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    £45m-rated Premier League star forced off with shoulder injury in big Liverpool transfer blow

    FULHAM’S Joao Palhinha suffered a dislocated shoulder last night amid interest from West Ham. The Hammers are desperate to land the Portuguese midfielder as a replacement for Declan Rice but saw a £45million bid rejected last week, with Liverpool also believed to be keen. 
    João Palhinha goes down with a serious injury
    Palhinha had to be withdrawn in the friendly against Brentford
    But Palhinha, 28, could now face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after being withdrawn from last night’s friendly against Brentford in Philadelphia. 
    He received lengthy treatment at the Lincoln Financial Field before leaving the pitch in obvious discomfort following a collision with Yoane Wissa. 
    Fulham boss Marco Silva said: “Unfortunately it doesn’t look good.
    “Let’s hope it’s not too serious. He will have a scan tomorrow – hopefully it’s not another long-term injury.”
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    The tough-tackling star has been identified as a replacement for Declan Rice by David Moyes.
    According to talkSPORT, Palhinha has emerged as a top transfer target.
    Fulham reportedly want £90m for the midfielder.
    Palhinha, 28, signed for the West London side last summer in a £20m transfer from Sporting Lisbon.
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    But his impressive debut campaign has seen his stock rise rapidly.
    The midfielder made 40 appearances last season and was crucial to Fulham’s top-half finish in the Premier League.
    Jurgen Klopp is also known to be a keen admirer of Palhinha.
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    Palhinha was seen leaving the stadium in a sling
    And the Reds could be back in the market for another midfielder, after selling Jordan Henderson to Saudi side Al-Ettifaq.
    They have already added Alexis Mac Allister to their ranks, as well as Dominik Szoboszlai.
    Man Utd have appeared to cool their interest after signing Mason Mount and Andre Onana, while operating on a limited budget. More

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    Man Utd star Amad Diallo spotted limping out of stadium on crutches in potential huge blow to transfer plans

    MANCHESTER UNITED ace Amad Diallo was spotted on crutches after the friendly with Arsenal in the US.Amad came on as a second-half substitute during United’s 2-0 win over the Gunners in a pre-season friendly on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

    Manchester United ace Amad Diallo was spotted on crutches after the friendly with ArsenalCredit: Twitter
    Diallo twisted his ankle and a move from Man Utd now appears doubtfulCredit: Getty
    However, the winger didn’t last long as he appeared to have twisted his ankle and was taken off by manager Erik ten Hag before limping to a medical room.
    After full-time, the Ivory Coast international was seen walking out on crutches with his ankle strapped.
    That could put the brakes on a potential summer move for the 21-year-old.
    But the winger would later release a positive update on Instagram about his condition.
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    He wrote: “I feared the worst,ALHAMDOULILAH nothing serious 🙌🏾 back soon Inch’ALLAH.”
    Diallo has spent the majority of his two-year stint at Old Trafford out on loan.
    The Ivorian initially joined Rangers last year but struggled with the pace and physicality of the Scottish Premiership after just returning from injury.
    But the forward bounced back last season while playing at Sunderland as he amassed 14 goals and four assists in 42 appearances.
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    Amad received an opportunity to impress Ten Hag after his impressive loan spell at the Stadium of Light and was thus called up for pre-season in the US.
    However, another loan move for the youngster wasn’t ruled out by United.
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    And that is why Sunderland, Leeds and Southampton have been keeping tabs during the summer transfer window.
    However, Amad’s latest injury set-back has raised a few doubts over an imminent move.
    Nevertheless, United have yet to release an official medical update on the player. More

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    Chelsea ‘in talks with Ajax over transfer for former Man Utd target with personal terms nearly agreed’

    CHELSEA have contacted Ajax over a move for Mohammed Kudus.Kudus stood out for the Eredivisie giants last season, despite their poor campaign that saw them finishing third, and attracted interest from Europe’s top bidders.
    Chelsea have contacted Ajax about Mohammed KudusCredit: Rex
    Chelsea target Kudus was previously linked with a move to Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    Manchester United were interested in landing the attacking midfielder this summer but ended their pursuit after signing Mason Mount from the Blues.
    And according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the West Londoners have now swooped in to land the Ghana international.
    Chelsea and Ajax have held talks but no offer has been tabled from the Premier League giants.
    However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side has also contacted the 22-year-old.
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    And personal terms are close to being agreed with Kudus, who appears keen to move in the summer.
    The Ghanaian’s agent Jennifer Mendelewitsch put potential suitors on red alert in May by admitting that her client would like a new challenge.
    Mendelewitsch told De Telegraaf: “I think it is best for both Ajax and Mohammed that he makes a transfer now.
    “Now is the right time. He has ignored a proposal to extend his contract until the summer of 2026.
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    “What I can say is that after the World Cup and this season there is a lot of interest in Kudus.”
    Kudus has two more years left in his contract and Ajax have previously demanded £40million to let him go.
    He joined Ajax from Nordsjaelland in 2020 and quickly rose to prominence in Amsterdam.
    The versatile forward has since scored 23 goals and provided 11 assists in 84 appearances for the Dutch giants.
    And that also led to two Eredivisie titles as well as the Dutch Cup in 2021. More

