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    Three Championship clubs queuing up to sign Sunderland star Ross Stewart with former boss ready to make hefty bid

    THREE Championship clubs head the queue to sign Sunderland striker Ross Stewart — Middlesbrough, Southampton and Stoke City.Boro are ready to raid their neighbours for the Scottish hitman, 27, who is out of contract at the end of next season and may have to be sold.
    Ross Stewart is wanted by three Championship clubsCredit: Getty
    But Saints will move for him if they sell any of their own forwards.
    And Stewart’s former boss Alex Neil at Stoke has been waiting for him to get fit — with a big cheque in his pocket to bid for him.
    Stewart is still recovering from a serious Achilles  injury and may not be ready for the start of the new campaign.
    The Scottish forward previously made 23 appearances for the Black Cats under Neil, scoring 11 goals in those matches.
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    Since joining from Ross County in January 2021, Stewart has become a key man for Sunderland.
    Overall, he has scored 40 goals in 80 appearances as well as chipping in with eight assists.
    He has also won the EFL Trophy and secured promotion to the Championship with Sunderland in 2022.
    Fans will be hoping the 26-year-old stays this summer as the club look to build on last season’s sixth place finish.
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    However, Boro, Stoke and Southampton are all keen to bolster their own promotion bids with the addition of Stewart.
    As for incomings at the Stadium of Light, though, Tony Mowbray has signed several promising youngsters including Jobe Bellingham. More

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    Leicester’s forgotten man offered transfer escape route after 17 months in exile amid furious fallout with manager

    AEK ATHENS are ready to offer Jannik Vestergaard an escape route from his Leicester City hell.Brendan Rodgers paid Southampton £15million for the Danish international in the summer of 2021 after Wesley Fofana suffered a serious knee injury in a pre-season match against Villarreal.
    Jannik Vestergaard has been offered an escape route from LeicesterCredit: PA
    He has had a torrid time since joining in 2021Credit: Getty
    But the giant defender flopped with the Foxes and soon fell out of favour with Rodgers who only gave him 10 Premier League appearances before dropping him. 
    Vestergaard made a rare appearance for 45 minutes of Leicester’s 1-0 pre-season win at Northampton yesterday, in Enzo Maresca’s first official game in charge.
    SunSport understands AEK have made contact with the Foxes over a potential move, although the Greeks valuation of Vestergaard at around £4m fell well short of Leicester’s valuation.
    Maresca kept his cards close to his chest when asked about Vestergaard’s future and said: “At this moment Jannik is in the same situation as all of my players. 
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    “He is our player, he is training with us, that’s it, we will see what happens in the future.”
    However the Italian boss has already signed 19-year-old centre-half Callum Doyle, who he worked with at Manchester City, on a season-long-loan. 
    Vestergaard’s Leicester career crashed and burned when his relationship with Rodgers turned toxic in March after the defender turned down offers to join from Fulham and Hertha Berlin.
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    The Dane then gave an unauthorised interview to a Danish publication, claiming he couldn’t understand why he had been frozen out of the Foxes’ first team.
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    That incensed Rodgers who insisted he had been crystal clear about Vestergaard’s situation.
    The Northern Irishman even questioned whether the Dane had a twin brother who had been standing in for him during those meetings.
    Rodgers banished the defender from first team training and Vestergaard did not play one minute of Premier League football last season.
    His last Prem appearance was against West Ham in February, 2022.
    Now AEK hope to land him for a cut-price fee with incentives now Leicester are in the Championship with a new manager who wants to build his own squad.
    The Foxes want to recoup as much of the £15million they invested in the defender but, with one year left on his contract, they may have to settle for around £5million.
    Even that could prove too costly for AEK who would struggle to meet Vestergaard’s £60,000-a-week wages unless Leicester pick up some of that financial burden. More

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    Arsenal confirm second summer signing as Jurrien Timber completes long-awaited transfer from Ajax

