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      Real Madrid to use incredible loophole to register Jude Bellingham to make space for new transfer after passport demand

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      REAL MADRID are looking to use an incredible loophole to register Jude Bellingham this season.The Spanish giants would make space to register a new signing after making a passport demand for their English midfielder.
      Real Madrid could use a loophole to register Jude Bellingham for next seasonCredit: Getty
      Bellingham completed a £115million move to Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund earlier this summer.
      Ahead of his first season in Spain, Los Blancos are looking into a loophole as they prepare to register him for the upcoming campaign.
      According to Marca, Real Madrid are hoping to avoid registering Bellingham as a non-EU player.
      The club are waiting for confirmation that the 20-year-old has been issued an Irish passport.
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      If the application is successful, it would mean Bellingham can be included as a European Union player.
      LaLiga’s registration rules limit each club to just three non-EU players in their squad.
      Bellingham is eligible for an Irish passport through his paternal grandmother, according to his dad Mark.
      Mark previously shared a snap of Bellingham wearing an Ireland shirt as a child.
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      Jude Bellingham could have played for Ireland through his paternal grandmotherCredit: Twitter
      He went on to play for England instead of Ireland, though, and has already won 24 caps for the Three Lions.
      Real Madrid have previously used a similar loophole to register new signings as EU players in the past.
      The club secured Spanish citizenships for Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Eder Militao after they moved to the Santiago Bernabeu.
      British players have to be listed as non-EU in Spain following Brexit.
      Other European countries, including Italy, have given British players a special status to allow them to be registered.
      By registering Bellingham as Irish, Real Madrid will also be free to sign another non-EU player before the end of the transfer window.
      However, the move will not impact on their pursuit of Kylian Mbappe this summer.
      Mbappe would not count towards their non-EU quote, with France still being a part of the European Union.
      Jude Bellingham has already played for England at the Euros and the World CupCredit: Rex More

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      Mauricio Pochettino in brutal dig at Chelsea transfer policy as he brands new signing as someone to ‘send on some loan’

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO has launched a brutal dig at Chelsea’s summer transfer policy after the club’s latest signing.Chelsea agreed a £23.5million fee with Rennes for the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu with the midfielder expected to complete the move shortly.
      Pochettino has expressed frustration with Chelsea’s summer transfer policyCredit: Rex
      Ugochukwu is the latest example of Chelsea signing young players with bags of potential – but some are not quite ready for the first teamCredit: Getty
      Pochettino is keen to bolster a Chelsea midfield that currently boasts 23-year-old Conor Gallagher as its most experienced player in the central midfield role.
      Ugochukwu made 35 appearances for Rennes last season despite his young age and has represented France at Under-19 level nine times.

      But it’s clear that the Argentine does not see Ugochukwu as a player that will boost his midfield options, at least in the short term.
      When asked whether the signing boosted his midfield after Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over rivals Fulham in a pre-season friendly, the manager said: “My information is he is a player that is from France that maybe they are signing with the idea to send on some loan, using a different club but that information was already in your laptop. 
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      “There is nothing to say too much.”
      The dismissal of Ugochukwu’s signing comes after Pochettino warned that Chelsea’s upcoming season could be a “mess” if Chelsea’s 29-man squad is not thinned.
      The window has seen experienced midfielders Mason Mount and Matteo Kovacic leave.
      And Pochettino is keen to replace these outgoing stars with some much needed experience in the midfield.
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      The club remain keen on a deal for 21-year-old Brighton midfielder who has two seasons of Premier League experience under his belt.
      The midfielder shone last year, and was subject to two bids from Arsenal during last season’s January window.
      Chelsea have so far had two bids for Caicedo rejected this summer, the second of which was worth £80m.
      Brighton are holding out for their full £100m asking price amid reports that Chelsea bosses will attempt to negotiate this fee down.
      Meanwhile Chelsea have agreed a £39m fee for 25-year-old French defender Axel Disasi from Monaco.
      The centre-back, who has made four appearances for the French national team will provide some much-needed defensive reinforcement after Wesley Fofana’s latest knee injury. More