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    Chelsea outcast Callum Hudson-Odoi set for reunion with old Blues boss as he closes on transfer to Serie A giant

    CHELSEA outcast Callum Hudson-Odoi looks set to reunite with a former boss at Serie A side Lazio.Hudson-Odoi, 22, had been tipped to be the latest player to join the Saudi Pro League – amid interest from multiple sides in the Gulf.
    Hudson Odoi has struggled for minutes at Chelsea in recent yearsCredit: Getty
    Sarri gave Hudson-Odoi his first break in the Chelsea first teamCredit: Jamie McPhilimey – The Sun
    According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano though, he looks set to link up with former manager Maurizio Sarri in Rome.
    Romano said there is no truth in reports of a loan move with an obligation to buy as Chelsea are only willing to sell the winger permanently.
    His £120,000-a-week contract is set to expire next summer.
    Sarri managed Hudson Odoi during his stint as Chelsea manager between 2018 and 2019 – where the winger made 23 senior appearances for The Blues.
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    Much of these came in cup competitions, with the young winger particularly impressing in the Europa League at the time.
    His performances sparked a clamour from Chelsea fans to give Hudson-Odoi Premier League minutes, to which Sarri responded: “I don’t know if Hudson-Odoi is able for the Premier League at 18, especially in a big team.
    “If he’s good enough to play in a big team in the Premier League at 18 then he could be the best player in Europe in two years.”
    Hudson-Odoi was subject to extensive interest from Bayern Munich after he first broke into the Chelsea first team.
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    He was subject to a £70million transfer bid from Bayern in 2020.
    Hudson-Odoi ultimately remained at Chelsea however, penning a five-year-deal on £120k-a-week.
    Since then however, he has struggled to nail down a place in the Chelsea first team.
    The winger has struggled with injury throughout his Chelsea career and last year found himself out on loan at Bayer Leverkusen as he looked to kickstart his career.
    He struggled again with injury in Germany and was limited to just 14 appearances at Leverkusen.
    A move to Lazio to reunite with former boss Sarri could be just what the winger needs as he looks to reignite his faltering career. More

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    Man Utd outcast Alex Telles completes transfer to Saudi side Al Nassr to seal reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo

    ALEX TELLES has left Manchester United to sign for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.He links back up with Cristiano Ronaldo after finding himself surplus to requirements under Erik ten Hag.
    Alex Telles has joined Al-NassrCredit: Instagram @alnassr
    The defender spent last season on loan at SevillaCredit: Getty
    Ten Hag cast Telles out of his squad after taking over last year, with the left-back joining Sevilla on loan for the season.
    The 30-year-old made 38 appearances for the Spanish club and helped them win the Europa League.
    But he is now set for a very different challenge after finalising a transfer to Al-Nassr.
    It is believed Telles will earn £7million a year at the Saudi outfit, with Al Nassr paying United £4m for his services.
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    Ten Hag has been trying to offload fringe players in an attempt to build transfer funds, and Telles was an obvious option given his last appearance came in the last game of the 2021-22 season.
    He could be joined at Al-Nassr by another forgotten man at United, Eric Bailly, who is in England training on his own.
    Bailly came to United from Villarreal for £30million but never really established himself in the side after a promising first season due to injuries.
    The defender is not expected to command a fee.
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    He has not played for United since December 2021 and spent last season on loan in Marseille.
    The Red Devils could also raise funds by selling both Dean Henderson and Anthony Elanga to Nottingham Forest.
    Goalkeeper Henderson would cost £30million with winger Elanga costing £15million. More

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    Tottenham ‘enter Kylian Mbappe transfer race’ as stunned fans say: ‘I have more chance of dating Margot Robbie’

