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      Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ‘on three-man shortlist for Barcelona job’ as search begins for Xavi’s successor

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      MIKEL ARTETA is among a three-man shortlist to succeed Xavi at Barcelona, reports in Spain say. Nou Camp legend Xavi announced he will be stepping down as Barca boss at the end of the season.
      Mikel Arteta is linked with the Barcelona jobCredit: Getty
      And according to Spanish reporter Gerard Romero, Arsenal manager Arteta is among those the LaLiga giants will eye as a replacement.
      It is claimed Barca sporting director Deco started speaking to the agents of potential candidates over the last few weeks.
      Jurgen Klopp – set to leave Liverpool in the summer too – and Julian Nagelsmann, who is in charge of the German national team, are also linked with the role.
      Barca considered Arteta after sacking Ronald Koeman in October 2021 but Xavi was instead appointed.
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      But Arteta did sign a new contract in 2022, which keeps him tied to the Emirates until the summer of 2025.
      Spanish World Cup winner Xavi led his club to the league title last season – but will leave at the end of this campaign.
      He said: “I think the club needs a change of dynamic.
      “For the good of the players, I believe that they will free themselves. We play with a lot of tension.
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      “For the good of the board of directors, it is best that I leave. I will give my best. I think all of that will help the dynamic change.
      “This is the message I would like to give. I think I am doing the right thing.”
      Xavi made the shock announcement following a 5-3 home loss to Villarreal, which leaves them ten points off leaders Real Madrid.
      Xavi is stepping down as Barcelona bossCredit: Getty

      A look at Barca’s managerial targets

      Mikel Arteta
      The Spaniard learnt his coaching craft under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before taking over at Arsenal in 2019.
      He turned the Gunners into title contenders, only narrowly missing out to City last season.
      And having come through Barca’s youth set up, Xavi’s exit could give Arteta the perfect return to the Nou Camp.
      Jurgen Klopp
      The German established himself as one of the finest coaches in the world after joining Liverpool from Borussia Dortmund in 2015.
      He led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years and also lifted the Champions League in 2019.
      His resignation caused shockwaves around the footballing world and there will be no manager in greater demand than Klopp next season.
      Julian Nagelsmann
      Nagelsmann announced himself at RB Leipzig and his success earned him a dream job at Bayern Munich.
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      With the German giants, he won the league title in 2022 but a year later he was suddenly dismissed.
      And despite links to Chelsea and Tottenham, he instead succeeded Hansi Flick as head coach of the German national team in September. More

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      Chelsea jump into transfer race for Blackburn starlet Adam Wharton after sporting director goes on scouting mission

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      CHELSEA are jumping into the race for Blackburn starlet Adam Wharton and will battle Crystal Palace for the midfielder.Blues’ sporting director Paul Winstanley watched Wharton in action last week after the 19-year-old’s performance against the club in the Carabao Cup earlier this season sparked their interest.
      Chelsea want to sign Adam Wharton from BlackburnCredit: Getty
      Winstanley is in the market for even more talent, despite spending heavily on midfielders and Chelsea may be open to a buy and loan back arrangement.
      Rovers snubbed an £18.5million offer from Palace this week and want up to £25m, although they could take that in a down payment and extras.
      Wharton — who signed a five-year deal at Ewood Park last month — will also want to know his career path, so Chelsea need to be persuasive and any plans to loan him out next season would not appeal.
      Palace are unlikely to go higher than their offer of £15m plus £3.5million in add-ons for Wharton and are already making inquiries about alternatives.
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      They include Birmingham’s Jordan James, 19, who is available at around half the price.
      Serie A side Atalanta have been bidding for James but came up short so Palace could swoop in with an acceptable offer for the Welsh teenager.
      Birmingham want Palace winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on loan — and the 21-year-old may yet become part of the deal.
      Blues have made contact about the wideman, who needs to leave Eagles for regular game time and could go if they bring in a new player or two.
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      Rak-Sakyi is back after two months out with a torn hamstring but unable to get into Roy Hodgson’s squad.
      He has been limited to just eight first team appearances this season. More

