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    Napoli ‘target Arsenal striker’ as one of three potential transfers to replace unhappy hitman Victor Osimhen

    NAPOLI are targeting Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus as a potential replacement for Victor Osimhen, according to reports.The Brazilian is one of three potential signings identified by the Serie A champions.
    Napoli are targeting a move for Gabriel JesusCredit: Getty
    Jesus is one of three potential replacements for Victor OsimhenCredit: Getty
    Osimhen could leave Napoli before his contract expires in 2025 and has been linked with a move to Chelsea.
    With his future at the club in doubt, Napoli have drawn up a shortlist of targets to replace him.
    According to Calciomercato, Jesus is one of three players the club are tracking.
    Alvaro Morata and Jonathan David are also of interest, should Osimhen depart.
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    The 24-year-old won the Serie A golden boot last season after scoring 26 goals as Napoli won their first title since 1990.
    So far this term, he has scored five goals in seven league appearances.
    As for Jesus, the former Manchester City man was on the scoresheet for Arsenal in midweek.
    He scored for the Gunners as they fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Lens in the Champions League.
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    Jesus’ strike took his tally for the season to three in eight matches across all competitions.
    Having only arrived at the Emirates Stadium last summer, Jesus still has over three years remaining on his current deal.
    Meanwhile, Morata and David are out of contract in 2024 and 2025, respectively. More

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    In-form Sunderland winger Jack Clarke in line for huge £15m Premier League transfer a year after Spurs exit

    BRENTFORD are keeping tabs on Sunderland wing wizard Jack Clarke.The 22-year-old is having a stellar season in the Championship.
    Brentford are eyeing a £15m move for Sunderland winger Jack ClarkeCredit: Rex
    Clarke has hit seven goals in just 10 games for Sunderland, just one year after leaving Tottenham.
    And Brentford are monitoring Clarke after struggling for form in the new campaign.
    The Bees have won just one Premier League match.
    They threw away victory at Man United with just minutes left as Scott McTominay netted a late double.
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    SunSport exclusively revealed Brentford’s interest in Clarke earlier this year.
    And the Bees could now put in a £15million bid for the star in January.
    They will be even more keen on doing a deal if they get offers for winger Keane Lewis-Potter.
    The former Hull man has been beset by injury problems during his time in London.
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    Lewis-Potter missed Saturday’s defeat at Old Trafford with a knock.
    Former side Hull were linked with a move for him last winter.
    Lewis-Potter has made just 14 league appearances for Brentford since his move from Humberside in 2022.
    And his role in Thomas Frank’s squad could be diminished should a move for Clarke arise. More

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    Newcastle to make new bid to sign Blackburn wonderkid, 19, but face four-horse Premier League transfer race

    NEWCASTLE will make a second bid to sign Blackburn’s teen midfield wizard Adam Wharton in the next window.Top Toon spy Steve Nickson watched him in action last week and hopes to persuade him that he would be part of their first-team plans quickly.
    Newcastle will come back for Blackburn wonderkid Adam Wharton in JanuaryCredit: Getty
    Wharton, 19, was courted by the Magpies in the summer but was not keen because they initially planned to put him in their European Under-21 squad.
    Crystal Palace, Brighton and Everton all fancy Wharton and are expected to make a serious attempt for him in the New Year.
    The Toffees were determined to sign the midfielder during the summer transfer window.
    In fact, manager Sean Dyche was prepared to let striker Ellis Simms go as part of the deal but Blackburn would rather have cash.
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    Newcastle have already boosted their midfield’s long-term future by renewing Bruno Guimaraes’ contract.
    The Magpies have just tied Bruno to a new five-year contract until 2028.
    The Toon have also ward off the Brazil international’s admirers by adding a staggering £100million release clause to his deal.
    And any potential suitors would have to force Newcastle to a record sale if they wish to land the 25-year-old.
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    The Brazilian has previously attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid as well as Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea.
    This comes after Bruno revealed in July that there were “doubts” over a contract extension.
    The former Lyon star also recently admitted he had held “conversations” with Real, but is ultimately staying put at St James’ Park. More

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    Jadon Sancho set for transfer lifeline from Euro giants – if Man Utd fork out HALF of star’s £350,000-a-week wages

