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      Former Chelsea striker nicknamed ‘Little Crespo’ set to be unemployed after ‘forgettable’ 12 months at club

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      A FORGOTTEN Chelsea striker is set to be made unemployed after a nightmare 12 months.The flop forward, dubbed ‘Little Crespo’ after Argentine compatriot Hernan, endured a miserable spell at Universidad Catolica in Chile.
      Franco Di Santo is set to be made unemployed from his 11th clubCredit: Instagram @disanto
      And now Franco Di Santo looks on course to mutually agree to terminate his two-year contract just halfway through.
      Di Santo, 34, made a bright start when he joined from Mexican outfit Tijuana at the beginning of 2023.
      He scored on his Chilean league debut in a 3-0 win over Everton then found the net again in his third appearance.
      However, he failed to add to that tally and finished the 2023 season with two goals and two assists in 24 appearances.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Di Santo is no longer part of the manager’s plans – he was left out of the club’s pre-season trip to Peru and trained alone in his final weeks at Universidad Catolica.
      With no suitors wanting to take him on loan, En Cancha reports the three-cap Argentina international agreed to rip up his contract.
      That allows him to join his next club – which will be the 12th of his career – on a free transfer while Universidad Catolica free up his big wages and a spot in their squad for another foreign player to comply with the Chilean league quota.
      Di Santo burst on to the scene in Chile with Audux Italiano before Chelsea snapped up the teenager for £3.4million in January 2008 – plus two goal nets and 40 litres of paint.
      Most read in FootballFranco Di Santo’s Career

      CLUB CAREER
      2006–2008 – Audax Italiano, 61 league apps (14 goals)2008–2010 – Chelsea, 8 (0)2009–2010 – Blackburn Rovers, (loan) 22 (3)2010–2013 – Wigan Athletic, 92 (13)2013–2015 – Werder Bremen, 49 (18)2015–2019 – Schalke 04, 71 (5)2019 – Rayo Vallecano, 6 (0)2019–2020 – Atletico Mineiro, 21 (3)2020–2022 – San Lorenzo, 33 (10)2022 – Goztepe 15, (3)2022 – Tijuana 15, (2)2023–2024 – Universidad Catolica, 20 (2)
      INTERNATIONAL CAREER2006–2009 Argentina U20 25 (5)2012–2013 Argentina 3 (0)
      HONOURS

      Chelsea – FA Cup 2009
      Wigan – FA Cup 2013

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      However, it did not work out as planned for the prodigy at Stamford Bridge in the famous No9 shirt as he failed to score a single goal in his 16 first-team appearances.
      Di Santo went on loan to Blackburn in 2009-10 and then joined Wigan for three years in 2010.
      He managed 15 goals in 137 games during his time in England before a journeyman career with Werder Bremen, Schalke, Rayo Vallecano, Atletico Mineiro, San Lorenzo, Goztepe and Tijuana before his stint with Universidad Catolica.
      Di Santo struggled to live up to the hype at ChelseaCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

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      Facundo Pellistri’s agent blasts Erik ten Hag and claims Man Utd manager has ‘not treated player like a professional’

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      ERIK TEN HAG has been blasted by Facundo Pellistri’s agent.Pellistri joined United in 2020 for £9million from Penarol and spent two seasons away from the club on loan.
      Erik ten Hag has been blasted by Facundo Pellistri’s agentCredit: PA
      He returned last season under manager Ten Hag but made only 11 appearances, staring just ONCE and failing to score.
      And this term has not been much better having gone goalless in his 14 games in all competitions.
      The winger now looks set join Granada until the end of the season but not before his agent Edgardo Lasalvia took a swipe at Ten Hag.
      In a Spanish-speaking interview with Sport 890, stressing that he was expressing a personal opinion, Lasalvia said: “Whether he returns to Manchester in the middle of the year will depend on the performance he shows.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      “If Ten Hag continues, it’s going to be difficult. Ten Hag hasn’t used him, valued him, or treated him like a professional.”
      Just two months ago, Ten Hag said: “For Pelli he has to make a step from a bench player, often having a very good impact, to a starting XI player.
      “We will see how quick that process will go.”
      Pellistri has made nine appearances for United in the Premier League this season, with just one of these being a start.
      Most read in Football
      Credit: The Sun
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      The Uruguayan has appeared a total of 24 times for United, but is yet to score for the club.
      He has been on loan to Alaves twice since joining United in 2020.
      Granada are currently second bottom of LaLiga on 11 points, six points off safety with Celta Vigo sitting in 17th.
      Facundo Pellistri is set to join Granada on loanCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-Arsenal star who Wenger labelled ‘interesting prospect’ completes non-league free transfer after 5 months unemployed