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      Brazilian wonderkid Endrick channels inner Jude Bellingham and holds up picture of girlfriend after scoring

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      ENDRICK celebrated a big goal for Brazil by channeling his inner Jude Bellingham and sharing a romantic picture of him and his girlfriend.The Brazilian wonderkid, who is set to team-up with England superstar Bellingham at Real Madrid in the summer, led the Selecao’s Under-23s to a 2-0 win over Colombia.
      Endrick lifted a pic of him and his girlfriend after scoring for Brazil against ColombiaCredit: Instagram / endrick
      The pic of Endrick and his girlfriend Gabriely Miranda was taken in MadridCredit: Instagram / endrick
      Endrick also emulated soon-to-be Real Madrid team-mate Jude BellinghamCredit: Instagram / endrick
      The 17-year-old, who is still playing for Palmeiras, scored the national team’s opener in South America’s pre-Olympic tournament, which will determine the continent’s representatives for Paris 2024.
      The striker then emulated his soon-to-be Real team-mate’s iconic celebration by outstretching his arms.
      Endrick also shared a snap of the celebration on social media and tagged the star midfielder with the following caption: “Judeee”.
      The centre-forward followed it up by lifting a photo of him and his girlfriend Gabriely Miranda, 20.
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      The couple were pictured all loved up in Madrid enjoying the Spanish sunset.
      Gabriely had previously shared the same snap back in December with the following caption, “First trip together”.
      Endrick had responded to her post with a romantic statement saying: “I am in love.”
      Gabriely has stood by the forward as his football career continues to grow.
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      Endrick has been supported by the model at events, including the Brazilian football awards in December where he won three prizes.
      The youngster has already amassed a total of 17 goals and two assists in 60 appearances for Palmeiras.
      Real beat Chelsea for his signature last year after a £60million deal with the Brazilian giants.
      The teenager signed a deal until 2027 with a further three-year option.
      However, Endrick can’t join Los Blancos until July 21 when he turns 18 due to rules in Brazil prohibiting underaged players from going abroad. More

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      Kasper Schmeichel, 37, ‘lined up for Premier League return’ with Leicester rivals as title winner has low buy-out clause

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      KASPER SCHMEICHEL has been lined-up for a shock Premier League return with one of his former club’s biggest rivals.The goalkeeper, who won the Premier League and FA Cup at Leicester City, ended his highly-successful 11-year spell with the Foxes in 2022 to join French side Nice.
      Anderlecht’s goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel could be coming back to the PremCredit: AFP
      But he left them after just one season to sign a 12-month contract for Belgian outfit Anderlecht after his deal in Ligue 1 was terminated.
      Now Schmeichel, whose father Peter earned legendary status playing for Manchester United, could be heading back to England in a shock move.
      That is according to the Daily Mail, who claim that “he has emerged as a potential option for Nottingham Forest if they are able to sign a goalkeeper in January”.
      They state that the 37-year-old “would be open to returning” to our top-flight, despite Forest being East Midlands rivals to Leicester.
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      This update also claims that there “is a relatively low buy-out clause in his contract”.
      And it also adds that “initial discussions between representatives have taken place”. 
      Forest were ready to finish the campaign with Matt Turner and Odysseas Vlachodimos as their two senior goalkeepers.
      However, the recent form of USA international Turner has caused some concerns for new boss Nuno Espirito Santo. 
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      But they must overcome a number of obstacles before they can bring in any new additions.
      Forest are waiting to discover what punishment, which could be a points deduction, they receive after being charged with breaking Premier League spending rules.
      They have signed 43 players since securing promotion 18 months ago and also now they must clear some out before others are brought in.
      They have cancelled Andrey Santos’ season-long loan from Chelsea this month and agreed a £2.6m fee with Flamengo to sell them Brazilian midfielder Gustavo Scarpa.  More

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      Jamie Carragher names his frontrunner to be next Liverpool manager after Jurgen Klopp reveals his plans to quit

