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    Eddie Howe refuses to rule out Newcastle transfers from Saudi Arabia but claims ‘we don’t have an advantage’

    EDDIE HOWE admitted Newcastle may look to Saudi Arabia in January to solve their injury crisis after being given the green light. But the Magpies boss said it is “strange” that the spotlight is on the Toon after Premier League clubs voted this week against a ban on related-party loans. 
    Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted there could be signings from Saudi ArabiaCredit: Rex
    Howe, though, insists Newcastle have no advantage over Premier League rivalsCredit: Getty
    It means Newcastle will be free to sign players from Saudi clubs who are also owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
    Howe is without a host of injured stars and is eyeing up a move for former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, who moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal this summer. 
    Al-Hilal are one of four Saudi sides owned by the Public Investment Fund along with Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli, where the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez play.
    But Howe insists they DON’T have an advantage over rivals. 
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    He said: “You say Newcastle’s favour… the majority of Premier League clubs own other clubs around the world, so it’s not solely on us. 
    “It’s the same for everybody. We’ll potentially be allowed to recruit from a league, just like every other Premier League club can as well. 
    “There’s no advantage in my eyes. I found it strange that the focus has been solely on us. Every club has a right to vote how they want and it hasn’t gone through so it’s not just about us.”
    Howe also admitted that he may be forced into the January transfer market because of the number of players crocked. 
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    On top of Sandro Tonali’s 10-month betting ban, he is without Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Matt Targett and Elliot Anderson. 
    Neither are expected back in the foreseeable future, though Fabian Schar, Miguel Almiron and Alexander Isak are all expected to return for the visit of Chelsea on Saturday. 
    Kieran Trippier is also back available having withdrawn from England duty because of “personal reasons”. 
    But Howe said: “January was not a window that we were looking to invest in. 
    “Certainly we’re going to have to be reactive I think because we’ve got injuries in different areas of the squad. 
    “It would only be a reaction to the injuries we have, and whether we need to recruit because the majority of our players would be back in January, at this moment in time we don’t know.” More

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    Ivan Toney at centre of three-way transfer scrap with Chelsea battling two Premier League rivals for £80million striker

    CHELSEA are braced for a three-way battle with their London rivals for Ivan Toney.The club’s top brass suspect Tottenham as well as Arsenal are poised to move for the controversial £100 million-rated Brentford striker during the next transfer window.
    Chelsea are prepared to battle Arsenal and Chelsea for Ivan ToneyCredit: Getty
    Toney is training again while serving the remainder of an eight month ban he received in May for breaking rules on betting.
    And as he warms up for a long-awaited return in January, the Premier League’s big clubs in the Capital are starting to circle.
    Chelsea and Arsenal have long-established interest in Toney, 27, who scored 21 goals for The Bees before copping his ban towards the end of last season.
    But insiders at Stamford Bridge are also convinced that Tottenham are lining up a bid to buy Toney as a replacement for Harry Kane.
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    Spurs have played down speculation linking them to Toney, claiming they are more focused on adding defensive cover in the new year.
    But sources at Stamford Bridge are not convinced and are preparing to go head-to-head with their city neighbours in the transfer market.
    Kane quit Spurs for German giants Bayern Munich in the summer and he hasn’t been directly replaced despite the £47.5 million signing of forward Brennan Johnson.
    Arsenal have been tracking Toney for some time to boost their forward line as they bid to push defending champions Manchester City for the Premier League title.
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    Current striker Gabriel Jesus has only this week returned from a month-long injury absence by playing for his country Brazil.
    Chelsea’s need for a dedicated centre forward has been obvious despite recent goals from new signing Nicolas Jackson.
    The Senegalese has scored four in two games in the absence of crocked Christopher Nkunku.
    But Chelsea failed to find the net in home matches against Brentford, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest. More

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    Man Utd ‘ready to let Casemiro leave in £50million January transfer’ just 18 months after signing Brazilian

    MANCHESTER UNITED are prepared to let Casemiro leave in January, according to reports.Casemiro, 31, joined the Red Devils in a huge £70million transfer from Real Madrid last summer.
    Man Utd are open to selling Casemiro for £50mCredit: Rex
    The midfielder was one of Erik ten Hag’s top performers during his debut campaign at Old Trafford.
    However, he has experienced a significant dip in form this season.
    And TEAMtalk claim that he could leave the club as soon as January.
    Man Utd are demanding £50m for Casemiro, with Ten Hag and his team already scouting potential replacements.
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    The Brazilian is understood to be open to all opportunities, with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr among the clubs that are interested in a transfer.
    Casemiro is one of 15 first team players that could leave Man Utd within the next year.
    His former Real Madrid team-mate Raphael Varane is also expected to move away in January after falling out of favour with Ten Hag.
    Jadon Sancho, who has been exiled from the squad following a public feud with the Dutchman, is another star who is up for sale, while Antony is said to be on his way out too.
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    Victor Lindelof, Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Hannibal Mejbri, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton will all depart next summer if they do not sign new extensions.
    And despite their resurgence in form, Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay could also be shipped out. More

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    Ex-Everton star completes free transfer to join Newcastle icon at non-league side as fans say ‘as if.. remember him?’

