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    Former Man Utd star linked with January Premier League return as current club ‘consider terminating contract’

    FORMER Manchester United striker Josh King is expected to leave Fenerbahce in January, according to reports.King, 31, joined the Turkish side in July 2022 and has since scored 11 goals in 38 appearances.
    Sheffield United are interested in signing Josh KingCredit: Getty
    However, his game time this season has been limited due to injury.
    Ismail Kartal is now prepared to offer the striker a mutual contract termination.
    Should he leave Fenerbahce in January, King will become a free agent.
    And according to Turkish outlet Milliyet, Sheffield United are monitoring him.
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    The Blades allegedly expressed an interest in signing the Norway international earlier this year, but they could not reach an agreement with Fenerbahce.
    Paul Heckingbottom is now expected to reignite his interest ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
    Sheffield United currently sit 18th in the Premier League table, four points adrift of Luton.
    King already has plenty of experience playing in England.
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    He signed for Man Utd at the age of 16 and spent five years at the club, making just two appearances.
    The striker then joined Blackburn on a permanent transfer, but his most prolific period came with Bournemouth.
    He scored 53 goals and provided 19 assists in 184 appearances during his six-year spell with the Cherries.
    King then went on to play for Everton and Watford before joining Fenerbahce last summer. More

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    Chelsea ‘set to cancel two transfer agreements in January’ including forgotten star that could cost them millions

    CHELSEA are reportedly prepared to prematurely recall two on-loan players in January.The Blues sent eight players out on loan ahead of the 2023-24 campaign in a bid to cut down Maurico Pochettino’s bloated squad.
    Diego Moreira joined Chelsea in July but was loaned to LyonCredit: Getty
    Andrey Santos has made just two appearances for Nottingham ForestCredit: Alamy
    Teenagers Diego Moreira and Andrey Santos are among the stars that have temporarily left Stamford Bridge.
    However, both players are expected to return in January – six months earlier than initially planned.
    According to the Standard, Moreira is set to be recalled from Lyon when the upcoming transfer window opens.
    The Portugal Under-21’s international has made just three appearances since joining the Ligue 1 side, playing 75 minutes in total.
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    Chelsea will likely have to pay around £2.5million to bring him back to Stamford Bridge.
    Meanwhile, Santos is also set to return in January.
    The 19-year-old Brazilian has been limited to just two appearances for Nottingham Forest since the start of the season.
    Pochettino is said to be unhappy with his current situation at the City Ground.
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    Chelsea can break the loan arrangement if Santos does not make a certain amount of appearances before January.
    However, his loan options will be limited if he returns due to new FIFA regulations.
    The Blues are expected to send both players out on loan again if they are recalled in a bid to get more first team experience.
    Moreira joined Chelsea on a free transfer from Benfica in July, while Santos signed from Vasco da Gama in January but immediately returned to Brazil on loan until the end of the 2022-23 season. More

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    Erik ten Hag wowed by Man Utd legend’s son and wants to fast-track progress into first team

    ERIK TEN HAG has been left “wowed” by Darren Fletcher’s son Jack, Sun Sport can reveal. The 16-year-old midfielder was promoted by United’s Dutch manager to train with the first team ahead of their clash with Galatasaray. 
    Erik ten Hag has called up Darren Fletcher’s son Jack to first-team trainingCredit: Getty
    Ten Hag wants to ‘fast track’ Jack Fletcher into the first teamCredit: Getty
    Jack is the son of Man Utd technical director Darren FletcherCredit: AFP
    And sources close to the club say Ten Hag is keen to “fast-track” Fletcher’s progress.
    Our source said: “Erik Ten Hag has been watching Jack closely for several months now and has been really impressed. He thinks he has huge potential which is why he decided to promote him to train with the first team last week. 
    “Ten Hag is now working with his staff to put a plan in place to try and develop and fast-track Jack’s progress. 
    “He is likely to go out on loan next season but Erik believes, in the long term, he has a massive future at United. He’s been wowed by his attitude, and his maturity and – thinks he is the latest in an exciting crop of talent to be coming through at United.”
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    The 16-year-old, who was the only Under-18 representative in the group, joined United from rivals Manchester City earlier this year.
    Jack joined alongside his twin Tyler, and the pair are sons of United technical director Darren.
    While Jack was not selected as part of the travelling party to Istanbul, he’ll be buoyed to have been selected to train with the first team.
    Kobbie Mainoo made a sensational Premier League full debut for United against Everton on Sunday at the age of 18.
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    And Alejandro Garnacho, 19, scored a stunning overhead kick at Goodison Park and also emerged from United’s academy.
    Meanwhile, Sun Online can reveal Ten Hag remains confident United can still have a “brilliant season” despite their European future hanging in the balance. 

