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    Kylian Mbappe wanted by Liverpool and European rivals as Real Madrid face missing out on No1 transfer target

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN superstar Kylian Mbappe is being targeted by Liverpool and Bayern Munich, reports suggest.Mbappe is set to become a free agent this summer after he refused to trigger a clause last year that would have extended his contract for a season.
    Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappe is wanted by Liverpool and Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
    Real Madrid are showing hesitation regarding a move for MbappeCredit: Reuters
    Real Madrid had been favourites to land the striker in June but his astronomical salary of £30m per year, his recent performances and the club’s “financial issues” have led to doubts.
    According to Foot Mercato, Real’s hesitations have led to Liverpool as well as Bayern considering a serious bid for the 24-year-old.
    The Reds have been keeping an eye on the France international since 2017 when he joined PSG initially on loan from Monaco before his permanent move a year later.
    The Merseysiders’ manager Jurgen Klopp even met for talks with Mbappe before his move to Parc des Princes.
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    Recent reports also suggested Liverpool and the Frenchman’s camp have remained in contact in the period since.
    The versatile forward confirmed there were talks with the Premier League giants six years ago and they had a “greater chance” of signing him.
    Mbappe said last year: “We talked a little bit, but not too much. We talked a little bit.
    “I talked to Liverpool because it’s the favourite club of my mum, my mum loves Liverpool. I don’t know why, you will have to ask her!
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    “It’s a good club and we met them five years ago. When I was in Monaco I met them. It’s a big club.”
    According to Sport 1, Bayern are also ready to join the bidding war for Mbappe.
    The German champions hold a “serious” interest for the 2018 World Cup winner even though they understand how “complicated” a potential deal could turn out to be. More

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    Chelsea wonderkids who never made the grade and what happened to them including Charly Musonda and Josh McEachran