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      JAMIE CARRAGHER has tipped a former Liverpool team-mate to be the ideal man to replace Jurgen Klopp.The football world was shocked yesterday when the German, 56, dropped the bombshell that he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
      Jurgen Klopp rocked Liverpool by announcing his departure on FridayCredit: Rex
      Xabi Alonso played alongside Jamie Carragher for five years at LiverpoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Klopp transformed Liverpool back into one of Europe’s most feared teams since taking charge in October 2015 and will lovingly be remembered as the man who ended their 30-year title drought.
      The ex-Dortmund boss also led the Reds to three Champions League finals – tasting success in 2019.
      Klopp informed Liverpool chiefs of his decision to step down last NOVEMBER but players and staff only learned of his exit yesterday.
      And the Anfield club’s chief executive Billy Hogan has confirmed that the process to find a replacement will start immediately.
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      Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, 42, is the favourite with bookmakers to become their new boss.
      The Spaniard is currently in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, who are top of the Bundesliga, and his past links with the Kop make him an obvious choice.
      Alonso spent five years at Liverpool and won the FA Cup and Champions League playing alongside Carragher.
      Now his work in Germany has left his former team-mate convinced that he has what it takes to take over the top job at Anfield.
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      Carragher told Sky Sports: “We are losing one of the greatest managers in world football, one of the greatest managers Liverpool have ever had and it is a sad day, no doubt.
      “But in the same breath, we’ve got to be looking forward to the new man coming in, get behind him and support him. Bill Shankly left, Bob Paisley left, Kenny Dalglish left and Liverpool moves on.
      “You can’t get away from Xabi Alonso because he’s so respected at Liverpool already for what he did as a player – he’s a Champions League winner, held himself with real class, he’s a World Cup winner.
      “Right now, the job he’s done at Bayer Leverkusen, he looks like the brightest young thing in European football. It certainly makes him the front-runner.”
      Alonso was asked directly about the Liverpool job on Friday, to which he replied: “Speculation is normal, my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen.
      “I am very happy at Leverkusen with my players at the moment. [It was a] big surprise in Liverpool, of course — for what Jurgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration. “I am really happy here. I am enjoying my work here. I am feeling each day and each game is a challenge. I am on a beautiful journey in Leverkusen. The next one, I don’t know.
      “I am thinking about where I am right now. I am in a great place and I am enjoying. Saturday is what really matters. I don’t really care what is going to happen in the future right now.”
      Xabi Alonso has been impressing in the dug-out for Bayer LeverkusenCredit: AFP
      Carragher told Sky Sports that he believes the Spaniard is the best man for the jobCredit: Sky Sports More

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      Man Utd ‘had £85.5m bid for Milinkovic-Savic rejected by Lazio’ before midfielder left for just £34m to Saudi Arabia

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      MANCHESTER UNITED had an £85.5million bid for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic rejected by Lazio, it has been revealed. The midfielder had long been on United’s radar but in the summer he left Italy for the Saudi Pro League, joining Al-Hilal for £34m.
      Sergej Milinkovic-Savic now plays for Al HilalCredit: Getty
      Former Lazio sporting director Igli Tare has now spoken out to confirm United and AC Milan both bid for Milinkovic-Savic.
      But he denied that the player was let go by the Serie A giants.
      He told TV Play: “Many things have been said about Milinkovic-Savic that are not true, from losing him as a free agent to the idea he didn’t want to stay.
      “The only true thing is that President Claudio Lotito rejected a very important offer, worth over €100m (£85.5m), from Milan and Manchester United.
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      “I don’t want to get into why the sale did not go through, as Lotito wanted to maintain a strong squad and keep the promises he had made to the coach.
      “Let us not forget that the season which was interrupted by COVID, Lazio were on the verge of winning the Scudetto.”
      Milinkovic-Savic, 28, has nine goals in his 22 appearances for Al-Hilal, where plays alongside Neymar and Aleksandar Mitrovic.
      But recent reports link Milinkovic-Savic with an exit from Saudi already.
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      According to Italian outlet, Il Messaggero, the Serbian told his former Lazio team-mates that he would “like to return” to the club.
      It would add him to a growing list of players who want to make their way back to Europe.
      SunSport reported in October how a number of stars were unhappy after leaving European football, and now a mass of this talent want out.
      England international Jordan Henderson was one such star.
      Henderson, 33, sealed a transfer to Ajax just six months after signing a bumper £700,000-a-week contract for Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool.
      Meanwhile, Karim Benzema is said to have left Saudi chiefs furious after reportedly arriving 17 DAYS late for Al-Ittihad training.
      Elsewhere, Jota has been linked with a transfer to the Premier League after he was not registered in his sides squad. More

