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    Erik ten Hag’s ‘dream Man Utd transfer plan’ to bring in three world-class stars KO’d by takeover setback

    MANCHESTER UNITED manager Erik ten Hag has been denied a sensational triple transfer plan after the club’s latest takeover twist.United’s unpopular owners the Glazers have snubbed Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s sixth offer worth more than £6billion in total.
    Sheikh Jassim’s withdrawal from Man Utd’s takeover has affected manager Erik ten HagCredit: Alamy
    Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani was planning to sign Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty
    Sheikh Jassim was also determined to land Bayern Munich star Kingsley ComanCredit: Getty
    Man Utd would have rekindled their interest in Real Madrid ace Eduardo CamavingaCredit: Getty
    Sheikh Jassim’s offer would have included cash to redevelop the facilities, fund an Old Trafford rebuild and clear the existing debt.
    This clears the way for Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is set to buy a 25 per cent stake in the club for £1.4bn with the Glazer family still at the helm after the Qatari bid formally pulled out on Saturday.
    Sheikh Jassim accused United’s owners of demanding an “outlandish” price to sell the club.
    The Red Devils’ chiefs are set to sign off on Ratcliffe’s investment at a board meeting this coming week and the INEOS founder will have control over the football side of things.
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    According to Bild, that will cost Ten Hag some major transfer reinforcement.
    That is because Sheikh Jassim was planning to bring Kylian Mbappe, Kingsley Coman and Eduardo Camavinga to Old Trafford.
    Paris Saint-Germain superstar Mbappe will become a free agent in June and looks set to join Real Madrid.
    However, the Qatari banker was planning to put his billions to good use and steal Mbappe from under Real’s nose.
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    The Sheikh was determined to do the same with the star striker’s France team-mates.
    Coman and Camavinga have a contract with Bayern Munich and Real respectively until 2027.
    Camavinga was previously targeted by United when he still played for Rennes.
    And it now seems like the midfielder will play a key role in Los Blancos’ future with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric stepping aside due to their advanced age. More

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    Vinicius Jr reveals transfer plans as he admits he won’t finish his career at Real Madrid after promise to father

    VINICIUS JUNIOR has named the one club he would leave Real Madrid for because of a promise he made to his father.The Brazilian forward, 23, has established himself as one of the best players in the world at the Bernabeu.
    Vinicius has hinted at a move away from Real Madrid later in his careerCredit: Alamy
    Since joining in 2018, he has scored 62 goals and provided 65 assists in 232 appearances for the Spanish giants.
    He is set to be at Real Madrid for the foreseeable future as his contract does not expire until 2027.
    But he has now revealed he promised his father he would return to Brazilian side Flamengo one day.
    Vinicius came through the club’s academy prior to signing for Real Madrid.
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    Speaking to France Football, the Los Blancos superstar said: “I think I could stay here my whole career, but the club of my life is Flamengo.
    “I promised my father I would go back one day. I have to keep this promise.

    “I love life here in general, and it’s going well for my family too. When my loved ones walk around, they are recognised and they wish us nothing but happiness.
    “Little by little, I discovered this new life, new emotions, a fervour.
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    “Madrid is unique. Everyone around the world tells me about this club. And apart from that, I like it.
    “I’m quite a homebody but we do a lot of activities.”
    Vinicius has continually starred on the pitch for Real Madrid despite receiving racist abuse from opposition fans on numerous occasions.
    He has already won two LaLiga titles, the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
    He has also contributed three goals and three assists in 24 appearances for Brazil. More

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    Mason Greenwood makes Getafe transfer decision after being shipped out by Man Utd on loan

    MASON GREENWOOD is loving life in Spain — and wants to turn his Getafe loan move permanent.The  Manchester United striker headed to LaLiga last month after bosses ruled he could not continue his career at Old Trafford following an investigation into his off-field behaviour.
    Mason Greenwood scored his first goal for Getafe, where he plays on loanCredit: Rex
    Manchester United loanee Greenwood wants to stay at GetafeCredit: Rex
    Greenwood, 22, scored to earn a draw against Celta Vigo last Sunday.
    He later said online: “Happy to score my first goal for Getafe.
    “Amazing team spirit to come away with a point.”
    A source  told SunSport he is hoping to stay at the Madrid-based club for the forseeable future, saying: “The players and fans have all given him a welcome he could only have dreamed of.
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    “He really feared his career was over. Now he’s just so happy and  wants to carry on playing and not think too far ahead.”
    Greenwood was set to be welcomed back into the fold at United before SunSport exclusively reported the club had made a U-turn following backlash from fans.
    The former England international was arrested in January last year following charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control.
    However, all charges were dropped in February by the Crown Prosecution Service.
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    A spokesperson said at that time: “We have a duty to keep cases under continuous review.
    “In this case a combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
    “In these circumstances, we are under a duty to stop the case. We have explained our decision to all parties.
    “We would always encourage any potential victims to come forward and report to police and we will prosecute wherever our legal test is met.” More

