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    David Moyes gives update on Jesse Lingard future after confirming ex-Man Utd star is training with West Ham

    DAVID MOYES says he will give Jesse Lingard “every opportunity” to get fit and earn a contract at West Ham.The former Manchester United star is currently a free agent after his contract with Nottingham Forest expired at the end of last season.
    Jesse Lingard has been training with the Hammers recentlyCredit: Alamy
    David Moyes has given an update on West Ham potentially signing himCredit: Getty
    The 30-year-old has been training with The Hammers and is said to have impressed during his time with the club so far.
    Lingard spent time on loan at the London Stadium during the 2020-21 campaign – scoring nine goals in 16 appearances.
    The midfielder returned to parent club Manchester United that summer before joining Nottingham Forest in 2022 – despite interest from West Ham.
    But last season’s exploits with Forest didn’t see the former England International reach the heights of his West Ham loan spell.
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    Lingard struggled to stay fit and when he did he was rarely picked by Tricky Trees boss Steve Cooper.
    He featured just 17 times in the league all season and failed to put up any numbers when it came to goals and assists.
    Speaking on TalkSPORT, West Ham boss Moyes hinted at the prospect of Lingard earning a contract.
    He said: “Jesse has trained with us for three weeks and he’s improved greatly from when he first came in.
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    “He’s in really good condition – much better condition than he was when he first came in.”
    Lingard’s short spell for the Irons assisted the East London side to finish sixth making the cut for the Europa League.
    Moyes continued: “I have to say, when Jesse joined us two years ago I think he scored nine goals in 15 games and was probably the difference between us getting into Europe for the first time.
    “I want to give him every opportunity to get himself back in condition and see how he does.
    “So there’s no real update on it at the moment, just to say that he’s back and getting much closer to the levels of fitness where you’d hope he would be.”
    The Scotsman will be hoping that a spell in East London can help Lingard return to his imperious form of 2021.
    The Europa Conference champs are unbeaten in four Premier League games this season with their next game against last season’s treble winners Man City this Saturday. More

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    Arsenal starlet who once infuriated Thomas Partey agrees Middle East transfer as fans moan ‘another talent lost’

    ARSENAL youngster Tim Akinola has left North London to sign for Qatari side Al-Bidda.The 22-year-old leaves the Gunners having failed to make a first-team appearance for Mikel Arteta’s men.
    Tim Akinola was a regular for Arsenal’s Under-21sCredit: Getty
    Akinola did train with the first team on occasion, however, and even upset senior player Thomas Partey.
    During a session in November 2021, Akinola reportedly went flying into a 50-50 challenge with the Ghanaian.
    Partey is claimed to have initially reacted angrily towards the over-exuberant youngster.
    But the 30-year-old’s stance later softened, going on to describe Akinola as the “strongest” player he’d played with.
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    The midfielder joined Arsenal from Huddersfield in the summer of 2020.
    He became a regular for the Gunners’ Under-21s, and twice went out on loan.
    Akinola played one game for Dundee United in 2022.
    He then featured 31 times for National League side Chesterfield last term.
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    Arsenal chiefs approved a move to Qatar for Akinola.
    Al-Bidda play in the Qatari second tier and are based in Doha.
    Some Arsenal fans were upset to see Akinola go.
    One tweeted: “Another talent gone.”
    While a second wrote: “Talents are finished in England.”
    A third pointed out: “Arsenal keeps on selling their youngsters.”
    Another added: “Best of luck to Tim Akinola at his new club! He is a talented player and I am sure he will be a success.”
    Academy graduates Folarin Balogun and Ainsley Maitland-Niles left the Emirates over the summer.
    While fellow youngsters Marcelo Flores, Ryan Alebiosu, Matt Smith and Nikolaj Moller also departed.
    Folarin Balogun left Arsenal during the summer transfer windowCredit: Getty More

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    Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies lined up for major transfer to European rivals