    FORMER Everton ace Oumar Niasse has joined non-league side Macclesfield on a short-term deal.Niasse has had several spells across English football throughout his 15-year career and will now be playing in the Northern Premier League.
    Ex-Everton ace Oumar Niasse has joined Macclesfield on a free transferCredit: Macclesfield Town FC
    Niasse will be joining Newcastle icon Papiss Cisse, who is training with MacclesfieldCredit: Getty
    The Silkmen confirmed the striker’s arrival at the Leasing.com Stadium by announcing he has signed a short deal subject to league approval.
    The ex-Senegal international’s free transfer has been met by mixed reaction with some fans shocked by how the former Premier League player ended up in the seventh tier.
    One fan tweeted: “As if! Remember him.”
    Another commented: “The saviour has returned.”
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    A third wrote: “Keeps dropping down.”
    But there were also other fans with fond memories of Niasse and wished him the best of luck.
    One commented: “Good luck Oumar.”
    Another tweeted: “Good luck lad top scorer incoming.”
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    A third posted: “Good luck Oumar, smash it lad.”
    Niasse will be joining Newcastle hero and former Senegal team-mate Papiss Cisse at Macclesfield.
    Cisse started training with Alex Bruce’s side earlier this month after leaving Amiens last year.
    Niasse moved to England initially in 2016 to join Everton but failed to stand out and was sent out on loan to Hull as well as Cardiff.
    The 33-year-old left the Toffees four years later and went on to compete for the likes of Huddersfield, Burton and Morecambe. More

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    Arsenal on brink of completing first transfer of 2024 with Mikel Arteta and Co ‘to seal £27million signing’

    ARSENAL are set to complete a permanent deal for Brentford loanee David Raya.Raya joined the Gunners on loan from the Bees last summer with an option to buy this coming June.
    Arsenal are set to seal a permanent deal for Brentford loanee David RayaCredit: Getty
    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta rates Raya very highly between the sticksCredit: Getty
    However, the North Londoners are already planning ahead and are set to seal the goalkeeper’s future at the Emirates at the turn of the year.
    According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, a deal to complete the Spain international’s move in 2024 is “all guaranteed”.
    The Premier League giants will complete the switch by triggering the 28-year-old’s £27million release clause.
    Raya has already penned a “potential long-term contract” with Arsenal that comes into effect in June.
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    Brentford have also accepted the structure of the deal due to Financial Fair Play regulations.
    This poses as a major boost for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who rates his fellow Spaniard very highly.

    So much so that Arteta established Raya as his new No1 almost immediately after his arrival at the Emirates last summer.
    The Spanish tactician has received plenty of criticism for his decision to omit Aaron Ramsdale as his starting keeper.
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    A series of errors by Raya also fuelled protests from fans demanding the return of Ramsdale to the starting line-up.
    However, Arteta doesn’t look set to budge any time soon now that the Spanish shot-stopper is ready to commit his future in North London.
    That could force Ramsdale out of Arsenal as he will need consistent first-team football to seal an England call-up for the summer’s Euro 2024 finals in Germany. More

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    Man Utd blow as star man ‘considering switching international allegiance for Afcon’ as fans say ‘I beg please no’

    MANCHESTER UNITED ace Aaron Wan-Bissaka could switch his international allegiance from England to Congo.Such a decision would be a significant blow for United as they could lose Wan-Bissaka for an entire month after the Christmas holidays.
    Manchester United ace Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been approached by CongoCredit: Getty
    Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag would be without Wan-Bissaka for a whole month due to AfconCredit: Rex
    That is because the full-back would have to jet off to the Ivory Coast and link up with the Leopards for the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on January 13 and ends on February 11.
    Congo have advanced to the finals and will take on Morocco, Zambia and Tanzania in the group stage.
    According to The Athletic’s insider David Ornstein, Wan-Bissaka has been approached by the African country’s football association.
    The 25-year-old has yet to decide but he is considering a potential switch.
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    The ex-Crystal Palace star was born in Croydon but is of Congolese descent and even played for the country’s Under-17s back in 2015.
    And funnily enough, that was for an international friendly against England who won 8-0.
    United fans took to social media immediately after the news broke as they were devastated with the thought of losing another player amid an injury-stricken campaign.
    That would mean manager Erik ten Hag would only have one right-back available in Diogo Dalot.
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    However, some supporters admit Wan-Bissaka deserves a crack at international football having failed to play for England at senior level with Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Reece James ahead of him.
    One fan tweeted: “No I beg please no.”
    Another posted: “Massive blow for us if he goes to AFCON, but would be a good decision for his international career.”
    A third commented: “Man United must have some bad news almost daily.”