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    Liverpool cult hero and Champions League winner who featured in iconic film Goal! wants managerial job in Britain

    EX-LIVERPOOL star Igor Biscan wants a managerial job in Britain.The Croatian played under Gerard Houllier and was recently boss at Dinamo Zagreb.
    Igor Biscan spent five years at Liverpool and won the Champions League in 2005
    Biscan wants to return to Britain to work as a manager after leaving Dinamo Zagreb
    The former midfielder was also on the shortlist for the Rangers role.
    Biscan joined Liverpool in 2000 following a five-year stint at Dinamo, who also sent him out on loan to Samobor in 1995.
    The ex-Croatia international spent five years at Anfield and amassed a total of three goals as well as three assists in 118 appearances with the Reds.
    The 45-year-old also won two League Cups as well as the 2005 Champions League trophy.
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    Biscan remained on the bench that famous night in Istanbul that saw the Merseysiders coming back to draw 3-3 with AC Milan before beating them 3-2 on penalties.
    The Croatian left Liverpool shortly after their historic European triumph and joined Panathinaikos.
    Biscan struggled in Greece and never managed to live up to expectations as a recent European champion.
    That led to his exit in 2007 as he returned to Dinamo a year later.
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    Biscan played for four years in Zagreb until his retirement at the age of 34.
    He also registered a total of 17 appearances with the Croatian national team.
    Biscan has already amassed experience as a manager having coached Rudes, Olimpija Ljubljana, Rijeka, Croatia’s Under-21 side and of course Dinamo.
    The Liverpool hero won the second division in Croatia with Rudes, a double with Slovenian outfit Olimpija, the Croatian Cup with Rijeka and the league with Dinamo.
    Biscan is also remembered for appearing in the famous film Goal! where he played himself along with other football stars, such as David Beckham, Zinedine Zidane and Steven Gerrard. More

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    Crystal Palace ‘braced for club record bid’ from Premier League rivals for Marc Guehi – but Chelsea could hamper deal

    MANCHESTER UNITED could be set to launch a bid for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, according to reports.England star Guehi, 23, has been integral to the Eagles’ back line since he joined from Chelsea in 2021.
    Marc Guehi has become one of Crystal Palace’s most important playersCredit: Rex
    And he is now attracting interest from a big-name Premier League club.
    According to South London Press, Man Utd could make a play for the centre-back in the summer.
    If they are to acquire the defender, it is understood he will cost in excess of the £50million the Red Devils paid for Aaron Wan-Bissaka four years ago.
    That means Palace would receive a club-record fee for Guehi.
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    However, Man Utd face competition from the Palace star’s former club, Chelsea.
    That is because the Blues hold matching rights on any offer Palace accept for their man.
    Guehi has made 91 appearances for the West London club since joining two years ago.
    He has formed an impressive partnership alongside Joachim Andersen.
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    He has also earned six England caps and started both of the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 qualifiers in September.
    He was also included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for this month’s games against Australia and Italy.
    And he would be a welcome addition to Man Utd’s squad.
    Erik ten Hag has suffered injury blows to Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane at the start of the season.
    It has left him relying on Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
    Man Utd have lost six of their opening 11 games in all competitions. More

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    Bruno Guimaraes’ new £120k-a-week Newcastle contract ‘includes secret transfer clause’

