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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

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    Wrexham announce shock transfer of ex-Premier League and international star days after EFL rejected record move

    WREXHAM have completed the signing of former Premier League star Steven Fletcher.The striker had been a free agent since leaving Dundee United in June.
    Steven Fletcher has signed for WrexhamCredit: Willie Vass
    But he has put pen to paper and will join up with the Red Dragons once he receives international clearance.
    Fletcher said on joining the club: “Hopefully I can bring a lot of experience. I’m 36, I’m still fit and still raring to go.
    “One of the biggest selling points was the ambition of the Club, and if I can help with that then great.
    “I don’t think you can not see what has been happening at Wrexham – it’s been a great experience for the fans, players and owners so hopefully we can continue that.”
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    Fletcher scored ten goals in 39 games for Dundee United last season, having spent the previous 13 years playing in the Premier League and EFL.
    The former Scotland international has had spells at Hibernian, Burnley and Sunderland, and played 12 games on loan at Marseille in 2016, scoring twice.
    Stints at Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke followed before his move back above the border.
    Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson is delighted to welcome Fletcher to North Wales after missing out on Harrogate strike Luke Armstrong.
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    He said: “I’m really pleased with the addition of Steve to the squad. He’s missed football through pre-season but he’s trained today with the lads and it’s good to have him on board.
    “His pedigree speaks for itself, and he’s played most of his career at a very high level. He’s an excellent professional and that’s really important to fit in with the group here.”
    Wrexham had sent documents to the EFL to complete Armstrong’s signing, but the move collapsed as the paperwork was not submitted in time. More

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    Al-Ittihad ‘to leave record signing Jota out of squad with another high-profile incoming replacing him’

    FORMER Celtic star Jota has been left out of Saudi side Al-Ittihad’s squad despite being the club’s record signing, according to reports.The winger, 24, only joined from Celtic for £25million in July.
    Jota has been axed from the Al-Ittihad squad, according to reportsCredit: Getty
    The signing looked to represent a major coup for Ittihad given that the winger is in the prime of his career.
    He scored 15 goals and assisted 12 times during a fine 2022-23 season under Ange Postecoglou at Celtic Park.
    However, Al Riyadh sports journalist Hattan Al Najjar reports that Jota has now been jettisoned from Al-Ittihad’s Saudi Premier League squad.
    Al Najjar wrote: “Jota will be excluded from the list of [Al Ittihad] professionals in the league, according to the new system.”
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    Jota has cut a peripheral figure since joining the Saudi side, playing just 133 minutes across five matches and scoring one goal.
    Jota looked to be a statement signing for Al-Ittihad after arriving alongside Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante.
    But Saudi sides are limited by the league in how many foreign players they can register and it looks like Jota has not made the cut.
    That’s because his new club want to accommodate another new signing,defender Luiz Felipe from Real Betis, who cost a reported £18.8m.
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    Al-Ittihad were heavily also linked with a move for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, with SunSport revealing the Saudi side were prepared to bid up to £215m.
    But, Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp held firm in their desire to hold onto the Egyptian superstar.
    It is likely Al-Ittihad will return with another bid in January.
    Al-Ittihad sit third in the Saudi Pro League table, with four wins and defeat from five games.
    Their next fixture will be against Al-Akhdoud on September 14. More