    CHELSEA have developed a reputation for bringing through top-quality youngsters over the years.Since Roman Abramovich’s takeover in the early 2000s, a host of superstars have been brought through their ranks.
    Chelsea have brought through some world class talent but also some forgotten starsCredit: Getty
    They have included the likes of John Terry, Reece James, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fikayo Tomori and many more.
    But what about those that are forgotten about after just a short stint in the first team?
    Many Blues hopefuls promise a great deal but are barely given a sniff of action before being moved on.
    Here are some of the Chelsea wonderkids that failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge.
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    GAEL KAKUTA
    Gael Kakuta eventually exited Stamford Bridge back in 2015Credit: Action Images – Reuters
    The name will remain synonymous with off-field controversy at Stamford Bridge, but Kakuta was once the brightest young thing at the club.
    Chelsea were hit with a 16-month transfer ban by Fifa in 2009 for allegedly inducing Kakuta to break his contract with French club Lens in 2007.
    The move appeared to be worth it as Kakuta won Academy Player of the Year, finished top scorer for the youth side and won the U19 European Championship with France.
    When he made his first-team debut in 2009 after a four-month ban from Fifa, a Mail on Sunday article was headlined: “Chelsea’s new wonder boy worth all the fuss.”
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    A decade later, Kakuta signed with French club Amiens in what is the 13th professional club of his career and he returned to Lens after impressing on loan there.
    He went out on loan to six clubs during six years with Chelsea’s first-team before eventually moving on to Sevilla.
    There were a couple of years in China and a return to Spain before he switched to France.
    Embarrassingly, Kakuta was embroiled in a court case in 2014 when a broke former footballer masqueraded as him to fund a luxury lifestyle.
    Medi Abalimba was jailed after racking up huge bills in hotels and nightclubs pretending to be the ex-Chelsea star.
    JOSH MCEACHRAN
    Josh McEachran did not live up to the hype at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Back in 2010, a 17-year-old McEachran emerged as the brightest young talent in the Chelsea academy.
    The Blues fought off the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United to sign the teenager.
    McEachran was expected to evolve from starlet to star at Chelsea and, in turn, be the successor to Frank Lampard’s crown in midfield.
    Then England U21s boss Stuart Pearce said: “He’s got a really outstanding talent, similar to Jack Wilshere, and it bodes well for England.
    “If Josh and Jack were wearing Spanish shirts, you would revere them.”
    The arrival of Andre Villas-Boas to Stamford Bridge in 2011 brought an end to McEachran’s progression and he sought opportunities on loan.
    He was sent out to five clubs in three years, from Watford to Wigan, but struggled to settle at any.
    In 2015, he broke free of Chelsea’s loan army and joined Brentford on a permanent deal, a move which had highs and lows until his release in the summer of 2019.
    McEachran went on to join Birmingham City but only played eight Championship matches before he signed for MK Dons and then Oxford.
    BERTRAND TRAORE
    Bertrand Traore left Chelsea for LyonCredit: AP:Associated Press
    The repercussions of Traore’s move to Chelsea in 2013 were felt at Stamford Bridge during Lampard’s reign.
    Lampard’s inability to make any signings upon taking over was due to the Blues being slapped with a transfer ban linked to Traore’s arrival back in 2013.
    His move to Chelsea was one of the key components in Fifa’s evidence as part of an investigation into the club’s signing of foreign players under the age of 18.
    Fifa said it found breaches in 29 cases out of the 92 investigated.
    In the end, Traore played just 16 times for Chelsea and departed for Lyon in an £8.8m move in 2017.
    And in France, he impressed scoring 21 goals in 87 games for the club.
    His return to form earned Traore a move back to the Premier League with Aston Villa in 2020.
    SLOBODAN RAJKOVIC
    Slobodan Rajkovic departed Chelsea back in 2011Credit: Getty
    When a 16-year-old Rajkovic signed for Chelsea in 2005, it was seen as a giant coup.
    The centre-back, tipped to succeed John Terry in defence, had spent the previous summer at Arsenal’s youth camp.
    The majority of Europe’s big beasts were looking to sign the talented defender, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus, Inter Milan and Monaco.
    A work permit stalled Rajkovic’s progression at Chelsea so he was sent to Holland on loan, to PSV, Twente and then Vitesse Arnhem.
    Villas-Boas gave the Serbian centre-back his first start for Chelsea, in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wycombe Wanderers in 2011.
    The same year Rajkovic was sold to Hamburg in a £1.8m deal.
    His career never really ignited, making just 42 appearances for the German side in four years.
    Rajkovic spent three years with Italian club Palermo but was released after they finished bottom of Serie B.
    The boy once wanted by all briefly plied his trade in Russia with FC Lokomotiv Moscow but his contract was terminated by mutual consent.
    He then returned to his homeland to play for TSC Backa Topola, before he joined Hungarian side MTK Budapest.
    DOMINIC SOLANKE
    Dominic Solanke ended up finding success at BournemouthCredit: Action Images – Reuters
    Jose Mourinho made it clear how much potential Solanke had at Chelsea.
    Back in 2014, in his second stint as Stamford Bridge boss, Mourinho named Solanke in a list of players who would be representing their countries in a few years.
    The now-Roma boss said: “In this moment, we have players who will be Chelsea players. And when they become Chelsea players, they will become England players, almost for sure.”
    Quite understandable given Solanke’s success in the youth ranks.
    He was England’s Youth Player of the Year in 2014, Chelsea’s Academy Player of the Year the following season and earned his first-team debut aged just 17.
    Solanke was the prolific goalscorer who helped Chelsea to successive FA Youth Cups in 2014 and 2015, as well as a Uefa Youth League.
    But, at the age of 19, Solanke opted for a new beginning having not seen first-team opportunities come his way.
    He headed for Merseyside with Liverpool where he made 21 appearances in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team but only scored on the final day of the 2017-18 season.
    Bournemouth forked out a whopping £19m for him in 2019.
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    ISLAM FERUZ
    Islam Feruz left Chelsea in 2019Credit: PA:Empics Sport
    Liverpool star Andrew Robertson once described Feruz, his then team-mate at Celtic, as the ‘golden boy’ of Scottish youth football.
    Feruz was plucked away by Chelsea in 2011, aged 15, to be another star at the club’s Cobham academy.
    But such promise didn’t translate into success for the striker as he was sent out on loan to Crete, Blackpool, Hibernian, Royal Excel Mouscron and Swindon Town.
    And when his contract at Chelsea came to an end in 2017 he was released.
    Over five years as a Blues player, having been sent on as many loans, Feruz made just 20 professional appearances and scored no goals.
    Chelsea deemed the striker, once the darling of Scottish youth football, to have lost his potential.
    He joined Radnicki earlier this year after a six-year hiatus from the game.
    KENEDY
    Kenedy is now back in Brazil having failed to make it at Chelsea
    The winger arrived in West London as a teen from Fluminense in August 2015 and soon scored his first goal for the club in the League Cup at Walsall in a 4-1 win.
    Later that season in March he needed just 39 seconds to break the deadlock in another win at Norwich and ended up making 15 Premier League appearances for the club.
    Hopes were high that his development would continue with a loan spell at Watford but he only managed to make one league appearance in a dismal stint at Vicarage Road.
    Kenedy then headed to Newcastle in what turned out to be an 18-month loan in January 2018 and he did gain some top-flight experience with 38 Prem appearances.
    Unfortunately for him that spell also led to him making history during a poor display against Cardiff.
    He became the first player since 2010 to play a full Prem first half without completing a single pass before his stoppage time penalty was saved by Neil Etheridge.
    Toon failed to make that move permanent and he then spent two seasons in Spain on loan at Getafe and then Granada.
    The Brazilian returned to his homeland on loan at Flamengo, before he signed for Real Vallodolid in 2022.
    CHARLY MUSONDA
    Charly Musonda played just seven games for ChelseaCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Charly Musonda spent five years at Chelsea before he broke through and made his debut under Antonio Conte in the 2017 Community Shield against Arsenal – which the Gunners won on penalties.
    He went on to play seven times for the Blues – all of which came in the 2017/18 campaign.
    But Musonda departed Stamford Bridge in 2022 when he signed for Levante where he spent one season.
    He then joined Greek outfit Anorthosis on a three-year deal after Levante terminated his contract.
    BILLY GILMOUR
    Billy Gilmour won the Champions League at ChelseaCredit: PA
    Billy Gilmour was once tipped to be a star of the future in West London.
    He featured 22 times across the Blues’ two seasons between 2019 and 2021.
    And at the end of that spell he became a Champions League winner under Thomas Tuchel.
    However, he was then farmed out on loan the following season as he made 28 appearances for fellow Premier League side Norwich.
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    And he departed Chelsea on a permanent basis in 2022 when Brighton signed him on a four-year deal.
    Gilmour went on to help Roberto De Zerbi’s men clinch European football for the first time in the club’s history. More