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      West Ham ‘in negotiations with Spanish side to sell out-of-favour midfielder for £10.25m’ after Phillips’ arrival

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      WEST HAM star Pablo Fornals is allegedly on the verge of joining Real Betis.The 27-year-old Spanish international midfielder arrived at the Hammers from Villarreal back in 2019.
      Pablo Fornals looks set to leave West Ham this weekCredit: Rex
      Since then he has made over 150 appearances in the Premier League and helped them to Europa Conference League success last term.
      But the arrival of Kalvin Phillips on loan from Manchester City has added more competition for match action in midfield.
      Fornals has only started four times in the top-flight already this term and has failed to score in all competitions.
      And, with just six months remaining on his contract, Fornals is free to talk to clubs from abroad regarding a potential free transfer in the summer.
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      TEAMtalk claimed yesterday that Fornals has agreed personal terms with Betis over a switch to LaLiga.
      They are managed by ex-West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini, the man who brought him to the London Stadium five years ago.
      However, Fornals does not look like he will have to wait until the end of the season to seal the return to his homeland.
      Mundo Deportivo claims that both West Ham and Betis are now in talks over a January transfer.
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      The deadline closes this Thursday and they are looking to complete a £10.25m transfer before then.
      Fornals played 20 times under Pellegrini after signing for him at West Ham, scoring twice and producing three assists. More

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      Man Utd tipped to make stunning Michael Olise transfer as Antony ‘upgrade’ to ‘take team in right direction’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Andy Cole has urged his former club to sign Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.The Red Devils have struggled under the guidance of Erik ten Hag so far this season.
      Michael Olise has been linked with a move to Man UtdCredit: Getty
      They currently sit eighth in the Premier League table, 16 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
      Several players have come under fire amid United’s poor run of form, including £85.5million man Antony.
      The Brazilian winger joined Man Utd from Ajax in August 2022 but struggled to hit the ground running.
      He is yet to score or provide any assists this season despite making 22 appearances across all competitions.
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      United are now understood to be open to letting him leave.
      And ex-striker Cole believes Olise would be the perfect replacement.
      Speaking to Betfred, the United legend said: “I like the kid and he’s very talented. He proved he was a talented kid when he was at Reading and he’s shown that at Crystal Palace too.
      “Regarding his injuries, injuries are part and parcel of football but judging him on his performances alone, he’s grown into that Crystal Palace team and he’s still only 22 years of age.
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      Andy Cole believes Olise will be a huge upgrade on Antony
      Antony has failed to impress this season
      “Is he an upgrade on Antony? Most definitely. I read something that Dwight Yorke said about Antony recently and he claimed that he felt sorry for him and to a certain extent, I feel sorry for him too.
      “To this day, I’m still unsure why they paid as much as they did for him and you can say he’s young and whatever, but I’m still waiting to see what he’s good at.
      “If Olise does join in the summer, then he can bring a lot more to Manchester United because he’s very direct, he’s creative, he scores goals and he’s prepared to take people on.
      “If the move happens, then it’s a signing that could take the team in the right direction.”
      Olise joined Crystal Palace from Reading in the summer of 2021 and has since made 80 appearances.
      However, his game time this season has been cut short due to two hamstring injuries. More