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    Former Chelsea and West Ham wonderkid chased by two Premier League sides ahead of January transfer window

    FULHAM and Crystal Palace are reportedly considering a January move for Sunderland midfielder Pierre Ekwah.Ekwah, 21, left West Ham’s academy to join the Black Cats in a permanent transfer in January.
    Crystal Palace and Fulham are interested in signing Pierre EkwahCredit: Getty
    He signed a four-and-a-half year deal upon his arrival at the Stadium of Light and has since made 35 first team appearances.
    But the Frenchman is already attracting interest from elsewhere.
    According to the Standard, both Fulham and Crystal Palace are exploring the possibility of a January swoop.
    Nottingham Forest are also understood to be interested.
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    However, Sunderland are determined to keep Ekwah beyond the upcoming transfer window.
    Fulham view the youngster as a potential long-term replacement for Joao Palhinha, who is expected to leave Craven Cottage soon despite signing a new contract.
    Meanwhile, signing a new midfielder is at the top of Roy Hodgson’s priority list.
    Ekwah was snapped up by Chelsea’s academy in 2018 following a year with Nantes.
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    He spent three years with the Blues before moving across London to West Ham in 2021.
    However, the midfielder decided to move on at the beginning of this year after failing to break into the first team. More

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    Arsenal chasing £52m-rated Sporting Lisbon star Goncalo Inacio after spate of defensive injuries

    ARSENAL are keeping tabs on Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio.However, SunSport understands the Gunners are unlikely to be active in the January window in terms of both incomings and outgoings.
    Arsenal are chasing a deal to sign Goncalo InacioCredit: Getty
    Mikel Arteta’s side have battled several injury issues already this season, especially in defence with full-backs Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu out until the new year.
    Arteta and Arsenal are content with the defensive options they currently have, and would only be prepared to spend again should another serious injury crop up.
    Yet having splashed the cash in the summer – forking out a combined £170m on Declan Rice and Kai Havertz – the North Londoners would prefer to stick rather than twist.
    Centre back duo William Saliba and Gabriel are fully fit for now, while Jakub Kiwior and Ben White also provide alternative solutions in that position.
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    However, Arteta is likely to prioritise reinforcements at the back in the summer with 22-year-old central defender Inacio someone the North Londoners are monitoring.
    Inacio made his senior Sporting debut as a teenager in October 2020 and has risen to become one of the most exciting prospects in the Primeira Liga.
    He has also broken into the Portugal national team under Roberto Martinez, earning his first cap back in March.
    Consequently, Inacio has a £52m release clause in a contract that expires in June 2027 and the Sporting are prepared to hold out for an offer close to that value.
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    The likes of Manchester United and Liverpool are also interested in the player, yet Sporting are expecting to keep hold of one of their prized assets until at least the summer.
    Tomiyasu and crocked midfielder Thomas Partey are targeting a January 7 return to face Liverpool in the FA Cup third round before heading off on international duty.
    Tomiyasu [calf] will represent Japan in the Asian Cup from mid-January, while Partey [thigh] could be away for a month as he competes in the African Cup of Nations for Ghana.
    Mohamed Elneny picked up a calf knock away at PSV in the Champions League group stages earlier this month but should also be back soon ahead of Egypt’s AFCON campaign.
    Timber – who has been out since August with an ACL injury – is hopeful of being involved in Arsenal’s Champions League last 16 first leg tie at Porto in mid-February. More

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    England wonderkid Ronnie Edwards set to seal dream January transfer with Premier League teams chasing £4.5million star