    JUVENTUS plan to hand Jadon Sancho an escape route from Old Trafford – and could turn it into a permanent £60million deal next summer.The Italians are keen to sign the dumped Manchester United winger on loan in January, before a potential full-time move at the end of the season.
    Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho is being targeted by JuventusCredit: Getty
    Juventus would sign Sancho if Man Utd cover part of his salaryCredit: Getty
    They hope United will agree to paying half of Sancho’s wages if he goes, knowing the Reds are keen to put him in the shop window.
    Sancho has been out in the cold since falling out with Erik ten Hag when he was left out of the squad for the trip to Arsenal at the start of September.
    Manager Ten Hag insists he was dropped because of poor performances in training – yet the player claimed on social media that he was being made a scapegoat.
    He has been training away from the first team after refusing to apologise, and his Old Trafford career is almost certainly over.
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    Borussia Dortmund were initial favourites to sign Sancho, who spent four years with the Germans before his £73m move to Manchester in 2021.
    But sources claim he is not keen on going back to his former club, and rebuilding his career in Serie A holds greater appeal.
    United know they will end up taking a financial hit, but he is so far out of the picture that it now looks the only option.
    Meanwhile, Old Trafford bosses plan to trigger Victor Lindelof’s 12-month contract clause next month.
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    Ten Hag has been impressed by Lindelof’s attitude in regaining his first team slot, and knows AC Milan and Juventus are both keen.
    The Swedish centre-back has yet to decide on his long-term future at the club.
    But with his contract up in the summer, United will trigger the extension, to ensure they don’t lose him for nothing if he does leave. More

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    Bruno Guimaraes signs five-year contract at Newcastle with eye-watering release clause to ward off admirers

    NEWCASTLE have tied star man Bruno Guimaraes to a new five-year contract. The Magpies have also ward off Bruno’s admirers by adding a staggering £100million release clause to his deal.
    Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes has signed a new five-year contractCredit: Rex
    Newcastle added a £100million release clause to Bruno’s dealCredit: Getty
    According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the midfielder put pen to paper and extended his stay at St James’ Park until 2028.
    And any potential suitors would have to force the Toon to a record sale if they wish to land the 25-year-old.
    The Brazil international has previously attracted interest from the likes of Real Madrid as well as Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea.
    This comes after Bruno revealed in July that there were “doubts” over an extension.
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    The former Lyon star also admitted he had held “conversations” with Real.
    The Reds and the Blues are also believed to have enquired over the summer, only to be told that the Samba star is not for sale.
    Los Blancos went on to sign Jude Bellingham for an eye-watering £115million sum from Borussia Dortmund, which made him the most expensive British player of all time.
    Plus Real manager Carlo Ancelotti has the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni at his disposal.
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    Chelsea, on the other hand, landed Moises Caicedo for a Premier League record £115m from Brighton.
    That was just seven months after Enzo Fernandez’s £107m move to Stamford Bridge.
    Liverpool, though, could come back for a defensive midfielder with Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic their best choice at No6. More

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    Chelsea and Liverpool to fight Man Utd for £80m-rated striker who has ‘unusual release clause’

    CHELSEA and Liverpool are reportedly ready to go head to head in a battle to sign a new £80m-rated striker alongside Man United.The Premier League giants are all said to be keen on securing the services of RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda.
    Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly set to battle Man United in their pursuit for Lois OpendaCredit: Getty
    According to BILD journalist Christian Falk, Liverpool are looking to try and sign the 23-year-old after their success in signing Dominik Szoboszlai from Leipzig this summer.
    But the Reds will face competition for his signature as Chelsea have also been linked with the Belgium international.
    Fichajes have reported that the Stamford Bridge outfit are keen on signing Openda as they look to put an end to their striker woes.
    The Blues have had issues finding the right centre forward for their squad in recent seasons, but Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be keen on the idea of bring Openda to London in January.
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    Openda has bagged four goals in just six Bundesliga appearances this season and is rumoured to be valued at around £80m by Leipzig who know the talent they have on their hands.
    The forward joined the Germans this summer from RC Lens after he helped the Ligue 1 side come within just one point of PSG in the league last season.
    But despite only just coming through the door at Red Bull Arena, he could be snatched away with reports of a release clause in his contract.
    It is said that a release clause worth more than £65m has been inserted into his current deal but unusually, it won’t become active until 2025.
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    This would mean that if Chelsea and Liverpool are keen on signing the rising star any sooner than 2025, then they may have to pay over the odds to get a deal over the line.
    On top of this they could face even more competition in their pursuit with Fichajes also suggesting Manchester United are eyeing the former Club Brugge man.
    Erik ten Hag and Man United are keeping a keen eye on OpendaCredit: EPA More

