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    Brentford agree transfer for striker from Premier League rivals as Ivan Toney is linked with stunning transfer exit

    BRENTFORD are on the verge of signing Neal Maupay on loan from Everton, according to reports.The Bees have been on the hunt for attacking reinforcements since May, with star man Ivan Toney suspended until January.
    Maupay is on the verge of re-joining Brentford on loanCredit: Getty
    Toney is currently suspended until JanuaryCredit: AP
    They considered a swoop for both Viktor Gyokeres and Habib Diallo earlier this summer, but neither player completed a switch to the Gtech Community Stadium.
    And with the transfer deadline fast approaching, Thomas Frank and his team are now closing in on a new target.
    According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Brentford have reached a verbal agreement to sign Everton striker Maupay on loan.
    The proposed deal also includes an option to buy.
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    Maupay is set to complete a medical in London before the transfer window slams shut tonight.
    The striker spent two years with Brentford before joining Brighton in 2019.
    He scored 41 goals and provided 14 assists in 95 appearances during his first spell in West London.
    Maupay is expected to be the club’s short-term replacement for Toney, who is currently serving an eight-month ban for betting offences.
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    Although he could eventually become Frank’s first choice striker, with Toney currently being linked with a move away.
    Chelsea are understood to be considering the possibility of a move for the striker.
    Brentford reportedly want £80million for the 27-year-old.
    However, he recently revealed that he would be open to joining three other Premier League clubs.
    Speaking to Steven Bartlett on the Diary of a CEO podcast, he said: “My time at Brentford has been probably the best of my career.
    “The next club I go to will be the right club. I am a Liverpool fan my whole life.
    “I have liked Arsenal from young, how they play and how passionate their fans are.
    “But I’m a Liverpool boy, Liverpool fan at heart.
    “I liked [Dimitar] Berbatov. I liked watching United a lot when Berbatov was there, too.” More

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    LaLiga strugglers ‘enter race to sign Mason Greenwood as ex-Man Utd striker also approached by Italian giants Lazio’

    MASON GREENWOOD is being targeted by Turkish side Getafe.Greenwood “mutually agreed” to leave United on August 21 following backlash over his potential return to the squad after he was charged for attempted rape and sexual assault.
    Getafe have become the latest club to register an interest in signing Mason GreenwoodCredit: PA
    Lazio in Italy and Turkey’s Besiktas are reportedly considering an approach for the striker.
    And now according to the Daily Mail, Getafe are interested in bringing Greenwood to Spain on a short-term deal as they struggle in 11th.
    The ex-England international was charged in October last year but the case was dropped in February by the Crown Prosecution Service.
    Greenwood has not kicked a ball professionally since January 2022 when he was suspended.
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    And it was decided that it would be best for all if his future was away from Old Trafford. 
    If United cannot find him a club they may be faced with paying up his £75,000 a week contract.
    That still has two years left to run with the option of a further 12 months had the club wanted to take it up.
    That would mean a pay off of nearly £8million.
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    Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Lazio were given the opportunity to sign Greenwood before the British transfer deadline day closes.
    It comes after Turkish giants Besiktas were linked with an approach for the forward on a loan deal.
    Another Turkish club is also understood to be interested, and Turkey might be a more realistic destination as the Süper Lig transfer window deadline is not until September 15.
    Greenwood ‘mutually agreed’ to leave United in AugustCredit: EPA More

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    Arsenal deadline day clearout as ‘next Yaya Toure’ joins Luton on loan as Crystal Palace lead race for outcast defender

    ARSENAL midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga is signing on loan with newly-promoted Luton and Rob Holding is in talks with both Crystal Palace and Sevilla over a move from the Emirates.Belgian international Lokonga, a £17million signing from Anderlecht two years ago, has been given the green light to revive his career with the Hatters after an unsuccessful loan spell at Palace last season.
    Albert Sambi Lokonga is joining Luton on loan for the seasonCredit: Getty
    Rob Holding is in the middle of a tug of war between Crystal Palace and SevillaCredit: Getty
    The 23-year-old central midfielder is surplus to requirements at Arsenal, where he is behind Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Jorginho and Mo Elneny in the queue for a place in Mikel Arteta’s team.
    Central defender Holding is weighing up his options after Palace’s late interest.
    The 27-year-old is currently the longest-serving player at Arsenal after joining from Bolton in 2016 and was a key member of Arteta’s leadership group last season.
    But he is way down the pecking order and Arteta doesn’t want to stand in his chances to make a fresh start with a new club.
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    Palace are keen to sign him on a permanent deal, which would involve a nominal fee in the region of £5m.
    But if he goes to Arsenal’s Champions League rivals Sevilla it will be a loan deal.
    The departures come after Flo Balogun, Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares all left earlier in the week.
    Arteta said: “I don’t expect anyone else to come in this window and we’re working to find the best possible solutions for some players leaving us.
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    “The players are happy and the club has done some good business as well.
    “We didn’t have space in our squad for Flo to have the minutes he needed and he wanted the chance to continue to develop his career.
    “But he has gone to a good club with Monaco and I am really happy for him.
    “I don’t expect anyone else to come in.” More

