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

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      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

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      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

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      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

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      Man Utd fans not sure how to feel as club ‘join Newcastle and Aston Villa in transfer race for £43m Juventus star’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly joined the race to sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus.The Italian winger has been strongly linked with a move once the January transfer window opens.
      Manchester United have joined the race to sign Federico ChiesaCredit: Getty
      He is a long-term United target and could now be on his way to Old Trafford.
      According to Calciomercato, the Red Devils are one of four clubs chasing a deal to sign Chiesa.
      Newcastle, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich are also interested in the 25-year-old, who is valued at £43million by Juventus.
      However, the news of United’s interest has split opinions amongst supporters.
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      Whilst some see the asking price as a good deal, others are concerned by Chiesa’s injury record.
      “Not a bad price at all given his potential,” wrote one fan on X, formerly Twitter.
      Another added: “He’s a good player but very injury prone.”
      A third supporter also commented: “That’s cheap for a player of his calibre.”
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      Meanwhile, one more fan argued: “Good player but injury prone.”
      Chiesa, who has two years left on his current Juve deal, has scored four goals and provided an assist in seven Serie A matches this term.
      However, he is currently sidelined with a muscle problem for the second time since the start of September.
      He also endured an injury hit 2022/23 season, missing 12 matches after returning from a ruptured ACL in November last year.
      The former Fiorentina man’s injury woes have not prevented him from being linked with United, though.
      Chiesa has been tipped as a possible replacement for Jadon Sancho, who has been exiled from the first-team by Erik ten Hag.
      United’s interest in the winger comes after he was linked with a summer move to the Premier League back in June. More

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      Arsenal star Jurrien Timber’s highly-rated brother ‘wanted by four Premier League clubs’ after stunning start to season

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      ARSENAL star Jurrien Timber’s twin brother Quinten is being chased by a gaggle of Premier League clubs, according to reports.The defender signed for the Gunners from Ajax in a deal worth around £40million back in July.
      Jurrien and Quinten Timber played for Dutch rivals Ajax and Feyenoord last seasonCredit: Getty
      Quinten Timber has had a brilliant start to the season for FeyenoordCredit: Rex
      Quinten, meanwhile, has played for Ajax’s fierce rivals Feyenoord since 2022.
      The 22-year-old’s stunning start to the season for Arne Slot’s side has attracted interest from a number of top clubs across Europe.
      According to 90min, Manchester United are among the teams keen on signing the midfielder.
      Erik ten Hag worked with his brother Jurrien at Ajax and tried to sign the full-back before being gazumped by Arsenal.
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      In addition to the Red Devils, Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham are claimed to have taken an interest in Quinten.
      Arsenal scouts are said to have been impressed by his performances for Feyenoord this term.
      Should they pursue their interest, the Gunners could look to Jurrien to convince his sibling to join.
      Quinten has previously spoken of his desire to play with his brother in the professional ranks.
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      He said: “Yes, for sure. In the future, of course. It would be nice to be able to take such a step.
      “But that, of course, starts today at Feyenoord. This season, I want to show beautiful things. And we will see what the future brings. But that would certainly be nice, yes.”
      Monaco, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli are also claimed to be interested in Quinten.
      As recently as last season, the two brothers still shared a bedroom at their mum’s house.
      Having been planning to move out, Quinten told the NY Times in March: We’ve lived together our whole lives. It will be weird.”
      The Feyenoord star has scored once and grabbed three assists in seven league matches this season.
      Last season he helped his side win the Eredivisie title.
      Jurrien, meanwhile, is set for a long period on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury against Nottingham Forest in Arsenal’s opening Premier League match of the season.
      Jurrien Timber joined Arsenal in JulyCredit: Getty More

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      Forgotten ex-Premier League star, 35, completes shock transfer to non-league club after four years overseas

