business model following their seismic spending across the last three transfer windows.
    Inflation is another major reason why Chelsea need to raise ticket prices as the cost of maintaining and operating Stamford Bridge has increased by 31 per cent over the past five years.
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    The Blues have the lowest operating margin out of the tradition top six clubs in the Premier League.
    The club’s general admission tickets have not risen since the 2011/12 season.
    This means they have effectively reduced by 32 per cent over the past 11 years.
    Chelsea have the second-lowest ticket prices out of the top six after Manchester City.
    Just three of the 20 Premier League clubs did not choose to increase their ticket prices ahead of the new season.
    Earlier this month, a survey conducted by the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust revealed most supporters would accept a four per cent increase in ticket prices.
    However, most also believe the existing prices to be fair, while the club has also been criticised by the CST after they opted to remove coach subsidies for away travel.
    And the Chelsea Women Supporters Group slammed the decision to raise ticket prices to watch the league champions. More