    ENGLAND Under-21 international Ronnie Edwards is certain to be sold by Peterborough next month.West Ham had two bids of around £4million turned down by Posh in the summer for their defender while Swansea failed with FOUR attempts.
    Wonderkid Ronnie Edwards appears set to leave PeterboroughCredit: PA
    Everton have also been watching Edwards and the League One promotion-chasers are expecting a fee of at least £4.5m.
    Yet potentially, they will also want more than double that actual fee in add-ons.
    Apart from clubs in the Premier League and Championship, there is also one club in Germany and one in Belgium interested in the centre-back.
    Rangers were also linked in the summer with Peterborough director Barry Fry revealing they had sent scouts to watch the youngster.
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    Edwards, 20, who started his career at Barnet, has already played 113 times for Peterborough and is contracted until 2025.
    Darren Ferguson’s side are currently second in League One and are unbeaten in five games although are seven points behind leaders Portsmouth.
    West Ham are set for a busy transfer window as David Moyes looks to address the weaknesses in his squad.
    Michail Antonio’s injury means the Hammers are desperate for more firepower up-front, with reports claiming they have targeted Montpellier striker Akor Adams.
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    They could also make an approach for Stuttgart defender Dan-Axel Zagadou – though that move could be dependent on the sale of Nayef Aguerd, who could leave for the right price.
    The Hammers could also bolster their defence with the addition of Chelsea outcast Ian Maatsen.
    Maatsen impressed on loan at Burnley in the Championship last season and the Clarets had a £30million bid rejected in the summer. More

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    Chelsea aim to beat Newcastle to big-money transfer of Salzburg ace Amar Dedic but could also face battle with Mourinho

    CHELSEA must beat off strong competition from former manager Jose Mourinho to land Bosnian wonderkid Amar Dedic.But Newcastle are also in the transfer tussle for the 21-year-old Red Bull Salzburg star.
    Amar Dedic is a transfer target for Chelsea, Newcastle and RomaCredit: Getty
    And Arsenal, Barcelona and Inter Milan have all made approaches for the exciting right-back, too.
    SunSport can now reveal Chelsea have been keeping a close eye on Dedic’s progress ahead of the January transfer window.
    The Blues sent a scout to all of his Champions League games this season – plus at least four league matches since November as well as Euro 2024 qualifiers for Bosnia.
    Similarly, Newcastle are tracking 12-cap Dedic and had someone in the stands at Red Bull Salzburg’s last three Champions League games plus a few Bosnia fixtures.
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    Toon want to add a versatile defender to provide cover and competition for Kieran Trippier and the left-backs when needed – especially if Lewis Hall ends up returning to Chelsea in the summer.
    And Eddie Howe could be boosted by the fact that Dedic has the same agent as Magpies ace Joelinton.
    Dedic is a versatile right-back who can play across the defence – including on the left – and is already the club captain.
    He came through the youth academy at Red Bull Salzburg and was on the club’s books when Erling Haaland spent two years with the Austrian giants before joining Borussia Dortmund – although Dedic was out on loan with Liefering throughout that time.
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    However, he is now impressing in the first team at the Red Bull Arena.
    And his performances prompted a £21.5million bid from Roma last summer, with Mourinho a huge fan and desperate to land him.
    Salzburg rejected the offer, though, and Dedic continues to be a key man in the team, helping Gerhard Struber’s side sit top of the Austrian Bundesliga once again.
    However, they face a tough task trying to keep hold of their rising star in 2024.
    Roma remain interested but could pull out of the chase because Mourinho’s current contract expires at the end of the season – and therefore the Serie A side will be hesitant to prioritise the Portuguese’s targets.
    Dedic signed a new contract in January, tying him down with the Austrian champions until 2027.
    The top talent has scored five and assisted three in 25 appearances this season – and is part of a defence that has conceded just ten goals in the league so far.
    Jose Mourinho is a huge fan of the right-backCredit: Getty
    Marc Cucurella or Kieran Trippier could have new competition for their placeCredit: Alamy More

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    Kalvin Phillips transfer saga takes twist as Juventus gain advantage over Newcastle due to Man City outcast’s demand

