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    Arsenal AGREE Declan Rice transfer with West Ham as they close in on club-record signing for England star

    ARSENAL have agreed a club-record £105million fee for West Ham captain Declan Rice.The Gunners faced stiff competition from Manchester City – who saw a £90m offer rejected earlier this week.
    Declan Rice has agreed to join Arsenal from West HamCredit: PA
    Mikel Arteta has sealed his No1 summer transfer targetCredit: Getty
    But now Mikel Arteta’s men have finally got a deal in principle over the line for the England international, 24.
    Two previous bids from Arsenal had been rejected by the Hammers.
    And the East London outfit were initially unsatisfied with Arsenal’s third offer of £105m – submitted on Tuesday and made up of £100m upfront and a further £5m in add-ons.
    But after City walked away, the Hammers have accepted the deal with Arsenal.
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    However, the Gunners want to make the payments over the next five years – but West Ham want the money all paid by 2025.
    SunSport understands a compromise over the payment structure is “very close”.
    Once that has been sorted out, Rice will prepare to link up with the rest of Arteta’s squad in the coming weeks.
    Rice’s preferred destination was always North London, despite his admiration for Pep Guardiola and their trophy haul.
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    He was open to moving his family up north to Manchester had Arsenal refused to budge on their initial offers, but that is now not the case.
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    The player is away on holiday and not expected back for another fortnight following his England exploits.
    Arteta wants Rice fully integrated before they head off on their pre-season tour to the States, their opening game coming on July 20.
    He leaves West Ham having led the club to their first major silverware in 43 years – winning the Europa Conference League in his final game.
    Rice was preparing to enter the last year of his contract at the London Stadium.
    He had rejected improved contract offers over the past 18 months as West Ham looked to tie him down to a longer deal.
    This included the chance to earn £200,000 a week.
    But chairman David Sullivan admitted after the Conference League win that the memorable final would likely have been Rice’s final game for the club because he “wanted to go” – and so it has proved.
    Rice was in Chelsea’s academy until he was released aged 14 and joined West Ham in 2014.
    He broke through into the first team in 2017 and has gone on to make 245 appearances for the East Londoners.
    The dramatic 2-1 win over Fiorentina in Prague, sealed by Jarrod Bowen’s late winner, etched skipper Rice’s name into the club’s history books forever.
    But few could begrudge the talismanic figure from fulfilling his desire to compete for the top titles regularly, including the Premier League and Champions League.
    Arsenal confirmed the signing of Chelsea ace Kai Havertz for £65m on Wednesday evening.
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    Arteta hinted he has signed the German to play as a midfielder – rather than in attack as he did at Stamford Bridge.
    A £40m offer is also in for Ajax defender Timber and they are in talks with Southampton for £45m-rated Lavia. More

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    Eni Aluko has last laugh with brilliant tweet after being mercilessly trolled over Declan Rice to Arsenal theory

    ENI ALUKO has had the last laugh after being trolled over her Declan Rice theory.That’s because Manchester City have withdrawn from race to sign West Ham’s captain, leaving Arsenal as sole contenders.
    Eni Aluko is having the last laugh after her Declan Rice transfer theoryCredit: TalkSPORT
    Man City dropped out of the race after Arsenal made a £105m bidCredit: Getty
    Aluko made a splash on social media yesterday by claiming that City only made a bid for Rice to help out title rivals Arsenal.
    The former England star said Mikel Arteta called on Pep Guardiola to submit an offer, with the Treble winner agreeing solely on the basis of prompting Arsenal chiefs into making a higher bid.
    Aluko, who partied with Laura Woods at Glastonbury, received a backlash from some football fans, with many questioning her theory.
    But she reckons she’s now having the last laugh after City dropped out of the race for Rice.
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    Etihad chiefs believe Arsenal are overpaying for the Three Lions midfielder with their new £105m offer.
    And City have no intention of breaking the bank for a player who would not even be guaranteed a starting role in their XI.
    Aluko took to Twitter claiming that the “backtracking has begun.”
    And she added: “Oh hi Twitter. You’re still here. If I speak…
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    “And I will be speaking on this one.”
    Many fans thought Aluko’s response to doubters was spot on.
    One said: “Gotta respect it.”
    Another declared: “Had everyone on strings, well played.”
    One noted: “Haha cook these Twitter kids Eni.”
    Another added: “Eniiii cook them.” More