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    Brighton confirm sensational deadline day transfer of Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati after CEO leaked deal on Zoom call

    BRIGHTON have confirmed the signing of Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati.The forward joins on a season-long loan deal.
    Brighton have signed Ansu Fati
    CEO Paul Barber leaked the transfer news to fans via a Zoom call
    The Seagulls have beaten several European clubs to Fati’s signature, including Tottenham.
    Wolves were linked to the wonderkid earlier this summer while Manchester United and Liverpool have monitored Fati for some time.
    But Brighton have lured Fati to the south coast with CEO Paul Barber leaking the news before it was made official.
    Speaking at a fan event via a Zoom call, Barber praised Fati’s ability before confirming he had signed, sparking huge cheers from those in attendance.
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    Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi also revealed his delight at being able to welcome Fati to the club.
    He said: “This is a great deal for all of us. I am sure Ansu will help us to reach a new target and we can help him get back to the level he deserves to be.”
    Fati, 20, made his Barcelona debut at 16-years-old and became the youngest goalscorer for the club.
    In September 2019 he became Barcelona’s youngest Champions League player and his goal against Inter Milan in December 2019 made him the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history.
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    He has gone on to make 112 appearances for the Spanish giants, scoring 29 goals.
    Fati also broke a 95-year record to become Spain’s youngest goalscorer when he struck in a 4-0 win over Ukraine in September 2020.
    Earlier that year he became the youngest player to score two goals in one LaLiga game as Barcelona beat Levante. More

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    Man Utd goalkeeper Dean Henderson set to start as BACKUP at Crystal Palace despite £20m transfer

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S Dean Henderson will be expected to compete for the No1 spot at Crystal Palace – despite his £20m price tag.The shot-stopper is closing in on a permanent deal with Roy Hodgson’s side.
    Manchester United’s Dean Henderson is closing in on a deal with Crystal PalaceCredit: Getty
    Henderson, 26, is set to have his medical today and will sign a five-year contract at Selhurst Park.
    His move to South London brings to an end his 12-year spell with the Red Devils where he has challenged David De Gea for a starting spot.
    But his pricey transfer will not gift him with the No1 shirt at Palace as he will have to fight Sam Johnstone for it.
    The academy graduate joined United when he was 14 and made his senior debut in 2015.
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    Henderson has since had six loan spells at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and Sheffield United – where he earned them Championship promotion.
    His remarkable effort at Bramall Lane earned him his first and only England call-up in 2020.
    More recently he spent the season at Nottingham Forest but made just 20 appearances during the 2022-23 campaign due to a thigh injury.
    Steve Cooper was keen to steal Erik ten Hag’s No2 but the Eagles came in to swoop him away.
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    The England international will replace Vicente Guaita – who is expected to depart the Eagles after falling out with Hodgson after refusing to play in pre-season friendlies.
    Henderson will join Palace’s new signings Jefferson Lerma and Matheus France from Flamengo.
    But the South London side are still on the hunt for a Wilfred Zaha replacement who departed last month on a free transfer to Galatasaray.
    Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho is a key target for Hodgson’s squad as well as Paris Saint-German’s Hugo Ekitike.
    Meanwhile, United are lined-up to sign goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce to back-up summer arrival Andre Onana.
    Henderson will compete with Sam Johnstone for the No1 spot at PalaceCredit: Getty More

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    Inside Man Utd transfer chaos with Mount injured, Maguire still at club, left-back scramble and no money for Amrabat