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      I’m Champions League winner who made £50m and is engaged to Little Mix pop superstar – but now I’m unemployed at 29

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      CHAMPIONS LEAGUE winner Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has enjoyed a roller-coaster career.From trophy-laden Arsenal and Liverpool spells to starring for England, the Ox has played on the biggest stages of all.
      Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is currently without a clubCredit: Getty
      Oxlade-Chamberlain has been with Perrie Edwards since 2017Credit: INSTAGRAM/PERRIE EDWARDS
      The pop star gave birth to their first child last summerCredit: INSTAGRAM/PERRIE EDWARDS
      But after seeing out the final year of his Anfield contract, he now finds himself unemployed at just 29.
      With £50million in career earnings in the bank, according to Capology, and stunning Little Mix star fiancee Perrie Edwards at his side, Oxlade-Chamberlain is plotting his next move.
      Oxlade-Chamberlain began dating the pop superstar in 2017 and they had a son together last year.
      He is able to spend more time with his family as his search for a new club continues.
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      The 29-year-old is supposedly on the radar of Premier League sides Aston Villa and Brentford.
      He has also been linked with Besiktas in Turkey and an unnamed Saudi Arabian side.
      Oxlade-Chamberlain began his career at Southampton before being swiftly snapped up by Arsenal.
      He spent six years at the Gunners, winning three FA Cups with the club.
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      The 35-cap England star then sealed a £35million move to Liverpool.
      He played 146 times for the Reds, winning the Premier League and Champions League.
      His career in recent years has been plagued by injuries, playing just 13 matches last season.
      But that hasn’t put him off a stunning return to football.
      He told the Mirror: “I still want success, I’ve had a taste of it here, they’ve been the best years ever.
      “So, if by any chance, I can have another sniff of achieving anything like that again then I’d bite your hand off.

      “I think I need to go and play somewhere as consistently as possible. They say you’re coming into your peak at 29, so I want to go and test myself, play consistently somewhere.
      “I’m still hungry, I still feel I have a lot of games left in me and a lot of energy left in me. I don’t like to say a point to prove, but that’s always been my attitude.”
      Perrie Edwards and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are engagedCredit: Instagram @perrieedwards More

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      Marseille stunned by Sheffield United’s sky-high Iliman Ndiaye transfer demand with Blades out to keep striker in Prem

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      SHEFFIELD UNITED want a stunning £30million for star forward Iliman Ndiaye — to the surprise of French giants Marseille.The Blades are holding out for the massive fee for the Senegalese speedster, who is entering the last year of his contract.
      Iliman Ndiaye has one year remaining on his Sheffield United contractCredit: Getty
      Marseille were advised by middle-men that it would only take £11m to get Ndiaye, 23.
      They are also prepared to include a sell-on percentage.
      For all Marseille’s interest, they have made no direct official contact with United — but now know their huge valuation.
      Ndiaye’s boyhood club are also prepared to wait until the end of next season when he will become a free agent.
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      Ndiaye enjoyed a stellar 2022-23 campaign, scoring 14 goals and assisting 11 times as the Blades achieved automatic promotion to the Premier League.
      His form saw him earn a call-up to the Senegalese national team for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
      He made three appearances from the bench at the tournament, registering one assist.
      But Marseille could switch to Strasbourg striker Habib Diallo, who is available for £14m.
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      Ironically, he is on Blades’ wish list if Ndiaye goes.
      Meanwhile, United face an anxious wait for new signing Benie Traore to get a visa.
      The Ivorian forward flew from Sweden to Portugal to sign forms during the club’s tour but is still waiting for his UK papers. More