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    Uefa introduce new ‘anti-Chelsea’ transfer rule after Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk signings

    UEFA have introduced a new “anti-Chelsea” transfer rule following the signings of Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk. The Blues splashed out huge money to land a host of talents last season.
    Mykhailo Mudryk signed for Chelsea on a long-term deal in JanuaryCredit: Getty
    But as well as spending £600million in transfer fees, the Stamford Bridge side tied their new players down to mammoth long contracts.
    Some of those were up to six, seven or even eight-and-a-half years.
    It was done to spread the costs of deals – such as the British-record £106million for Fernandez – over a longer period and therefore get around Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
    As a result, Chelsea’s transfer “spend” for the 2022-23 campaign was just £98m.
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    However, Euro bosses are closing that loophole with their new rule.
    Uefa’s executive committee have ruled that all transfer deals, starting this summer, must be calculated over a maximum of five years, irrespective of the contract length.
    Uefa said the limitation would “ensure equal treatment of all clubs”.
    It does not ban longer-term deals from being signed and the rules will NOT be introduced retrospectively.
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    The new legislation will take effect from July 1 – when the international transfer market opens.
    Wesley Fofana and David Datro Fofana are tied down at Stamford Bridge until 2029.
    Benoit Badiashile and Noni Madueke’s contracts run until 2030.
    But it is Mudryk and Fernandez who will not become free agents until a staggering 2031. More

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    Man Utd fans fume ‘we’re finished’ as David de Gea posts cryptic tweet amid contract saga

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans have fumed “we’re finished” after David de Gea posted a cryptic tweet amid his contract saga.The goalkeeper’s 12-year stay at Old Trafford is set to end when his contract expires on Friday.
    David de Gea has shared a cryptic tweet amid his contract sagaCredit: Rex
    De Gea and United have been unable to agree terms on a new deal, leaving his future at the club unclear.
    The Spaniard had reportedly signed a contract extension before the club backed out of the deal.
    United’s hesitancy is said to have been caused by Erik ten Hag being “unconvinced” that De Gea should be his number one.
    However, the Red Devils’ hesitancy means that they are now set to start pre-season with Tom Heaton between the sticks.
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    De Gea himself has appeared to hit out at the reports, though, by cryptically tweeting a yawning emoji.
    His post has caused debate amongst unimpressed United fans, with one commenting: “We’re finished. God.”
    Another wrote: “Oh boy we’re in for a long two days.”
    A third also added: “Oh there’s about to be draaaama.”
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    One more said: “Ahh, we’ve lost. We have LOST.”
    Meanwhile, another fumed: “The way the club has dealt with his contract is embarrassing! If you want to replace him then do it with a bit of respect and dignity.”
    De Gea has made 545 appearances for United since signing from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
    David de Gea is set to leave Manchester United when his contract expiresCredit: Getty
    In the 12 years since, he has won eight major trophies, including a league title and the Europa League.
    United have so far been able to sign a replacement for De Gea, either, despite being linked with multiple targets.
    Talks are understood to be progressing to sign first-choice target Andre Onana, with Inter Milan’s transfer chief in England to finalise the deal. More

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    Harry Redknapp announces Harry Kane’s club next season amid Man Utd and Bayern Munich transfer interest