    ARSENAL have confirmed the signing of Ajax defender Jurrien Timber for a fee in the region of £40million.Timber becomes Arsenal’s second summer signing following the £65m transfer of Kai Havertz.
    Timber becomes Arsenal’s second summer signingCredit: Getty
    Arsenal have tracked the defender all summerCredit: Getty
    The defender will wear the number 12 shirt for Arsenal this seasonCredit: Getty
    The deal sees Arsenal’s summer spending rise above £100m as they look to back manager Mikel Arteta.
    Timber represents a versatile arrival – with the player able to play at centre-back, right-back and even in defensive midfield.
    He made 121 senior appearances for Ajax after joining the club’s youth system as a youngster from Utrecht.
    Timber won two league titles and a Dutch Cup during his time in Amsterdam.
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    Arsenal’s director Edu said: “We are very happy to bring Jurrien to Arsenal.
    “He is a player that we have admired for a long time, so it’s a credit to everyone in our team that made this happen.”
    Manager Mikel Arteta expressed his delight at the signing, saying: “We’re really excited that Jurrien has joined us.
    “He is a versatile young defender, who will fit into our system and provide our squad with so much added quality.
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    “Jurrien is a young player, but has already achieved so much.
    “He has experienced what it’s like to go to a major international tournament on more than one occasion, as well as the trophies he has won with Ajax.
    “We look forward to welcoming and integrating Jurrien into the squad.”
    Timber will wear the number 12 shirt for Arsenal, which was most recently worn by William Saliba.
    Saliba will now wear the number two shirt after signing a new contract this week.
    It’s set to be a busy weekend for Arsenal with the club expected to finally announce the signing of Declan Rice. More

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    Wolves ‘targeting shock transfer for Liverpool star and cup specialist desperately craving first-team football’

    WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS are targeting a shock move for Liverpool star Caoimhin Kelleher.The cup specialist is desperately craving first-team football and could leave Anfield this summer.
    Caoimhin Kelleher is being targeted by Wolverhampton WanderersCredit: Alamy
    Kelleher is valued at around £20million by Liverpool, who are prepared to sell him.
    According to the Daily Mail, Wolves are keen on signing the 24-year-old keeper.
    He has been identified as a potential replacement for Jose Sa, who has been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest.
    Sa is attracting strong interest after keeping 11 clean sheets in the Premier League last season.
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    Kelleher, who was linked with Brentford earlier this summer, has largely been a cup goalkeeper and back-up to Alisson at Liverpool.
    Although he played in the Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea in 2022, he has only made 21 appearances for the club.
    The Republic of Ireland international has become a Champions League and Premier League winner with the Reds.
    He arrived at Anfield as a 16-year-old before progressing into the first-team.
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    Elsewhere, Wolves are set to bring Matt Doherty back to the club on a free transfer.
    The full-back is edging closer to completing a return after leaving Atletico Madrid following the expiry of his contract. More

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    You’ve got incredible hearing if you can work out former Man Utd’s star Jonny Evans’ next club from leaked clip

    JOHNNY EVANS’ next club may have accidentally been leaked online. The former Manchester United centre-back could leave Leicester after the Foxes were relegated last season.
    Jonny Evans could leave Leicester after their relegationCredit: Getty

    And footage of an Everton training session may have revealed that Evans, 35, is due to stay in the Premier League.
    During the six second clip, a voice off camera appears to say: “We’ve got Jonny Evans coming in.”
    And fans were also convinced as one said: “This is remarkable detective work.”
    Another added: “I’d take him …. Good work that.”
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    Further speculation was fuelled after Everton took the video down from social media.
    The Toffees beat the drop last season and look to add firepower to their squad this summer.
    United’s Anthony Elanga has been linked with a move over to Merseyside as Everton look to rival Nottingham Forest and clubs in Germany.
    Elanga, 21, could leave in search of more regular first team football having been limited to just five Premier League starts last season.
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    And according to the Daily Mail, Everton are set to enter talks with United over a deal for the winger.
    It comes after the Toffees came close to signing him on loan in January, only for their swoop to fall through.
    Elanga is under contract until 2026 but United have an option to extend the deal by a further year.
    Anthony Elanga is linked with EvertonCredit: Getty More