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    Fans spot Bayern Munich are at it again as they sign ‘the next big thing in football’ for minimal transfer fee

    FOOTBALL fans reckon German giants Bayern Munich are ahead of the game once again.That’s after Thomas Tuchel’s side snapped up “the next big thing in football” for a minimal transfer fee.
    Bayern Munich have signed Nestory Irankunda from Adelaide UnitedCredit: Getty

    Fabrizio Romano revealed Bayern have completed the signing of Nestory Irankunda from Adelaide United.
    The speedy winger is just 17 years old and will officially become a new Bayern player next summer.
    Irankunda, who was born in Tanzania, has 11 goals in seven games for Australia’s U17s.
    At club level, the forward has nine goals in 39 matches after making his pro debut last year aged just 15.
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    And head of youth development Jochen Sauer reckons Bayern have struck gold, with the Germans paying an A-League record £2.85million fee.
    He said: “We have had Nestory on our radar for some time, he’s an extremely fast winger.”
    Irankunda revealed his pride at the deal, adding: “I’m happy to have this all finalised and to be heading to one of the best clubs in the world, it’s a real dream come true.”
    It’s not the first time Bayern have snapped up a top young talent for a bargain fee.
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    Current aces like Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala quickly became key players despite being in their teens when they joined.
    And fans reckon Bayern have stitched up their rivals again by landing another top prospect.
    One said: “Another signing for Bayern? Seriously, they’re just collecting talents like trading cards now, it’s getting ridiculous.”
    Another declared: “The next big thing in football.”
    One noted: “Just signed a £100m+ talent for £3m. Sensational for Australian football.”
    Another added: “He will be the next Kylian Mbappe.” More

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    Arsenal set to hijack Newcastle’s move for Ruben Neves with Gunners ready to replace crocked Thomas Partey

    ARSENAL have been handed a major boost as they try to hijack Newcastle’s move for Ruben Neves, according to reports.The Gunners are in the market for a central midfielder in January with Thomas Partey expected to be out into next year due to a thigh injury.
    Ruben Neves could return to the Premier League just months after moving to Al-HilalCredit: AP
    Meanwhile, Newcastle are also on the lookout for someone in the same position after Sandro Tonali was slapped with a ten-month ban for betting breaches.
    The Toon are keen on Neves and have been hoping to snap up the Al-Hilal star.
    A loan move has been in the works with the signing made straightforward due to the PIF Group owning both Newcastle and the Saudi Arabian club.
    But the deal now looks off with the Premier League ready to implement a rule change to stop such transfer being allowed.
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    The 20 clubs are set to vote in favour of preventing teams loaning players from clubs that have the same owners as them next week.
    This change in regulations improves Arsenal’s chances of signing Neves this winter.
    talkSPORT claim Gunners chief Edu is a huge fan of the 26-year-old.
    The Portuguese international has plenty of Premier League experience to his name after spending six years at Wolves.
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    He played 253 times for the club, scored 30 goals and captained the side regularly before his £47million move to Al-Hilal back in the summer.
    On Newcastle’s interest in Neves, manager Eddie Howe said: “He was a player we liked when at Wolves.
    “We are open to signing players from anywhere if they’re good enough and make us better.”
    When asked if they would fight any rule change, Howe added: “You can make that assumption.”
    Arsenal are looking to replace the injured Thomas ParteyCredit: Getty More