    TOTTENHAM have emerged as surprise candidates to make a move for Kylian Mbappe, according to reports.Spanish outlet Marca broke the stunning news that Spurs were one of a host of Premier League clubs interested in the forward.
    Fans are unwilling to believe that Tottenham’s interest in Mbappe is seriousCredit: AFP
    PSG are determined to sell Mbappe this summer – and have left him out of their squad for their pre-season tour of Japan.
    News broke yesterday that Chelsea plus one unnamed Premier League club were set to enter the race to sign the forward, who has been heavily linked with Real Madrid.
    And according to Marca, Spurs and Manchester United are the other unnamed clubs willing to throw their hat in the ring for Mbappe’s signature.
    Marca report that PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Daniel Levy have a close working relationship and that Levy would leverage this to make a move.
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    Given Spurs’ 8th placed finish last season and the fact that Saudi side Al-Hilal are willing to offer £173million for Mbappe, fans were left stunned by the news that the North London club would move for one of the best players in the world.
    One Spurs fan on Twitter said: “I’m interested in Margot Robbie.
    “My transfer has slightly more chance than Mbappe coming to Spurs.”
    Another joked: “Levy will offer £15m + Eric Dier and Oliver Skipp.”
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    A third simply wrote: “You having a laugh?”
    While a fourth responded to tweets linking Spurs with Mbappe with a string of laughing emojis.
    Mbappe has entered the final year of his PSG contract and made it clear with the Parisian club that he has no intention of signing a new deal.
    PSG are unwilling to lose the forward for free and believe that doing so would force an exodus of stars as they would have to balance the books in Mbappe’s absence.
    The club want a swift sale and hope for a transfer to be sorted by July 31.
    Mbappe is reportedly willing to sit out the entirety of next season in order to make a move to Real Madrid happen next summer.
    It is looking increasingly likely that Spurs will be in the market for a striker this summer, with Harry Kane’s rumoured move to Bayern gathering pace.
    Kane’s wife, Kate, was reportedly in Munich this weekend looking at houses amid rumours that Kane had agreed personal terms with Bayern ahead of a move. More

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    Ivan Toney could leave Brentford before return from eight-month ban as in-demand star weighs up big move

    BANNED Brentford star Ivan Toney is weighing up a big summer move – to a new agent.The England international striker is thought to be considering whether to join the huge stable of top players at CAA Stellar.
    Ivan Toney has been banned from football for eight months after betting breachesCredit: PA
    Toney may leave Brentford before his ban runs outCredit: Getty
    And that would be regarded as a sign that Toney is also preparing for a transfer to a new club, perhaps even before his eight-month suspension for betting offences runs out in January.
    Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United are among the clubs to have been linked with the 27-year-old, who has two years left on his current Bees’ deal.
    Toney has enjoyed a successful relationship with agent Simon Kennedy and still appears on the website of Kennedy’s company, Pinnacle Sports and Entertainment Limited.
    CAA Stellar represents hundreds of players, including big names like £100million Manchester City winger Jack Grealish, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate and in-demand Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse.
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    Stellar, led by Jonathan Barnett and David Manasseh, also oversaw Gareth Bale’s then world-record £85.3m move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013.
    Kennedy was unavailable for comment.
    Toney was charged with 232 breaches of FA regulations before he was hit with the eight-month ban.
    The centre-forward was also diagnosed with a gambling addiction after admitting to the offences.
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    The Brentford star is now prevented from playing until January 16 and is unable to train with his club until September.
    The penalty infuriated both Bees manager Thomas Frank and England boss Gareth Southgate.
    Toney will be a major absence for the club this coming season after registering a staggering 21 goals and five assists in 35 appearances last term. More

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    Aston Villa SIGN Moussa Diaby as Unai Emery beats big-spending Saudis to France winger transfer

    ASTON VILLA have completed another major signing after landing Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa Diaby.Villa beat interest from Saudi Arabia’s mega-bucks to make Diaby their fourth addition of the summer transfer window.
    Aston Villa have signed Bayer Leverkusen star Moussa DiabyCredit: Getty
    Diaby joins Aston Villa after the club beat interest from Saudi ArabiaCredit: Aston Villa
    The winger moves to Villa Park after putting pen to paper on a five-year deal.
    The Premier League outfit shook hands with Leverkusen after agreeing on an undisclosed fee.
    The 24-year-old’s move is now subject to international clearance and a work visa.
    The France international, however, has already linked up with Emery’s side in the US.
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    Villa announced on their official website: “Aston Villa is delighted to announce the signing of French international Moussa Diaby.
    “The 24-year-old winger joins Villa from Bayer Leverkusen for an undisclosed fee and has already linked up with his new team-mates on their tour of the United States.”
    Diaby reportedly turned down a move to Al-Nassr where he would have teamed up with Cristiano Ronaldo and a raft of other big names that moved to Saudi Arabia.
    That is despite the Saudi giants agreeing a fee in principle with Leverkusen.
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    Villa have been very active during the summer transfer window, which saw them adding Monchi as president of football operations.
    The Villans have already landed Rico Richards as well as Youri Tielemans after they left West Brom and Leicester respectively as free agents..
    Emery also brought Pau Torres from Villarreal following a £33million deal. More