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      FORMER Arsenal midfielder Luke Freeman has joined National League side Barnet.The 31-year-old had been a free agent since leaving Luton in August.
      Former Luton star Luke Freeman has joined BarnetCredit: Rex
      However, he sealed a move to the Hive this week following a five-month stint out of the game.
      Upon his arrival, Freeman said: “I’m very delighted (to be here), I’ve been training for the last few weeks now so happy to sign on the dotted line.
      “The most important thing is to be a part of this route to promotion so if I can help in any way then that’s what I’m here to do.”
      Freeman made his professional debut with Gillingham in 2007 after coming through the club’s academy.
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      He joined Arsenal the following year in a £200,000 transfer at the age of just 16.
      Legendary Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger described the midfielder as “a very interesting prospect” following his arrival in North London.
      He made 29 appearances for Arsenal’s reserves but did not break into the first team before leaving for Stevenage in 2012.
      Freeman also played for Yeovil, Bristol City, Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest and Millwall before joining Luton in 2022.
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      Freeman made just 26 appearances and scored two goals for the Hatters.
      The midfielder has made 217 Championship appearances and 11 Premier League appearances in the last 16 years. More

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      Former Man Utd star on verge of shock England recall denied Premier League transfer return as bid is rejected

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      NOTTINGHAM FOREST have failed in a bid to bring Jack Butland back to the Premier League.Nuno Espirito Santo identified the nine-cap former England goalkeeper as the perfect answer to his goalkeeping problems.
      Jack Butland was denied a Premier League return with Nottingham ForestCredit: EPA
      However, Rangers rapidly rejected Forest’s approach.
      And they made it clear Butland is not for sale.
      The 30-year-old keeper has been outstanding since signing for Rangers on a free transfer from Crystal Palace in the summer.
      Since then he has become a huge favourite with Gers fans who would hate to lose their popular No1.
      READ MORE ON MAN UTD
      Butland, who spent last season on loan at Manchester United, has kept 18 clean sheets in 36 appearances for Rangers this season.
      His sensational form has seen him emerge as a shock contender for Gareth Southgate’s England squad for next month’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
      It also attracted Forest, who remain unconvinced by their current ‘keeper’s USA international Matt Turner and Greek international Odysseas Vlachodimos.
      Turner did not help his cause by dropping a shocking blunder in the 2-1 defeat at home to Arsenal.
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      The American allowed the ball to slide between his legs as Gabriel Jesus put the Gunners in front.
      But Santo appears set to be left disappointed in his pursuit of Butland.
      Rangers boss Philippe Clement has issued a clear hands-off warning and made it clear Forest are wasting their time bidding for his star performer.
      Clement’s side sit second in the Scottish Premiership, five points behind Celtic with a game in hand.

      The goalkeeper could be given a shock England recallCredit: Getty More

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      My dad’s a former Premier League star – now I’m making my own way and am on brink of transfer to English football