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    Barcelona ‘lining up sensational loan return for Lionel Messi in January’ but it depends on Inter Miami’s fate

    LIONEL MESSI could be set for a sensational return to Barcelona in January – but it all depends on Inter Miami’s fate.The 36-year-old Argentina superstar came through the ranks at the Nou Camp to achieve legendary status with the LaLiga club.
    Lionel Messi could make a sensational return to Barcelona this seasonCredit: Getty
    He smashed almost every record going and fired them to ten titles, four Champions League crowns and the Fifa Club World Cup on three occasions.
    However, as the financial implications of the coronavirus pandemic crippled Barcelona, they were unable to afford his contract renewal in 2021.
    Messi did bid an emotional farewell at a press conference after agreeing a switch to Paris Saint-Germain but he never got the opportunity to say goodbye out on the Nou Camp pitch in front of his adoring public.
    Now Spanish publication Sport are claiming that he may finally get that opportunity to get a proper send-off in what would be a magical return this summer.
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    But it all depends on whether his new side Inter Miami makes the Major League Soccer play-offs.
    Messi departed PSG this summer as a free agent but Barcelona were still unable to afford a deal to bring him back.
    He instead jetted off to America to sign for David Beckham’s Inter Miami.
    The forward has made a huge impact so far Stateside as inspired the club to its first-ever piece of silverware in August as they beat Nashville to lift the League Cup.
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    Their league form has also taken a huge upturn, but this fresh report states that Barcelona are considering a loan move for him during the winter window should Inter not make the MLS play-offs.
    Sport claim that no move has been discussed with Beckham’s outfit yet, but it is an option that Barcelona are seriously considering.
    Inter are five points off the play-off places in the Eastern Conference with just three games of the regular season left to go.
    Should they progress, then that could result in them going all the way to the MLS Cup Final, which takes place on December 9.
    And should that scenario occur, then this update says that would scupper Barca’s hopes of luring Messi back.
    They are next in action tonight at home to leaders Cincinnati – but it remains to be seen if Messi will be in action.
    The veteran magician has been sidelined for the last four matches with a scar tissue problem. More

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    World Cup winner unemployed at 35 after failing to earn contract at old club as he’s linked with Premier League return

    WORLD CUP winner Jerome Boateng has been left unemployed after failing to earn a contract with his former club.Boateng, 35, is a free agent after leaving Lyon in the summer.
    Jerome Boateng failed to earn a contract at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
    Boateng won the World Cup with Germany in 2014Credit: Getty
    The German, who has won 27 trophies in his career, had returned to ex-club Bayern Munich for training.
    However, after four days the Bavarians decided against signing the veteran.
    This is despite “excellent training reports”, as reported by Fabrizio Romano.
    With a future at the Allianz Arena ruled out, Boateng’s future could now lie in the Premier League.
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    According to TEAMTALK, Everton held talks with him over a transfer to Goodison Park but were rejected due to Boateng wanting to pursue a return to Bayern.
    But after being turned down by the Bundesliga giants the ex-Manchester City star could change his mind on a Toffees move.
    Boateng has an ongoing legal case over his shoulder.
    In 2019 he was accused of causing grievous bodily harm to a former girlfriend during a holiday to the Carribean. Boateng denies the allegations.
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    His trial did not begin until the autumn 2021, by which time he had joined Lyon after leaving Bayern.
    At the trial, Boateng was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and of insulting his ex, the mother of his twin daughters.
    As a result, Boateng was fined £1.6million (€1.8m), prompting an appeal from Boateng, public prosecutors and the alleged victim.
    This fine was later reduced to £1.4m at a second hearing in October 2022 due to his reduced earnings, though this time the verdict handed Boateng a criminal record.
    The guilty verdict was upheld with the judge saying he was “absolutely satisfied” Boateng had caused GBH.
    But all three parties appealed once again, and the third trial at the Supreme Court of Bavaria last month – where Boateng was seeking acquittal – resulted in the case being annulled.
    The judge cited “far-reaching procedural errors” such as the incorrect interpretation of contradictory evidence and the appeal judge wrongly deciding a challenge of bias by Boateng’s lawyers himself.
    The Supreme Court has ordered a retrial, though this does not mean there will certainly be a trial due to the possibility of settling out of court.
    Jerome Boateng is in an ongoing legal battleCredit: AFP More