    ALPHONSO DAVIES is reportedly being lined up for a transfer to European giants Real Madrid. The Bayern Munich star is Carlo Ancelotti’s primary target for next year’s summer transfer window.
    Real Madrid are lined up to steal Alphonso Davies next summerCredit: Getty
    The 22-year-old has become one of the best young left-backs in football.
    Davies burst onto the scene in the MLS with Vancouver Whitecaps before his record-breaking transfer to Bayern Munich in 2018.
    Within a year the Candian had established himself as a first-team regular and has progressed to be among the world’s top left-backs – known for his blistering pace, dribbling and crossing ability.
    He has had a remarkable start for the Bundesliga side scoring eight goals in 156 appearances.
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    Davies has also picked up some silverware along the way winning five Bundesliga titles and the Champions League in 2020.
    He scored Canada’s first World Cup goal ever at Qatar 2022, putting his penalty miss disappointment behind him from the first match to head in against Croatia.
    The left-back’s success has led to transfer attention and Spanish outlet Marca claim Davies has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.
    Ancelotti is on the hunt to bolster his defence as Ferland Mendy’s calf injury means his future at the club is uncertain, the report claims.
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    However, it is believed Real Madrid will wait until summer 2024 to try and sign the full-back.
    Davies previously revealed he struggles with loneliness in Germany meaning a move to the Spanish capital could be something that appeals to the star.
    Davies’s contract with the Bavarian side does not come to an end until June 2025.
    Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel may be reluctant to let his star player go.
    But if Davies does depart next summer he would join new Real Madrid youngsters Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Jude Bellingham. More

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    Van de Beek attracting transfer interest from two clubs with Man Utd outcast offered last-minute career lifeline

    MANCHESTER UNITED outcast Donny van de Beek could seal a move away from Old Trafford this week with two clubs showing genuine interest, according to reports.The 26-year-old has not made a competitive appearance for the Red Devils since January.
    Van de Beek could leave United on loan this weekCredit: Getty
    He spent the second half of the 2022-23 campaign on the sidelines with a knee injury and has since fallen down the pecking order.
    Erik ten Hag allegedly has no plans to re-introduce him to the first team squad, so club officials are now looking to facilitate a transfer.
    And according to football journalist Nicolo Schira, two Turkish clubs have expressed an interest in signing Van de Beek on loan.
    Although the two clubs have not been named by Schira, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce have both previously been linked with a swoop for the midfielder.
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    The Turkish Super Lig transfer window closes on Friday, meaning a deal will have to be struck this week.
    Van de Beek joined Man Utd in a £39million transfer from Ajax in 2020.
    He has made just 60 first team appearances and provided two goals and two assists.
    Ten Hag has now cut him out of the squad altogether.
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    Van de Beek was snubbed from Man Utd’s 25-man squad for the Champions League last week.
    And he is yet to be named in the Premier League squad this season. More

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    Chelsea failed in last-gasp transfer bid for Marco Verratti with PSG midfielder set to join new club in coming days

    CHELSEA failed with a late attempt to sign Marco Verratti and the PSG star is now set to join a new club, according to reports.The midfielder has spent 11 years in the French capital but PSG are ready to cash in.
    Marco Verratti is set to join Al-ArabiCredit: Getty
    Verratti, 30, was chased by multiple high profile European clubs this summer but is now closing in on a move to Qatar.
    The Italian has agreed personal terms with Al-Arabi ahead of a £38million switch, per Fabrizio Romano.
    He has travelled to the Middle East to finalise the transfer, which will include passing a medical.
    It is a blow for Chelsea who had tried to sign Verratti on loan, according to L’Equipe.
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    Their offer was rejected by PSG who only wanted a permanent transfer.
    Bayern Munich’s efforts to sign Verratti on loan were thwarted for the same reason.
    While Barcelona were also keen to add the Euro 2020 winner to their ranks but could not afford to stump up a substantial transfer fee.
    Manchester United were also linked with a surprise move late in the transfer window.
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    But Verratti was always expected to move to the Middle East, with Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ahli favourites for his signature.
    Verratti made 416 appearances for PSG and won Ligue Un nine times, and finished as a runner-up in the Champions League in 2020. More

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    Man Utd target says it’s ‘great’ to hear of transfer interest but Red Devils face competition from Barcelona