    Our source added: “Spirits remain high. United’s form of late has been good and they still think they can get out of the group, and go on to have a brilliant season.
    “New editions will also come in in January which will give the squad and the club a much needed boost.” More

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    New book reveals how Lionel Messi ‘pleaded with Pep Guardiola for Man City transfer before receiving brutal response’

    LIONEL MESSI supposedly met with Pep Guardiola about joining Manchester City in 2020.The Argentine legend had a meeting with him a year before his Barcelona deal was set to end.
    A reunion between Messi and Guardiola at Man City was turned down by the managerCredit: AFP
    Messi eventually ended up signing for PSG when his contract expired – but discussions took place over a move to the Premier League.
    A new book named “God Save Pep” written by Marti Perarnau, who has previously been given behind-the-scenes access to write about Guardiola, has made the claims.
    It states that Messi texted his friend Sergio Aguero and asked how long the manager plans to stay at Man City.
    It reportedly led to the World Cup winner contacting his old boss and they scheduled a meeting at his house in Barcelona.
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    Messi was told about the tough training sessions at City and he was also warned about the rainy British climate.
    The book claims Guardiola said: “In Manchester we train very hard and I make long tactical talks. Maybe you’ll get bored.”
    But Messi was still keen to join the club as he reportedly pleaded: “I will train hard, I’m not worried. I will put up with everything you do.
    Although it proved not enough to convince the Spaniard over a reunion.
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    Guardiola apparently replied: “Leo, we have grown older. Maybe we can’t stand each other anymore.”
    Messi stayed for just two seasons at PSG before joining Inter Miami in July. More

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    Fans say ‘this can’t be a thing?’ as Golden AGENT award is given to rep at centre of Chelsea and Liverpool transfer war

    FOOTBALL fans are baffled after after it was announced Ali Barat will receive the Golden Agent Award for brokering Moises Caicedo’s £115million move to Chelsea.Barat, owner of the company EPIC Sports who also represent Blues forward Nicolas Jackson, represented Caicedo as he sought a way out of Brighton in the summer.
    Ali Barat was announced as the winner of the Golden Agent Award
    He has been given the honour for brokering Moises Caicedo’s move to ChelseaCredit: X
    It initially looked as though he was going to join Liverpool after the Seagulls agreed a £111m fee for the midfielder, 22, in the summer.
    But he then opted against joining the Anfield outfit, before Barat helped get a £115m deal over the line with Chelsea.
    Barat will receive the Golden Agent Award in Turin on Monday at a ceremony that will also see Jude Bellingham claim the Golden Boy honour.
    Reacting to being named the winning agent, Barat said: “I am proud and honored to receive the Golden Agent award 2023, representing this fantastic team.
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    “On behalf of Epic Sports, I would like to thank Tuttosport, in particular Massimo Franchi and the whole organization of the Golden Boy Awards, for rewarding our passion, commitment and results.
    “I can’t wait to share our excitement and gratitude with all of you. See you in Turin!”
    But football fans have trashed the idea of an agent receiving such an honour.
    And they took to social media to air their strong views.
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    Caicedo joined Chelsea in the summer in a deal worth £115millionCredit: Getty
    One said: “Is this a real award ? I mean how hard can it be maybe a few phone calls and getting Chelsea to part with £100m?”
    Another added: “Getting an award for sending his player to a complete mess 😂🤦🏻‍♂️.”
    A third replied: “That can’t seriously be a thing, can it?”
    While a fourth responded: “Next awards given for worst VAR decisions 😄😁.”
    Caicedo has made 14 appearances for Chelsea since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
    He is yet to register a goal contribution, but has started seven of the Blues’ last eight Premier League matches. More

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    Newcastle star Fabian Schar hints at career change as he takes on major new role with contract expiring next summer

    NEWCASTLE star Fabian Schar is set to swap the dressing room for the boardroom… after becoming a director of Swiss club FC Wil.The central defender began his career with the second-tier outfit, based in his hometown.
    Fabian Schar is the director of Wil, where he started his career before moving to NewcastleCredit: Getty
    Newcastle ace Schar’s contract runs out in JuneCredit: Getty
    Schar spent 13 years with Wil before landing a move to FC Basel in 2012.
    Newcastle signed him from Deportivo La Coruna in 2018, and he has since made over 150 Toon appearances.
    The 31-year-old will be out of contract next summer.
    Wil officials voted Schar onto the northeastern club’s board on Tuesday.
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    The defender said: “FC Wil are the club of my childhood, youth and lifeblood.
    “Being now able to help shape their strategy is perfect preparation for life after my playing career.
    “I will try to bring my sporting knowledge to the club to help it progress.
    “I’ve seen and experienced a lot in football, and will try to pass on the benefit of my experience.
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    “I’m happy to be a part of FC Wil once more.  It is my home town, and this means a lot.
    “I used to stand behind the goal as a fan, and it’s wonderful to be part of the club again.
    “I love football, and hope to keep active as long as possible.  I am proud of my playing career.
    “Could I end it with Wil?  I don’t know whether that would be possible alongside being a director.
    “But I’ve learned things don’t turn out as you expect in football.  So I’ll take it a day at a time, and see where I end up.”
    Schar has won 78 Switzerland caps, and has also played for German club Hoffenheim. More