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    Brighton slap British record price tag on Evan Ferguson as Tottenham line up transfer for Harry Kane replacement

    BRIGHTON have slapped a British record price tag on Evan Ferguson following his contract extension.The Irish striker penned a new six-year deal with the Seagulls last week to keep him at the club until 2029.
    Brighton have slapped a British record price tag on Evan FergusonCredit: PA
    Ferguson has attracted interest from several top sides this season, including Tottenham.
    However, it would take more than the £115million Chelsea paid Brighton for Moises Caicedo in the summer to sign Ferguson.
    According to talkSPORT, Brighton value the teenager at over £100m and there is no release clause in his new contract.
    Spurs remain interested, though, having identified Ferguson as a long-term successor to Harry Kane, the report adds.
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    Kane sealed a £104million move to Bayern Munich in the summer, leaving a void in the Spurs attack.
    Manchester United and Chelsea are also admirers of Ferguson, who is said to be in no rush to leave Brighton, but Manchester City are not currently targeting a move.
    Ferguson joined Brighton from Bohemians in 2021 after making his debut for the Irish side aged just 14 in a friendly against Chelsea.
    Now 19, he has already scored three goals in eight senior caps for Ireland and is Brighton’s top scorer in the league this term.
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    He broke into Roberto De Zerbi’s side last season as Brighton secured European football for the first time in their history.
    The Seagulls are currently second in their Europa League group following back-to-back wins over Dutch giants Ajax. More

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    Tottenham scouting Pedro Goncalves as they plot transfer for Sporting star who humiliated Arsenal in Europa League

    TOTTENHAM are scouting Sporting star Pedro Goncalves as they plot a transfer move.The playmaker previously humiliated Arsenal in the Europa League last season.
    Tottenham have sent scouts to watch Sporting’s Pedro GoncalvesCredit: Getty
    Ange Postecoglou is looking to bolster his squad after a strong start to the season in the wake of injuries to James Maddison and Richarlison.
    Those and other injuries have left his squad short and after back-to-back defeats, Spurs are understood to be eyeing a centre-back, two attacking midfielders and a forward in January.
    Goncalves, who has a £60million release clause, is one of the names being targeted to ease the burden on Maddison in attacking midfield.
    Scouts have watched the 25-year-old multiple times this season, most recently in the derby against Benfica on Sunday.
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    Goncalves’ versatility has caught the eye of Spurs, as he can play on both wings as well as behind a central striker or even deeper in midfield.
    He has already racked up five goals and four assists this season and previously finished as Liga Portugal’s top scorer in the 2020/21 season with 23 goals.
    Arsenal fans are already familiar with his talents too, after their Europa League exit at the hands of Sporting back in March.
    Goncalves scored from the halfway line at the Emirates Stadium during their round of 16 second leg to send the match to penalties, where Sporting would win 5-3.
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    The twice-capped Portugal international has yet to miss a game for Sporting so far this term and would become the third member of Postecoglou’s squad to join from the Portuguese giants.
    Eric Dier and Pedro Porro both previously arrived from Sporting, with the two clubs enjoying a solid relationship. More

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    Chelsea fans say ‘hell nah, we good’ as they and Newcastle are linked with £55million former target

    CHELSEA are ready to re-enter the race to sign Barcelona star Raphinha, according to reports.The Blues tried to buy him in 2022 before he agreed to join the Catalan giants in a £55million move from Leeds.
    Raphinha has been linked with a move to Chelsea and NewcastleCredit: Getty
    Raphinha previously revealed that he rejected Chelsea because it was his dream to play for Barca.
    But into just his second season with the club, the Brazilian could already be put up for sale.
    Raphinha got ten goals and ten assists in 50 games last season but has since lost his place in the starting XI following injuries, suspension and underwhelming performances this term.
    And reports state that Barcelona could look to cash-in on him if his form does not soon improve.
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    Chelsea and Newcastle are both open to signing Raphinha should be become available.
    The 26-year-old caught the eye of several top clubs during his two seasons in the Premier League with Leeds.
    But Chelsea fans are not thrilled by the speculation linking them with him signature.
    Raphinha often plays on the right-wing and Cole Palmer has already excelled in the position.
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    One supporter said in response to the reports: “We don’t need him anymore.”
    Another added: “Hell nah, we good.”
    A third reacted: “We have a superb squad. Give these young lads a chance to prove themselves.” More