    VANDERSON has revealed that he would love to play in the Premier League amid “cool” links with Manchester United.The 22-year-old right back is one of the most sought-after young players in Europe.
    Vanderson admits it’s ‘cool’ to be linked with ‘big clubs’Credit: Getty
    Vanderson joined Monaco in a £9.5million transfer from Brazilian side Gremio last year, but he is already being monitored by both Man Utd and Barcelona.
    And although he has four years remaining on his current contract with the Red and Whites, the Brazilian has started looking to the future.
    Speaking to Trivela while on international duty earlier this week, Vanderson said: “It’s cool. Knowing that even if it’s nothing definitive, knowing that the work is recognised, even if it’s not so official, but it’s cool.
    “The biggest clubs in the world, everyone knows. It’s great to know that your name is mentioned in big clubs.”
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    And when asked if he would like to play in the Premier League one day, the Brazilian added: “Yeah. It’s a great league. Everybody knows.
    “I have goals of maybe after a great career here at Monaco, a change too.”
    Vanderson – who is said to be valued at £52million – was heavily linked with a move to Man Utd throughout the summer transfer window, but a deal failed to materialise.
    The Red Devils signed seven players before the window slammed shut last week.
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    Mason Mount was the first to make the switch to Old Trafford after completing a £60m move from Chelsea.
    Andre Onana followed from Inter Milan before Rasmus Hojlund joined in a £72m move from Atalanta.
    United then finalised last-minute deals for Altay Bayindir, Sergio Reguilon, Sofyan Amrabat and Jonny Evans on deadline day. More

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    Real Madrid lining up shock transfer move for Man City striker as LaLiga giants eye alternatives to Kylian Mbappe

    REAL MADRID are interested in making a shock move for Manchester City star Julian Alvarez, according to reports.Carlo Ancelotti’s side are exploring the striker market after losing Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League this summer.
    Julian Alvarez has impressed for Manchester CityCredit: Getty
    The Frenchman signed for Al-Ittihad, leaving a significant gap up front for Real Madrid.
    Ancelotti and Co opted not to go big for a striker this summer, instead landing former Stoke and Newcastle flop Joselu on loan from Espanyol.
    While the Italian is currently content with his options, the Spanish giants are expected to recruit a star forward next year.
    Real Madrid have long been linked with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe.
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    They are expected to finally get a deal over the line for the 24-year-old next summer, with his PSG contract set to expire.
    But having been in this position with Mbappe before only to see a move fall through, Real Madrid chiefs are exploring alternative options just in case.
    According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Man City star Alvarez is on Real’s radar.
    They claim that he could emerge as a key target for Ancelotti’s side, should they fail to land Mbappe.
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    Alvarez, 23, has excelled since moving to the Etihad – despite having to compete with Erling Haaland up top.
    He netted 17 goals in all competitions last season, helping City to the Treble while also winning the World Cup with Argentina.
    Manager Pep Guardiola won’t want to lose Alvarez, who has started all four of City’s Premier League matches this term thus far.
    In the absence of a top striker, Real Madrid have been relying on Jude Bellingham for goals so far this season.
    The England star has scored five times in his first four matches for his new side, with his manager setting him a goals target.
    Ancelotti said: “He can reach 15 goals without a problem. He moves very well and that’s why he scores so many goals.
    “He’s a player who learns very quickly, we don’t have to tell him things too many times.”
    Jude Bellingham has had a sensational start to life at Real MadridCredit: Rex More

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    I’m a Premier League winner – I was jailed on the night before my record transfer and feared move would be cancelled

    CHRIS SUTTON was once the most expensive Premier League signing in history – but he almost scuppered the deal after being arrested. The former England international was on the brink of joining Blackburn from Norwich in 1994.
    Chris Sutton joined Blackburn for £5mCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    And to celebrate the deal, Sutton went out for some farewell drink with his team-mates.
    But after one too many led to a drunken crash, Sutton found himself nicked and fearing his dream transfer would collapse.
    He told FourFourTwo: “I’d gone out for a drink with Bryan Gunn and a few of the others, and ended up driving into this convertible car.
    “I bent the indicator of it a bit and got arrested – banged up.
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    “I was worried about the move collapsing and Kenny Dalglish pulling the plug on the deal.”
    Thankfully for Sutton, he was released and the next day he joined Dalglish’s Blackburn for a then-record £5m deal.
    And he joked the only man he feared more than his former manager was his dad Mike.
    He joked: Worse than that, though, I was thinking: ‘My dad is going to mad’… And he did.”
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    Sutton went on to help Blackburn lift the title in his first season, scoring 15 goals alongside Alan Shearer.
    But just four years later, the club suffered a sad decline and were relegated in 1999.
    Sutton would subsequently leave for Chelsea while Shearer had already joined boyhood club Newcastle two seasons earlier.
    The forward retired in 2007 after an eye injury but in 2012 he came on as a sub for his one and only game for non-league side Wroxham.
    Sutton had a brief managerial run with Lincoln City for one season in 2009 and has since worked in punditry.
    Chris Sutton is now a football punditCredit: Willie Vass More