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    I’m a former Chelsea star – Victor Osimhen will be kicking himself if he joins Blues in January transfer

    FORMER Chelsea star Glen Johnson has shared his thoughts on the Blues’ top transfer target Victor Osimhen.According to the ex-right-back the Napoli star “will be kicking himself” if he made a move to Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window.
    Glen Johnson shared his thoughts on Chelsea’s transfer top pick Victor OsimhenCredit: Getty
    Johnson thinks Osimhen ‘will be kicking himself’ if he moved to Chelsea in JanuaryCredit: Alamy
    Blues chief Todd Boehly is itching to strengthen his frontline and Napoli’s Osimhen is reportedly at the top of his transfer wishlist.
    The 24-year-old is said to be available in the January transfer window.
    But ex-Blues star Johnson believes Europe’s most sought-after striker might not want to move to West London just yet.
    In an interview with GGRecon he said: “Regardless of what’s happening at Napoli, I believe Victor would want to join Chelsea anyway.
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    “However, Victor will be kicking himself that this move could happen when Chelsea are currently in transition.
    “Of course they’re a big team and they’re going to bounce back eventually.
    “But as long as Victor is willing to wait 18 months or so for that to happen, then I’m sure he’d still want to sign for them in January.”
    Mauricio Pochettino’s squad’s struggles go on as they faced a 4-1 defeat against Newcastle on Saturday.
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    They currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, 14 points adrift of top spot.
    And the former Liverpool defender thinks a move to Chelsea could hinder Osimhen’s terrific form.
    The Nigeria international scored 31 goals across all competitions last season and has already scored six goals in 11 appearances this term.
    Johnson continued: “It’s tough for strikers to move to struggling sides and start banging in the goals straight away; that’s difficult for anyone to do.
    “For example, if Erling Haaland joined Chelsea in January, he wouldn’t score the same amount of goals he’s scoring now.
    “It’s hard to assume that Victor’s going to start banging in goals from day one, if the move happens.
    “But I think he will score goals in the Premier League and the league will suit him.”
    And the Serie A champions will likely demand £120million for him.
    Chelsea has already spent £1billion since Boehly took over in May 2022.
    Should Chelsea complete a deal to sign Osimhen, he will become the most expensive player in the Premier League.
    Johnson added: “I think Chelsea needs to sign a new striker, but not one that’s going to make them break the bank.
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    “We haven’t seen Nkunku play yet and that’s obviously because he’s had a big injury.
    “So as long as that doesn’t present any repercussions for him, then hopefully he can be the player that they signed him to be.” More

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    Arsenal and Liverpool ‘exploring’ stunning Kylian Mbappe transfer with PSG star available for free in summer

    ARSENAL and Liverpool are both exploring the possibility of signing Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.The 24-year-old’s current contract with Paris Saint-Germain is set to expire in June, meaning he will become a free agent if he decides against renewing.
    Arsenal and Liverpool are considering the possibility of signing Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty
    Mbappe can start negotiating terms with other clubs from January 1, with several European sides already understood to be interested.
    And according to the Daily Record, Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool are among his potential suitors.
    Both clubs are said to be “exploring the financial and sporting parameters involved” in signing the Frenchman.
    Mikel Arteta is eager to bring a new striker to the Emirates Stadium as he looks to guide Arsenal to their first league title in 20 years.
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    The Gunners have already been linked with a move for Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen ahead of the January transfer window.
    Meanwhile, Liverpool are long-term admirers of Mbappe, with Jurgen Klopp a known fan.
    Real Madrid have also held an interest in him for several years.
    Los Blancos came close to signing him in the summer of 2022, but he shocked the world by penning a two-year extension with PSG instead.
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    Mbappe has scored 14 goals in 12 Ligue 1 games so far this season
    The forward turned down a world-record offer from Al-Hilal this summer after the Saudi Pro League side had a £259million bid accepted.
    Mbappe was subsequently sent to train with PSG’s “undesirables” – a group of senior players that were transfer listed by the club prior to deadline day.
    However, he made a quick return to the first team and has since scored 17 goals in 17 appearances across all competitions this season. More