    BRUNO GUIMARAES’ new contract at Newcastle is filled with a secret transfer clause, according to reports. The Brazilian put pen to paper on a new deal earlier this month.
    Bruno Guimaraes signed a new deal at Newcastle earlier this monthCredit: Rex
    His deal is said to have a £100m release clause inserted into itCredit: Rex
    Guimaraes signed terms to keep him at St. James’ Park for another five years to 2028.
    The 25-year-old is now said to be earning £120,000 a week after receiving a tidy pay boost for his efforts since joining Newcastle in January 2022.
    It also saw an eye-watering £100million release clause added to his deal.
    However, Spanish outlet Sport claim there is a “secret clause in Barcelona’s favour” inserted into the contract.
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    Barcelona are long-term admirers of Guimaraes but failed to stump up the money while the midfielder was still at Lyon.
    But the clause inserted into his new Toon deal means the cash-strapped giants can exploit a favourable transfer deal.
    The clause itself gives Barcelona the chance to pay a fee under the normal release clause.
    This discount price is said to shave off around £40m from the total fee.
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    The report suggests Barca would need to pay between £56m and £61m to strike a deal.
    However, the club would first need to sell players to make a transfer viable.
    Guimaraes is said to have made no secret of his desire to one day play for Barcelona.
    The midfielder has made himself a fan favourite since arriving, scoring 11 goals and adding eight assists in 68 games.
    Arsenal fans were left convinced they would pay the £100m fee for Guimaraes after he praised compatriot Gabriel Martinelli for his winner against Manchester City. More

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    Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma ‘wanted in life-changing transfer’ after ‘seducing’ Champions League giants

    BRIGHTON star Kaoru Mitoma’s stunning performances have earned him interest from one of Europe’s biggest clubs.Mitoma burst on to the scene last season with seven goals and six assists in 33 appearances in the Premier League.
    Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma has been targeted by BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    Barcelona may bid for Mitoma in the summer with his Brighton deal running out in 2025Credit: Alamy
    The winger is kicking it up a notch this term with three goals and four assists in 11 matches across all competitions.
    According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have been “seduced” by the 26-year-old’s exploits with the Seagulls.
    In fact, Barca’s scouts and staff are most amazed with the Japan international out of all of their other transfer targets.
    Mitoma has won the Blaugrana over thanks to the way he breaks defences from the left wing.
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    And Barcelona manager Xavi lacks firepower on that side of the field with full-back Alejandro Balde having to do the heavy lifting in LaLiga and the Champions League.
    The Spanish tactician has plenty of choices for the right wing with the likes of Raphinha , Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal available.
    But the Spanish champions are confident Mitoma is their answer for the left.
    However, a move in January is highly unlikely as the Japanese star’s contract runs out in 2025.
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    But a summer bid is very possible, especially if Mitoma doesn’t pen fresh terms with Brighton.
    That would force Roberto De Zerbi’s side to discuss a deal as they would lose him for free the year after.
    Nevertheless, Brighton are notoriously tough negotiators, who recently sold Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for a Premier League record £115million fee. More

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    Inter Milan chief hints at sensational transfer return for Andre Onana after horror start to Man Utd career

    ANDRE ONANA could make a stunning return to Inter Milan one day, according to their CEO Giuseppe Marotta.The Cameroon star quit Inter to join Manchester United in a £47million summer deal.
    Andre Onana has had a difficult start to life at Man UnitedCredit: Rex
    Giuseppe Marotta discussed Inter’s former goalkeeperCredit: Rex
    Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag sanctioned the exit of long-term No1 David de Gea to clear the decks for Onana.
    But the 27-year-old has struggled thus far, making a series of high-profile gaffes.
    Ten Hag, 53, is determined to stand by his No1, having worked with him at Ajax.
    But reports yesterday suggested that the Dutchman would “be open” to dropping Onana should his struggles continue.
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    United signed Turkish goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as back-up on deadline day.
    Speaking at the Gazzetta dello Sport Festival, Marotta discussed the possibility of Onana ever returning to the Nerazzurri.
    He said: “Anything can happen in football, even if those who return do not always have positive results.
    “It was an important experience for him and for us.
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    “It was also a very successful deal for us to get him for free and sell him for all that money.”
    Inter replaced Onana with former Bayern Munich star Yann Sommer.
    The 34-year-old has enjoyed a positive start to life in Serie A, drawing plenty of plaudits from Italian pundits.
    Onana, meanwhile, was recently criticised by United legend Roy Keane.
    Appearing on the Stick to Football podcast, the Irishman said: “He’s had a really poor start.
    “To be a goalkeeper at Man United is a hard position, you need a big personality after you’ve made mistakes.
    “He’s already made a few mistakes, it’s not been a great start.
    “We’ve seen other goalkeepers that have come to the club with a big reputation but, after a few mistakes, there seems no way back for them.” More