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      FORMER Norwich and Celtic forward Gary Hooper has signed for non-league side Barnet.The English attacker, 35, left England in 2019 after a three-year spell with Sheffield Wednesday.
      Gary Hooper has returned to England after four years awayCredit: Getty
      He went on to play for Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand, Kerala Blasters in India, Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus and Gulf United in the UAE.
      But now he has returned to the UK with National League outfit Barnet.
      A short statement from the club read: “Barnet FC is delighted to announce that former Celtic and Norwich City forward Gary Hooper is set to join The Bees.
      “The deal is subject to international clearance and more details will be announced in the coming days.”
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      Hooper began his professional career in the non-league with Grays after being let go by Tottenham as a seven-year-old.
      He moved to Championship side Southend in 2006 and spent two seasons with the club, scoring just four goals in 44 games.
      Loan spells with Leyton Orient and Hereford were followed by a permanent move to League One club Scunthorpe where he bagged 50 goals in 95 matches.
      And he helped the third-tier side win the play-offs in 2009 as they earned promotion to the Championship.
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      Those two years at Scunthorpe earned him a move to Celtic where he scored a sensational 82 times in 138 appearances between 2010 and 2013.
      He then returned to England with Premier League side Norwich, scoring eight times in his first season as they were relegated.
      Hooper helped the Canaries secure promotion back to the top tier, but then joined Sheffield Wednesday at the beginning of the 2015/16 campaign.
      He scored 31 goals in 89 games for The Owls. More

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      Andy Carroll hoped he would FAIL his medical before whirlwind £35m deadline day transfer to Liverpool

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      ANDY CARROLL wanted to FAIL his medical before signing for Liverpool on transfer deadline day. The year was 2011 and the Reds were in the process of selling Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50m.
      Andy Carroll wanted to fail his medical before signing for LiverpoolCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Liverpool needed a replacement up front and turned their attention to Carroll, who was in fine form for Newcastle.
      And as Torres completed his switch to Stamford Bridge, Carroll moved to Anfield for £35m.

      But in an interview with L’Équipe, he reflected: “From the moment Liverpool made this incredible bid on deadline day, I found myself in a helicopter, without really understanding why.
      “As I was injured, I remember hoping to fail my medical.
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      “This helped me grow up by taking me out of my comfort zone. Because I knew nothing about life and football, apart from Newcastle.“
      Carroll struggled in Merseyside and managed just 11 goals in 58 games before moving to West Ham after just two seasons with Liverpool.
      The England international would struggle with injuries over the years and he now plays his football in France’s second division for Amiens.
      Carroll, now 34, did return to St James Park in 2019 but he only scored two league goals before leaving two years later.
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      He said: “Nothing happened as I hoped it would.
      “The team wasn’t playing well, I wasn’t featuring much and, because of the pandemic.
      “We played games in an empty St James’ Park, which was sad because the club draws all its strength from the fans.”
      Carroll made a return to Newcastle in 2019Credit: Getty More

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      Man Utd eye Everton star who nearly quit because his ‘knees were gone’ in shock transfer after Lisandro Martinez blow

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are monitoring Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite as they hunt for a replacement for injured Lisandro Martinez.Martinez had a second operation on his injured metatarsal on Monday after tests revealed it had not healed correctly.
      Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite is being targeted by Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
      The Argentina defender, 25, had returned to action after initial surgery in April.
      But he experienced pain in his foot against Arsenal last month.
      Martinez then played against Brighton and Bayern Munich before realising it wasn’t getting any better – as United confirmed he would go under the knife again.
      Martinez is now set to be sidelined until the New Year as he tries to overcome the problem once and for all.
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      But, even if Martinez returns before then, his injury woes will force United into the market for a new centre-back in the January transfer window.
      Toffees star Branthwaite is reported to be on Erik ten Hag’s radar, according to the Daily Mail.
      But the defender, 21, has had his own share of injury concerns.
      Branthwaite earlier this year opened up about suffering from a growing pains condition called Osgood-Schlatter.
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      And he admitted that he almost quit football at 16 as “his knees were gone.”
      Harry Maguire’s future at the club remains in doubt while Raphael Varane’s fitness record means more depth is required.
      The Everton ace will join Antonio Silva of Benfica, Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba on the Red Devils centre-back shortlist.
      Branthwaite had a stellar season on loan from Everton at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven last term.
      PSV wanted to buy him in a permanent deal this term, while Manchester City have been among the English clubs also keeping an eye on his progress.
      Branthwaite is in talks with Everton over a new contract, but that is unlikely to deter interest in the player if he continues to shine. More