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      SYDNEY VAN HOOIJDONK is on the brink of a move to England.The former Dutch under-21 international is the son of ex-Celtic and Nottingham Forest striker Pierre van Hooijdonk.
      Sydney van Hooijdonk is reportedly close to joining Norwich on loan from BolognaCredit: Getty
      The striker is the son of former Dutch international Pierre van HooijdonkCredit: instagram / @sydneyvanhooijdonk
      According to Sky Sports News, Norwich are in talks to sign the 23-year-old on loan from Bologna with an option to buy.
      Van Hooijdonk was previously linked with a move to Celtic earlier this month, where his dad won the Scottish Cup in 1995.
      He was also tipped as a potential target for Forest last summer after starring on loan at Heerenven.
      During an 18-month spell with the Eredivisie side, Van Hooijdonk scored 26 goals in 54 appearances.
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      The forward began his career with NAC Breda, where his dad is on the board, before joining Bologna in 2021.
      Van Hooijdonk, who can also play on the left wing, has scored once in 16 first-team appearances for the Italian side.
      His dad was also a striker, scoring 14 goals in 46 caps for the Netherlands.
      The 54-year-old was a member of the Dutch squads for the 1998 World Cup as well as the Euros in both 2000 and 2004.
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      He twice tasted relegation from the Premier League with Forest, either side of powering the club to promotion with 29 league goals during the 1997/98 season.
      After leaving the City Ground, Van Hooijdonk had spells in Portugal, Turkey and his native Netherlands before retiring in 2007 aged 37.
      The 23-year-old starred on loan at Heerenveen last seasonCredit: Rex
      Van Hooijdonk was twice relegated during three years at Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty More

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      Man City goalscoring sensation who scored on debut after being Pep’s ballboy offered January loan transfer

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      MICAH HAMILTON has reportedly been offered a loan move away from Manchester City.The winger made the headlines after he scored on his debut for the Citizens.
      Micah Hamilton has reportedly got interest from the ChampionshipCredit: Alamy
      He was a ballboy at the Etihad in 2017Credit: TNT Sports

      Hamilton, 20, scored his side’s third goal in the Champions League win over Red Star Belgrade in December.
      The moment came six years after he was seen listening to manager Pep Guardiola as a ballboy on the touchline during a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.
      The moment went viral at the time and it re-emerged after his debut strike.
      Guardiola called over the then 13-year-old during the match to tell him to speed up when giving the ball back.
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      Despite scoring in Europe’s premier competition, Hamilton has not played for the senior side since.
      Fabrizio Romano has now claimed that he could leave the Etihad this month.
      The report suggests that the attacker has interest from three Championship sides, including Watford.
      It is said that the Hornets have made an approach to sign Hamilton on loan.
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      However, it has been added that Manchester City are keen on keeping the youngsters.
      It could be the case that the view from the reigning Premier League and European champions is that Hamilton could develop further with the first team than on loan.
      Watford are currently 10th in the Championship, just three points behind 6th-placed Coventry.
      Hamilton, who is currently the captain of City’s under-21 side, has been with the club for 12 years. More

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      Premier League side pull plug on ‘Norwegian Neymar’ transfer after discovering ‘potentially serious injury’ in medical

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      BRENTFORD’S move for Antonio Nusa is off after a serious injury was found in his medical. The Club Brugge winger has been dubbed the “Norwegian Neymar.”
      A serious knee injury was discovered during Antonio Nusa’s medicalCredit: AFP
      Several clubs were interested in the 18-year-old, including Tottenham and Chelsea.
      But Brentford pushed hardest to sign him and agreed a reported club-record £23.5million fee with Club Brugge.
      However, the deal has collapsed with the Bees pulling the plug after discovering knee and back problems as he underwent a medical.
      Reporter Ben Jacobs claims the knee issue is “potentially quite serious”.
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      The two clubs are set to continue talks tomorrow but a transfer in this window is now unlikely.
      Nusa has been touted as a future star and already has four Norway caps.
      The wonderkid has scored four goals in 28 appearances this season.
      Brentford could turn their attention to Said Benrahma as an alternative.
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      The West Ham ace has been linked with a return to his former club after falling out of favour at the Hammers.
      However, SunSport can exclusively reveal that Lyon have agreed a £15m deal for the Algerian. More

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      PSG ‘plot stunning transfer move for Marcus Rashford’ after Man Utd star’s Belfast nightclub storm