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      Rasmus Hojlund ‘says his goodbyes’ to Atalanta stars with Man Utd in ‘advanced talks’ over transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED look close to sealing the signature of top target Rasmus Hojlund – after he was spotted shaking hands and saying his goodbyes to Atalanta players after today’s friendly with Bournemouth.Hojlund was an unused substitute during Atalanta’s 3-1 win over the Cherries – with the Bergamo club unwilling to risk an injury to the forward ahead of his expected move to United.
      Rasmus Hojlund was left on the bench during Atalanta’ friendly with BournemouthCredit: Reuters
      Atalanta do not want to risk an injury to the forward as a move gets closerCredit: PA
      Sky Sports News presenter Marc McAdam tweeted that Hojlund: “went to a number of the Atalanta players on the pitch to shake hands; looked like he was saying his goodbyes.”
      He then added: “Only a matter of time before United agree a deal for the striker now…”
      Atalanta have received bids from both PSG and United over the past week, worth £42million and £51m respectively.
      Hojlund’s preference is to join United and the forward has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Red Devils.
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      Atalanta were originally holding out for a club record fee for the striker – valuing him at £68m.
      But after it became clear that he wanted to leave, and both PSG and United appeared unwilling to meet Atalanta’s asking price, the Italians have sought a quick resolution to the saga.
      United are desperate to sign a new No9 – with injury-prone Anthony Martial the only striker currently available in their squad.
      Erik Ten Hag grew tired of the Frenchman’s injury struggles and made Hojlund his top priority signing after it became clear United would not have the capacity to sign Harry Kane.
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      Ten Hag wants a deal for the forward to be wrapped up “as soon as possible” as he looks to have his team ready for the start of the upcoming Premier League season.
      And while United are keen to get a deal over the line – they have made it clear to Atalanta that they will not pay over £60m for his signature.
      In terms of outgoings, United rejected a £20m offer from West Ham for Harry Maguire last night.
      The England centre-back looks certain to leave United this summer after being stripped of the captaincy by Ten Hag.
      Boss David Moyes is now expected to return with a bigger offer and work on convincing Maguire to move to the Europa Conference League champs. More

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      Chelsea ‘agree £23.5m fee with Rennes for 19-year-old next Vieira Lesley Ugochukwu with midfielder set for medical’

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      CHELSEA have agreed a £23.5million deal to sign Rennes wonderkid Lesley Ugochukwu, according to reports.The 19-year-old has impressed since breaking through with his hometown team.
      Lesley Ugochukwu is set to leave Rennes for ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Ugochuwku has drawn plenty of interest with his displays in Ligue 1 – but Chelsea have won the race for his signature.
      According to The Athletic, the midfield wonderkid is set to undergo a medical ahead of signing a long-term contract with the Blues.
      Chelsea have already agreed personal terms with the French youth international.
      Mauricio Pochettino’s side have undergone a huge midfield clear out this summer.
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      Mason Mount departed for Manchester United, while Mateo Kovacic joined Manchester City.
      N’Golo Kante penned a lucrative contract to move to the Saudi Pro League – leaving Conor Gallagher and Enzo Fernandez as Chelsea’s only senior midfielders.
      Andrey Santos and Carney Chukwuemeka could also look to force their way into contention.
      It is not yet clear whether Ugochuwku will go straight into Chelsea’s first-team squad.
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      Should they decide to loan him out, they could look to send him to sister club Strasbourg, who were taken over by Todd Boehly’s BlueCo consortium earlier this year.
      Rennes-born Ugochuwku is already fluent in English.
      Speaking to The Athletic last month, the teenager cited two French Premier League icons as his midfield idols.
      He said: “When I was small, I would watch the skills of players like [Paul] Pogba and [Patrick] Vieira on YouTube.
      “They inspired me a lot because of the way they play. When I grew up, my academy coach sometimes called me ‘Vieira’ because they could see some techniques that he had before. I kind of see myself in both players.”
      On Vieira specifically, he added: “It’s an advantage being tall and powerful. People like Vieira inspire me a lot because of what he did for Arsenal.
      “It’s something that I want to do during my career, to live like that and for people to say, ‘Lesley was that kind of player’.”
      The 6ft 3in starlet has already made 60 first team appearances for Rennes, following in Eduardo Camavinga’s footsteps as a teenage midfielder to come through the club’s esteemed academy.
      Patrick Vieira has been cited as one of Ugochukwu’s idolsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Moises Caicedo ‘will ask Brighton to lower £100m asking price’ just days after Chelsea have £80m transfer bid rejected