    This fan said: “Bad situation in a good manner. Oh no.”
    And that one stated: “A significant decision that could impact Man Utd’s right-back position during the tournament. All eyes on the 25-year-old’s choice!”
    Wan-Bissaka (centre) has not been called up to the senior England squadCredit: Getty More

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    Real Madrid’s staggering transfer budget revealed as all signs point to Galactico arriving with Erling Haaland linked

    REAL MADRID look set to move for both Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe as their whopping transfer budget has been revealed.Real look ready to usher in another Galactico era following Jude Bellingham’s record £115million move from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
    Real Madrid have the money to sign Manchester City star Erling HaalandCredit: Alamy
    Real could also sign Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian MbappeCredit: AFP
    And according to AS, Los Blancos are now looking to add Paris Saint-Germain’s Mbappe as well as Manchester City’s Haaland starting this coming summer.
    The Spanish giants also have the funds to pull off such a sensational double swoop in the near future.
    The Madrid outfit has £111million (€128m) in cash and £230m (€265m) in unused loans granted to attract both star forwards.
    And Real’s imminent move to the new Santiago Bernabeu, which is expected to take place next year around spring, “ensures” a set of “flashy signings” for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
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    The LaLiga team has been keeping tabs on Mbappe for a long time and almost signed him last year until he had a last-minute change of heart and opted to extend at PSG.
    However, the France international’s contract runs out in June after he opted against triggering a player clause that would have seen his deal run until 2025.

    But recent reports suggested Real’s interest has cooled due to the 24-year-old’s enormous salary demands.
    Thus, Ancelotti’s team has turned its focus on Haaland who continues to dominate the goalscoring charts in the Premier League with 17 goals and four assists in 18 appearances already under his name.
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    Speculation mounted after the Norway international’s agent Rafaela Pimenta was spotted at the Bernabeu to watch the Champions League match against Braga earlier this month.
    However, Pimenta insisted after the game there were no talks regarding the 23-year-old.
    Reports also suggested there haven’t been any meetings between the two sides yet and negotiations are reserved for the summer. More

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    Mauricio Pochettino demands Chelsea HIJACK £35m Tottenham transfer for prolific striker in January

    MAURICIO POCHETTINO has reportedly demanded Chelsea hijack Tottenham’s £35million move for Feyenoord star Santiago Gimenez.The Mexico striker netted 23 goals in all competitions last term as his side cruised to the Dutch title.
    Mauricio Pochettino has urged Chelsea to sign Feyenoord’s Santiago GimenezCredit: Getty
    The Argentine is ready to take on Spurs for the Mexican strikerCredit: AFP
    But Gimenez, 22, has been in even more prolific form this season, already netting 15 times in as many games for Arne Slot’s side.
    It’s reckoned the hitman is now being lined up for a big-money January switch, with Spurs leading the way.
    Ange Postecoglou is determined to add a new forward after winning eight of his opening 12 Premier League games, despite not having replaced Harry Kane.
    And Gimenez’s profile makes him the ideal candidate, with a £35m valuation also well within Tottenham’s limits.
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    However, the north Londoners are now set to face competition from rivals Chelsea.
    The Blues look to have turned a corner after firing eight goals past Spurs and Manchester City in their last two games.
    But doubts remain over Nicolas Jackson’s ability to regularly hit the target.
    Christopher Nkunku is edging back to fitness after a lengthy injury absence.
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    And Pochettino wants to sign a new No9 once the winter market opens.
    Brentford’s Ivan Toney and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen are two players on his radar.

    But TeamTalk claims Gimenez has now emerged as the Argentine’s top choice.
    And he has urged Todd Boehly to get his chequebook out once again, with Gimenez likely keen on moving to Stamford Bridge.
    Should the striker move to Chelsea, Armando Broja could find his future in question.
    The Albania international has just two goals in 24 games for Chelsea after picking up a serious injury last term.
    And it’s believed West Ham are lining up a bid this January to coincide with Chelsea’s offer for Gimenez. More