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    Inter Miami terminate contract of star to make space for Lionel Messi as they prepare to announce star’s arrival

    INTER Miami have terminated the contract of one of their stars to help make room for Lionel Messi.The Miami club beat Barcelona and Saudi Arabian sides to Messi’s signature by offering him a deal worth £830,000-a-week.
    Midfielder Rodolfo Pizzaro has had his contract terminated to make room for Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
    MLS rules dictate that each club can have only three designated players – so Pizzaro has been moved to make room for MessiCredit: Getty
    The wages will be partly paid for by third parties such as Apple, Adidas and the MLS.
    But before Messi joins, the club have been forced to terminate the contract of one of their stars to make room for the World Cup winner.
    The MLS rules dictate that each team can only have three ‘designated players’ which are stars that earn above the club’s salary cap.
    And to make room for the former Barcelona forward, Inter Miami have terminated the contract of attacking midfielder Rodolfo Pizzaro.
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    Pizzaro was one of three DPs alongside captain Gregore and forward Leonardo Campana.
    According to Transfermarkt’s Manuel Veth, Pizzaro will join Greek side AEK Athens on a free transfer.
    The 29-year-old played 15 times for Inter Miami this season, registering no goals and one assist.
    Messi will arrive to a struggling Inter Miami team who sacked head coach Phil Neville due to poor results last month.
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    Miami are currently rock bottom of the MLS table and sit 11 points off the league’s play-off places.
    There is no relegation in the MLS so Messi will not have to worry about soon playing for a second tier side.
    He is expected to make his debut for the club next week on July 21 when Miami play Mexican club Cruz Azul in the Leagues cup.
    The Leagues cup sees the top MLS sides face off against their Mexican Liga MX counterparts.
    There was speculation that Messi would play against Arsenal as part of the MLS all star team in a friendly on July 20.
    However, MLS comissioner Don Garber confirmed that the two international picks in the all star side would be Kei Kamara and Mathieu Choiniere – therefore ruling Messi out of the game. More

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    Man Utd fans convinced it’s not too late to hijack Declan Rice’s Arsenal transfer as they spot budding bromance

    DECLAN RICE’S Arsenal transfer is set to be finalised tomorrow.But some Manchester United fans are still dreaming of hijacking the move.
    Declan Rice is on the verge of joining ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Rice, 24, has agreed to join the Gunners in a club-record £105million deal.
    Arsenal beat off competition from Manchester City, agreeing to pay West Ham £100m by 2025 and a further £5m in bonuses.
    Rice and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta were both eager to get the deal done as soon as possible, ahead of the North Londoners’ pre-season tour of the US.
    The England midfielder has not been back at West Ham for training ahead of his Arsenal move.
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    He has instead been spotted working in Portugal with a trio of stars – including Bruno Fernandes.
    Rice was spotted training with the Man United ace in the Algarve, as well as AC Milan star Rafael Leao and Man City’s Joao Cancelo.
    He has also been seen interacting with Fernandes on Instagram.
    The in-demand star commented on the attacking midfielder’s Instagram post, which read: “Having fun and working hard with some ballers.”
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    Bruno Fernandes has spent time training with Rice this summerCredit: Getty
    Rice responded, alongside a fist-bump emoji and a heart: “Yessir.”
    He also posted “Stepping it up” on his own account, with Fernandes commenting with a pair of fist-bumps.
    Seeing the interactions between Rice and Fernandes, some United fans were determined to see their side try to hijack Arsenal’s swoop.
    One wrote: “So THIS is why Rice’s deal at Arsenal is stalling. He wants United.”
    While a second tweeted: “Cancel your Arsenal contract and come to a bigger club.”
    A third suggested: “Late steal?”
    And another commented: “Agent Bruno.”
    While a further social media user added: “Would’ve absolutely balled out in Manchester… but poor lad decided to go to a small club in London.”
    However they’re set to be disappointed with Sky Sports reporting West Ham have been assured the paperwork for the transfer will be finalised tomorrow.
    Fans have spotted social media interactions between Rice and FernandesCredit: INSTAGRAM More