    FORMER Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has revealed who he thinks Harry Kane will be play for next season.Bayern Munich and Manchester United are reportedly in the race to sign him.
    Harry Kane is wanted by Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
    Harry Redknapp thinks Harry Kane will stay at TottenhamCredit: Getty
    The Bundesliga champions have had two bids supposedly rejected for the striker with the latest worth £80million.
    Tottenham do not want to sell Kane despite his contract expiring next year and they risk losing him for free.
    Redknapp, who managed Spurs from 2008 to 2012, is confident he does not want to move to Germany or leave at all.
    He told the BBC Radio Wales: “Kane is cert to stay at Tottenham. I think he is building a new house.
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    “Family would be the all-important thing for him, so there’s no chance he’s going to Bayern Munich.
    “He’s not going to want to go to Germany – he’s not taking his family over there, not a chance.
    “So if he stays here, unless you go to Manchester City, you’re not guaranteed to win anything.
    “You could go to Man Utd and not win anything. You can go to Chelsea or anywhere else you want to go. At the moment, City are winning everything.
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    “They’re on a different level – but City don’t need him.
    “There’s not a move for him really so I think he’ll stay at Tottenham, I really do.
    “I’m very confident about that.”
    Kane and wife Kate have three children and are expecting a fourth.
    Their first daughter Ivy is six, Vivienne is four and Louis is aged two.
    Harry Kane may stay at Tottenham to keep his family, including wife Kate, in EnglandCredit: Getty More

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    Chelsea star Wesley Fofana leaks team-mate’s transfer exit before it has been confirmed with heartfelt message

    CHELSEA star Wesley Fofana has leaked a team-mate’s exit before it has been confirmed with a heartfelt message.The French defender took to social media to share an emotional farewell to a departing Blues star.
    Wesley Fofana has leaked a team-mate’s Chelsea exit earlyCredit: Getty
    Edouard Mendy is set to leave Chelsea to join Al-AhliCredit: Reuters
    Edouard Mendy is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with a deal in place to take him to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli.
    However, the transfer has yet to be officially announced by either club.
    That has not stopped Fofana from bidding Mendy farewell on Instagram.
    In a post shared to his story, Fofana wrote: “My big brother, I will miss you. All the best to you and your family.”
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    He also added three love heart emojis and a link to one of Mendy’s posts showing him holding the Club World Cup.
    Fofana and Mendy only played together once for Chelsea last season following the former’s arrival from Leicester City.
    Mendy was limited to just 12 appearances after losing his place to Kepa Arrizabalaga in October.
    Meanwhile, Fofana’s opportunities were limited by a pair of knee injuries which hampered his first season in West London.
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    Senegal international Mendy will depart Chelsea after making 105 appearances in three years at the club.
    In that time he has won the Champions League, Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
    He follows N’Golo Kante and Kalidou Koulibaly by leaving Chelsea to head to Saudi Arabia. Hakim Ziyech is also said to be on his way to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
    The Blues have reportedly lined up AC Milan’s Mike Maignan to replace Mendy. More

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    Liverpool’s move for Gabri Veiga set to be hijacked by Premier League rivals – and could activate bargain release clause

    LIVERPOOL’S move for Gabri Veiga is set to be hijacked by a Premier League rival who could activate his bargain release clause.The Reds entered the race to sign the Celta Vigo midfielder last week.
    Liverpool’s move for Gabri Veiga could be hijackedCredit: Getty
    Liverpool opened talks over a potential deal for the Spanish under-21 international.
    Another Premier League club has now thrown their hat in the mix to sign Veiga, who has been dubbed the “Baby Kaka”.
    According to Fabrizio Romano, Manchester City have entered the race after backing out of a deal to sign Declan Rice.
    Veiga, who has a £34million release clause, is under strong consideration by the treble winners.
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    The report adds that both Liverpool and Chelsea remain interested in Veiga.
    The 21-year-old scored 11 goals and provided four assists in 36 league appearances for Celta last term.
    He also showed his versatility in midfield, starring in both attacking and defensive roles for the club.
    Any deal for Veiga is unlikely to be completed until next month, though, due to his international commitments.
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    The youngster is currently with the Spain squad at the under-21 Euros.
    Spain are through to this weekend’s quarter-finals after topping their group, with the final scheduled for July 8.
    Veiga appeared off the bench in all three of his countries group matches.
    Gabri Veiga is currently with Spain’s under-21s at the European ChampionshipsCredit: Getty More

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    How Man City dragged Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea into ugly bidding wars for SIX players costing them millions

    MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Declan Rice, clearing the way for Arsenal to seal a deal.Pep Guardiola’s men saw a £90m offer rejected by West Ham earlier this week.
    Sheikh Mansour has invested heavily as Manchester City ownerCredit: Getty
    Pep Guardiola has often forced rival clubs to pay over the odds to fend off their interestCredit: AFP
    And the Gunners’ third bid now looks to have finally seen off competition from the Premier League champions.
    But City are no strangers to forcing rival clubs into paying more for their targets.
    Manchester United and Chelsea have both been on the receiving end of a bidding war with those at the Etihad.
    Here are six examples of Man City ramping up the price of a player by getting involved in a bidding war.
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    Fred – Transfer to Man Utd for £52m
    Fred signed for Manchester United back in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
    Brazilian international Fred was reportedly set to join Man City in 2018 when they agreed a £44.5m deal with Shakhtar Donetsk.
    In the end, he ended up moving to the red side of Manchester when United trumped their rivals with a £50m bid.
    And while the midfielder has racked up more than 200 appearances for the Red Devils, many supporters would argue he is yet to repay his substantial transfer fee.
    Jorginho – Transfer to Chelsea for £50m
    Chelsea pipped Man City to the signing of Jorginho five years agoCredit: Getty
    Many forget Jorginho was once on the verge of a move to the Etihad.
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    The Italian, 31, who has since left Chelsea for Arsenal, looked set to leave Napoli for Man City in 2018 as the Sky Blues closed in on a £46.5m deal.
    This forced Chelsea into eclipsing them with a late £50m offer as they hijacked City’s negotiations with the midfielder.
    But Guardiola waited patiently for 12 months, before snapping up Rodri the following summer – with the Spaniard going on to star for the English champions.

    Harry Maguire – Transfer to Man Utd for £80m
    Harry Maguire joined Man Utd for a British record fee four years agoCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Harry Maguire was a wanted man in the summer of 2019 as he prepared to leave Leicester.
    Man City were interested in acquiring the England international, but refused to exceed £65m.
    United then paid a considerable amount more than their city rivals – clinching a record £80m deal.
    And it’s safe to say it has not worked out for Maguire, who has struggled for form since joining four years ago.
    He looks set to depart Old Trafford this summer after spending much of last season on the bench.
    Cristiano Ronaldo – Transfer to Man Utd for £12.9m
    Cristiano Ronaldo returned to Man Utd in 2021Credit: Getty
    Cristiano Ronaldo returned for a second stint with Manchester United in 2021.
    But not before he was heavily linked with a STUNNING move to Man City.
    Guardiola’s side were reportedly offered the opportunity to sign the Portuguese legend, before United swooped in to offer Juventus £12.9m for the man who was entering the final year of his contract.
    He scored 27 goals in 54 appearances during his spell back in England, but ultimately ended up leaving in difficult circumstances as the club ripped up his deal following an astonishing interview with Piers Morgan.
    Alexis Sanchez – Swap deal to Man Utd for Henrikh Mkyhitaryan
    Alexis Sanchez joined Man Utd from Arsenal back in 2018Credit: Getty – Contributor
    Alexis Sanchez joined Man Utd in 2018 after Arsenal agreed a swap deal for Henrikh Mykhitaryan to go the other way.
    But Man City’s interest in the Chilean forced United into offering the player an astonishing £500,000-a-week salary.
    This was nearly DOUBLE the £290,000-a-week City were prepared to pay Sanchez.
    But Guardiola’s men had the last laugh as he bagged just five goals in 45 games for United before leaving for Inter in 2020.
    Declan Rice – Transfer to Arsenal for £105m
    Declan Rice looks set to leave West Ham for ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Rice looks set to become the latest player to sign for one of Man City’s Premier League rivals – after the Sky Blues had jacked up the price.
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    City’s £90m bid was rejected by West Ham, shortly before Arsenal then stormed in with a £105m offer.
    It remains to be seen whether he will be a success at the Emirates, but there is no denying the Gunners have had to fork over a remarkable fee to secure his services ahead of City. More