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    My son has lost his smile at Arsenal, says Ramsdale’s emotional dad as he slams Arteta for ‘wrong’ way he axed keeper

    AARON RAMSDALE’S father claims his son has “lost his smile” after he criticised Mikel Arteta’s handling over dropping the Arsenal goalkeeper. The former Sheffield United and Bournemouth stopper, 25, arrived at the Emirates in 2021 and instantly became No1, a post he held until September this year.
    Aaron Ramsdale’s father has hit out at the ‘wrong’ way his son was axedCredit: The Highbury Squad podcast
    The Arsenal goalkeeper has been playing second fiddle since SeptemberCredit: Getty
    Mikel Arteta has opted for David Raya instead of the England star in the Prem and EuropeCredit: Rex
    Summer signing David Raya, who arrived on an initial loan from Brentford, was picked instead of the England international for the win at Everton in September.
    The star has continued to be picked since by Arteta, with Ramsdale’s only outings since coming in the Carabao Cup, despite the boss initially claiming that the pair would rotate starts.
    Ramsdale admitted last month that he was “suffering and hurting” but vowed to work well with the man who has taken his spot.
    Now his dad, Nick, has been discussing the situation with Sophie Nicolaou and former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell on The Highbury Squad podcast.
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    He said: “Aaron’s lost that smile to when he was holding on to that ball at this moment in time.
    “And it is difficult. It really is difficult to see him there and we all keep saying you need to keep smiling.
    “David Raya is a great goalkeeper and it is not his fault. He’s just come in as a goalkeeper. David Raya, Aaron says, he is a lovely guy and he works hard with him and Aaron’s trying to help him as much as he can to settle in with the squad.
    “It’s possibly the way it’s been done. Not knowing the reason why, and this is me because we don’t know why.
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    “Again, Aaron is working as hard as he can. He’s trying to do his best for the squad. He’s upbeat and he’ll do everything for Arsenal to try and win the league.”
    Nick also stated that the atmosphere inside the Emirates on matchdays has “dropped like a lead ballon”, saying: “It’s not as fun as it used to be.

    “It was toxic when Aaron arrived and then it became a house party, last season was a house party – it now seems like mum and dad have got home, there’s a mess everywhere, mum and dad aren’t happy and the atmosphere has dropped like a lead balloon.
    “Maybe it’s sour grapes from me. If we win the Premier League it doesn’t matter if the atmosphere isn’t so good.”
    Nick then revealed a conversation between him and Arteta and claimed that the Arsenal manager made it clear to him that he only wanted his son despite Raya’s agent recently stating that his client had been a long-term transfer target for the Gunners.
    Nick, who also said that Arsenal sometimes “need to play beer football” as they can’t play “champagne football all the time”, says: “When I spoke to Mr Arteta on the phone before he signed Aaron, he said he wanted Aaron.
    “But now, you know, David Raya’s back on the market and he’s had David Raya.”
    Ramsdale actually penned a new long-term contract extension just weeks before Raya came in – and Nick says he agreed to that without the knowledge that he would soon be playing second fiddle to somebody else.
    He said: “Why would you extend a goalkeeper or any player’s contract and then two months later, or three months later…
    David Raya has been preferred to Aaron Ramsdale since SeptemberCredit: Getty
    “No, we did not have a clue, I didn’t have a clue, our family didn’t have a clue, Aaron didn’t have a clue that he was not going to carry on playing.”
    He then stated that Ramsdale, who admitted he struggles to concentrate all game to Ian Wright previously, has not been told by Arteta exactly what his role now is, saying: “Aaron is going to be the cup goalkeeper, and David Raya is going to be the main man unless something happens, an injury or a sending-off.
    “Aaron’s got to live with that and he is living with that even though he’s not been told it. By anybody.”
    But he then showed his support for Raya by adding: “You’ve got to give the guy a chance for God’s sake. Even though the way it’s been done, in my eyes, it’s been wrong and we can talk about that but it’s the decision.
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    “Really and truly we’ve got to get behind David Raya. He’s part of the family now.
    “Whether it’s only until May-June of next year. It won’t be, it’ll be longer in my eyes, but that’s by the by.” More