    MANCHESTER UNITED’S race to sign Sofyan Amrabat shows where they are in a chaotic opening to the new season.Amrabat of Fiorentina had been touted as a signing for the Red Devils all summer.
    Mason Mount’s injury has added to Manchester United’s woesCredit: Alamy
    Harry Maguire is still at the club after his move collapsedCredit: Getty
    But as of a week ago they were not interested in the deal.
    Fast forward to today and they are battling to get a loan over the line for the £30 million rated Moroccan international midfielder.
    No doubt Mason Mount’s injury has played a part in that scenario.
    Fiorentina will do the loan to help United get around FFP regulations as long as the Red Devils confirm they will make the deal permanent at the end of the season.
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    They are also still fighting to get a left-back on loan with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia injured.
    Talks are ongoing to get one of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella or Tottenham’s Sergio Reguilon.
    Chelsea are demanding a £7million loan fee for Cucurella who turned out for Mauricio Pochettino against Wimbledon on Wednesday night.
    The defensive problems do not end there with Raphael Varane sidelined for at least a month.
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    That has led to the club clinging on to Harry Maguire who is wanted by West Ham.
    In any case they were struggling to get that £30million outgoing done with their former captain holding out for a £15million pay off.
    There was also news this week that new goalkeeper Andre Onana could be missing for up to a month in the New Year.
    The Cameroon international has gone back on his decision to retire from international football meaning he will be required for the African Cup of Nations.
    There are problems up front that the club are hoping new striker Rasmus Hojlund can solve starting this weekend.
    He is expected to be on the bench after what was described as a slight injury picked up in pre-season with his former club Atalanta having stopped him from training with his new teammates until this week.
    They definitely need someone upfront with all four of their goals in the opening three games coming from midfield with one headed in by Raphael Varane.
    Marc Cucurella is amongst the left-back targets being consideredCredit: Rex
    United have been forced to make a loan approach for Sofyan AmrabatCredit: Getty
    All this and the team have not started the new season well.
    They were very fortunate to beat Wolves in their opening game.
    The Red Devils then lost to Tottenham as they faded after a bright start.
    Last weekend they were 2-0 down in the opening four minutes to a Nottingham Forest side who won only one game away from home in the whole of last season.
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    The comeback to win 3-2 at least showed the team has spirit but that will only take them so far.
    The visit to The Emirates could have United fans watching proceedings through their fingers. More

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    Gylfi Sigurdsson completes return to football in shock free transfer two years after Everton exit

    GYLFI SIGURDSSON has completed a return to football two years after leaving Everton.The Icelandic midfielder has completed a move to Danish side Lyngby.
    Gylfi Sigurdsson has signed for Danish side LyngbyCredit: twitter @LyngbyBoldklub
    Sigurdsson has signed a one-year deal with the Superliga club after joining on a free transfer.
    Speaking to the club’s website, the 33-year-old said: “I hope that I can come in and contribute with a lot of experience and quality.
    “I know that there are a lot of young and talented players in the team, and I really want to learn from me so that we can lift ourselves up together.
    “I have heard about the good support we have, and I am very much looking forward to meeting the fans and not least playing in front of them.”
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    Lyngby are currently ninth in the Danish top flight after six matches this season.
    Sigurdsson could make his debut as early as Sunday, when Lyngby host Nordsjaelland in the league.
    He joins the club a day after they signed form Stoke and Barcelona defender Marc Muniesa.
    The former Iceland international had been a free agent after leaving the Toffees and has not played since 2021.
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    Across his time in England, the midfielder scored 67 goals in 318 appearances for Everton, Swansea and Tottenham.
    He also has 78 caps for Iceland and played for his country at both the Euros and World Cup. More

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    Italy legend Leonardo Bonucci set for stunning transfer abroad as he returns to Champions League at 36

    JUVENTUS icon Leonardo Bonucci is on the brink of a return to the Champions League with a shock new club.The Italian legend, 36, is set to join Bundesliga side Union Berlin, on their debut campaign in the competition.
    Italian legend Leonardo Bonucci is leaving Juventus to join Union BerlinCredit: Getty
    Fabrizio Romano says the defender will travel to the German capital today to complete a deal.
    In his prime, Bonucci was once the top centre-backs in world football, winning eight titles with Juventus while leading Italy to glory at Euro 2020.
    The veteran is now approaching the end of his glittering career.
    And Bonucci recently announced his intention to hang up his boots in 2024.
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    However, the defender is ready for one last dance with Berlin before bowing out.
    He will join the Die Eisernen on a free transfer signing a one-year deal with an option for a further season to be decided.
    It will be the first time he has ever played outside of Italy.
    The Italian ace initially received interest from Premier League side Newcastle, the MLS and Saudi Arabia.
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    But Bonucci is eager to play at the highest level with Champions League football on the cards.
    A move for the Juventus star to the Bundesliga side is favourable as they are making their Champions League debut this season.
    The defender made his professional appearance back in 2006 with Inter Milan.
    Having been an integral part of the Bianconeri’s backline for over a decade Bonucci’s departure marks the end of an era.
    The centre-back joined Juventus in 2010, where, apart from the 2017-18 season with AC Milan, he has been ever since.
    He has made exactly 500 appearances for the club.
    However, the Champions League trophy has proved elusive, with Bonucci experiencing heartbreaking defeats in the final on two occasions.
    Bonucci’s transfer to Germany can potentially pave the way for him to grab the missing piece of silverware. More