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      PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are interested in signing Marcus Rashford, according to reports.The French giants could look to swoop for Rashford after he held showdown talks with boss Erik ten Hag.
      Marcus Rashford has been linked with a transfer away from Man UtdCredit: Getty
      The 26-year-old claimed to be too ill to train on Friday, before it emerged that he had been partying in Belfast the previous night.
      Rashford subsequently missed the Red Devils’ 4-2 win over Newport County in the FA Cup.
      PSG previously showed interest in the forward before he signed a new five-year deal at Man Utd last summer.
      According to the i, The Ligue 1 champions are “tempted” to come back in for Rashford at the end of the season.
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      They add, however, that United do not plan to sell their homegrown star.
      And Rashford is also claimed to not be seeking a move.
      Following his disciplinary breach last week, Rashford was slapped with a two-week fine, worth £650,000.
      In a subsequent statement, the Red Devils said: “Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions.
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      “This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”
      Rashford flew to Ireland on Wednesday to visit pal Ro-Shaun Williams, who now plays for Larne FC having previously been part of United’s academy.
      Belfast waitress Sarah Adair, 30, told of how she served Rashford lunch before he invited her to party with him.
      She said: “I’m not surprised he missed training the next day given how late he got to bed and how much he’d had to drink. He must’ve known he wasn’t going to be in any fit state to play football.”
      Sarah revealed that she had to put Rashford to bed after he drunkenly dropped huge wads of cash on the floor.
      Following United’s win over Newport, Ten Hag said of his No10: “He reported ill and the rest is an internal matter. As I said, we will deal with it.”
      On Monday, Rashford attended a meeting Sir Dave Brailsford and football director John Murtough at Carrington alongside his brother and agent Dwaine Maynard.
      ACE RASH’S TIPPLES TIMELINE
      WEDNESDAY JAN 24
      9.55am: Rashford arrives for Man United training.4.21pm: Private jet leaves Manchester.5.17pm: Plane lands at Belfast International airport. Rashford checks into the Fitzwilliam Hotel and visits the Dirty Onion and Lavery’s bar.
      THURSDAY JAN 25
      1.06pm: Picture posted online of Rashford at Larne FC.2pm: Arrives at Sarah Adair’s restaurant.4.30pm: Leaves restaurant.9.40pm: Rashford sends a driver to bring Sarah to Villa Italia restaurant.
      FRIDAY JAN 26
      00.30am: Rashford filmed going into Thompson’s Garage nightclub.2am: Rashford leaves and the group go back to his hotel — although a source close to the player insists it was at 1.15am.2.50am: The star passes out fully dressed.5am: Rashford and his minders leave hotel.7am: Private jet leaves Belfast airport.8am: Plane touches down at Manchester airport.
      SUNDAY JAN 28
      Rashford is dropped from FA Cup game against Newport County. United boss Erik ten Hag says Rashford’s behaviour is an “internal matter” and he will “deal” with it.
      MONDAY JAN 298.45am: Rashford arrives for training.

      The England star enjoyed a superb season last term, scoring 30 goals and laying on 11 assists.
      He has had a more difficult campaign this time around, however, netting just four goals in 26 outings in all competitions.
      Ten Hag, 53, warned Rashford over his conduct earlier this season after he was seen out celebrating his birthday in Manchester’s China White nightclub just hours after United’s 3-0 derby defeat to City.
      The Dutchman said at the time: “Yes, I am aware of it. I spoke with him about it.
      “It’s unacceptable. I told him, he apologised and that is it. For us, it’s an internal matter.”
      Speaking about Rashford’s situation, former Man Utd captain Gary Neville told BBC Breakfast: “To me, going out for a drink or going out for a night out is something that every football player will do and should do, so I’ve got no problem with that whatsoever. They need to enjoy themselves.
      “It’s just all about choices and timing. Manchester United have just had a winter break.
      I would say, go out and have your moment where you relax with your friends, but your timing has to be rightGary Neville
      “They’ve had a couple of weeks off so there was a better moment for him to choose to go out.
      “I would say, go out and have your moment where you relax with your friends, but your timing has to be right.
      “Marcus himself knows – he’s an experienced player now, we’re not talking about a young lad – but he’s done it a couple of times in the last few months.
      “I’ve always seen Marcus as being really responsible, a good professional and someone who works hard every single day.
      “I know he’s going through a dip in form at this moment in time but it’s happened twice and it can sometimes become your personality if you’re not careful.
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      “If you do it too many times people can start saying, ‘what’s happening in his life?’
      “He just needs to relax, calm down, choose when to go out and get back to playing football at the levels we know he can.” More