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    Watch Tottenham star Harry Kane cough and sweat his way through spicy hot wing challenge as he talks about his future

    HARRY KANE coughed and sweated through a hot wing challenge as he was probed on his Tottenham career. The YouTube show Hot Ones sees celebrities interviewed by host Sean Evans as they eat progressively spicier wings and answer progressively tougher questions.
    Harry Kane answered questions on the YouTube show Hot OnesCredit: Youtube – First We Feast
    Celebs eat progressively spicier wings as they are asked progressively tougher questionsCredit: Youtube – First We Feast
    But host Sean Evans decided to swerve talking about Kane’s immediate futureCredit: Youtube – First We Feast
    The forward was asked about his career and whether he still wants to become an NFL kickerCredit: Youtube – First We Feast
    And given host Sean Evans history of asking tough questions, many were expecting him to ask one or two curve balls about Kane’s Tottenham future.
    But fans hoping for a pairing of hot food and tough questions would have been left disappointed by the video.
    The Spurs forward was not asked any questions about his Spurs future as it hangs in the balance this transfer window.
    Bayern Munich hold a concrete interest in the forward and have already had a bid of around £60million rejected.
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    A delegation from the German champions flew into London tonight for talks with Daniel Levy over a potential transfer.
    According to reports in Germany, Harry Kane has already agreed personal terms with the Bavarian club following meetings with Thomas Tuchel and senior club officials.
    PSG are also thought to be readying a bid for Kane as they look to back new manager Luis Enrique.
    Prior to the interview Kane admitted that he “wasn’t great” around spicy food and admitted it “wasn’t something I had a lot”.
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    The closest Kane and Evans came to talking about the forward’s future was when he was asked about his well-publicised ambition of becoming an NFL kicker after retiring.
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    Evans said: “I’m fascinated by your dream to one day be a field goal kicker in the NFL… I’m curious if you sympathise or empathise with the plight of the field goal kicker, a position that naturally lends itself to being defined by its biggest failures and lowest moments?”
    Kane said he sympathised with kickers because their field kicks drew comparisons with shooting from the penalty spot.
    He said: “In terms of specific positions in sport there’s not many roles like the kicker.
    “If you miss one, people will remember that forever so you have to stay good in those moments.”
    He then said: “It’s similar to a penalty, you have the moment to be a hero, or you have a moment to be a villain.”
    Kane famously scored and missed a penalty in England’s 2-1 defeat to France at last year’s World Cup so the comparison may have been a not so subtle allusion to that.
    When asked if he would pursue his goal of being a kicker he said: “We’ll see, maybe.”
    The forward held his own well during the interview, despite the ascending scoville factor of the wings not being in his favour.
    He did cough and splutter at one point, with the forward struggling particularly with a wing topped with ‘Abdoloco’ spice.
    He mentioned that his personal favourite goal was his debut strike for England against Lithuania.
    He said: “I think my favourite goal was my England debut goal, I came on for Wayne Rooney who was someone I looked up to.
    “I remember him running off the pitch and me running on and within three minutes of the game I scored my first goal.
    “The emotion in that moment was just something nice.
    “It was hard to describe, I had all my family there in the stadium, my friends, my wife Kate and to share that moment… I remember it so vividly now.”
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    Meanwhile, Tottenham look set to offer Kane a bumper contract to convince him to see out his career at the club.
    According to reports, he has been offered £400k-a-week plus a coaching role when he calls time on his career if he is to retire at the club. More