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      MOISES CAICEDO and his representatives will ask Brighton to bring their asking price down from £100million, according to reports.Chelsea had an £80m bid for Caicedo rejected on Thursday and Brighton’s resistance has frustrated the player.
      Moises Caicedo is wanted by ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The Blues have now had three offers turned down and it remains unclear whether they will go in for the midfielder again.
      Chelsea have long been interested in Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, as are Liverpool.
      But according to Fabrizio Romano, the West Londoners are not yet ready to walk away from the deal.
      Brighton’s owner Tony Bloom and manager Roberto De Zerbi want to keep Caicedo.
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      It comes after they lost World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister, who joined Liverpool for £35m in June.
      But there was a release clause in Mac Allister’s contract that limited Brighton’s negotiating power.
      The Times say Caicedo and his reps will look to handle the matter sensitively in respect for Brighton and after he publicly plead to leave in January.
      Arsenal had bids of £60m and £70m rejected and subsequently they would sign Jorginho from Chelsea instead.
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      Caicedo did play in Brighton’s pre-season friendly with Brentford on Wednesday night in Atlanta and he is expected to feature against Newcastle on Friday.
      De Zerbi admitted Caicedo will have to be replaced if he is sold ahead of their first Premier League game of the season against Luton Town in two weeks.
      He said: “If you asked me what I would like, I would like him to stay with us but it is not my work.
      “My work is to tell my owner that if Caicedo leaves we need another big, important midfielder.”
      Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi wants to keep Moises CaicedoCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea handed huge Uefa fine for FFP breaches and ‘potentially incomplete financial reporting’ under Abramovich

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      CHELSEA have been hit with an £8.6million fine for Financial Fair Play breaches stretching back to the Roman Abramovich era.A Uefa probe into the club’s finances was opened after the Stamford Bridge outfit’s new owners, led by Todd Boehly, reported the issues last summer.
      Chelsea have been handed a fine by Uefa for Financial Fair Play breachesCredit: PA
      The irregularities have to do with the period between the 2012 and 2019 season while under Roman AbramovichCredit: Alamy
      In a statement, Uefa said: “Following the club’s sale in May 2022, the new ownership identified, and proactively reported to Uefa, instances of potentially incomplete financial reporting under the club’s previous ownership. 
      “The reported matters related to historical transactions which took place between 2012 and 2019.”

      While the precise nature of the infractions is not clear, it is understood that a number of relatively minor historical elements emerged during the sale process.
      While there is believed to have been no deliberate attempts to circumvent the rules, the breaches were discovered.
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      With Uefa having a three-year statute of limitations over FFP breaches, Chelsea only faced punishment for the rule-breaking in the 2018-2019 season.
      Meanwhile, Italian giants Juventus have, as expected, been banned from this season’s Europa Conference League.
      That is due to a “capital gains” transfer scam that saw them deducted 10 Serie A points to finish seventh.
      Juve were also fined £17.2m, half of which was suspended if they comply with Uefa financial rules up until the end of the 2024-25 season.
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      The Bianconeri’s European ban will last for a year and the club has confirmed there will be no appeal.
      Juventus president Gianluca Ferrero said: “We regret the decision of the Uefa Club Financial Control Body.
      “We do not share the interpretation that has been given of our defense, and we remain firmly convinced of the legitimacy of our actions and the validity of our arguments.
      “However, we have decided not to appeal this judgment. This decision is in line with the one taken last May in the context of the disputes with the FIGC.
      “As in that case, we prefer to put an end to the period of uncertainty and ensure full visibility and certainty to our internal and external stakeholders about the club’s participation in future international competitions.
      “Lodging an appeal, possibly to other levels of judgement, with uncertain outcomes and timing, would increase the uncertainty with respect to our eventual participation in the 2024-25 Champions League.
      “Instead, we want the first team, our fans, our sponsors, suppliers and financial partners to be able to experience the 2023-24 season with the utmost serenity and certainty with respect to the results achievable on the pitch, especially after the turbulent past season.” More