    KALVIN PHILLIPS’ latest transfer demand has given Juventus an advantage in the race to sign him.The Italian giants are the frontrunners to sign the Manchester City midfielder alongside Newcastle.
    Juventus have gained an advantage in the race to sign Kalvin PhillipsCredit: Getty
    However, they may now have moved ahead of the Magpies after a fresh twist in the transfer saga.
    According to The Telegraph, Phillips wants to be guaranteed playing time before choosing which club to join in January.
    The 28-year-old is keen to leave the Etihad Stadium after failing to break into Pep Guardiola’s side.
    He is eyeing consistent minutes, though, in order to establish himself in Gareth Southgate’s England plans ahead of the Euros.
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    Phillips’ demands appear set to give Juventus an advantage over Newcastle.
    The Serie A side are in need of a midfielder following long-term suspensions to Nicolo Fagioli and Paul Pogba.
    Although Newcastle themselves are without Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sean Longstaff have continued to feature in recent weeks.
    Joelinton did pick up an injury in Saturday’s win over Fulham, though, in a blow for Eddie Howe after Longstaff’s recent return to action.
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    Juventus have reportedly already opened talks with City over a potential deal, with Phillips understood to be open to the move.
    The Old Lady are eyeing an initial loan deal with an option to buy the City man in the summer.
    Since his £45million move from Leeds last summer, Phillips has struggled for consistent action.
    His woes have continued this term, with just 89 minutes of Premier League action and only two starts across all competitions. More

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    Casemiro ‘considering Man Utd transfer exit after receiving mega-money Saudi Arabia offer’

    CASEMIRO is weighing up an offer from Saudi Arabia and could leave Manchester United, according to reports.The Brazilian star has supposedly had his head turned by the lucrative proposal.
    Casemiro has a mega-money offer from Saudi Arabia to considerCredit: PA
    He has been aware of interest from the Middle East for some time but now has an offer to consider.
    It is unclear which Saudi club he could end up at.
    Casemiro, 31, is into just his second season at Old Trafford following his £70million move from Real Madrid.
    However, Man Utd are already open to cashing in on him.
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    But they accept they won’t get near to breaking even on the player, claim Marca.
    The midfielder has featured just 12 times this season, having been hit by several injury issues.
    There is hope he will be back in action soon after Christmas.
    Although Casemiro may not be the only Man Utd star heading to Saudi in January.
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    Director of football John Murtough has reportedly held talks with Saudi Pro League chiefs over three other players.
    Exiled winger Jadon Sancho is looking for an escape route since his fall out with Erik ten Hag and could head out of Europe should a good enough offer come in.
    Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial have also been put on up for sale. More

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    Julen Lopetegui holding out on Premier League job as he is linked with Man Utd manager role

    JULEN LOPETEGUI has revealed he is holding out for a managerial job in England.Lopetegui left Wolves in August due to a lack of backing in the transfer market despite an impressive record last season that kept the team in the top flight.
    Julen Lopetegui has revealed he is holding out for a manager job in the Premier LeagueCredit: Rex
    Since then the 57-year-old has continued to live in Wolverhampton, where he insisted he was “very, very happy” while speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Euro Leagues podcast.
    This is because he wants to continue his career in the Premier League.
    He confessed the desire in an interview with Sky Sports, in which he called English football culture “special” and also admitted he had already turned down jobs from overseas.
    He said: “It’s why I’ve said no to different countries and different situations because I would like to stay here in England. I feel like our team here is just starting and we want to achieve our dreams.
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    “The way the country lives football here is special – it’s the best league in the world, the most competitive league in the world, the best environment for the players, coaches and fans too.
    “I have fought for titles, I have fought for different aims but of course for the most important thing to feel like you have a project you can put your stamp on it, where you can work and improve the performance of the whole club.
    “If you ask me, I’d like this kind of challenge and to be able to achieve each aim the club has.
    “I have to be ready. When you accept a challenge, it’s not just about the players and the way you want to play…
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    “I think you have to understand where you are, what’s the culture of the club and the history too.”
    Reports last week claimed Lopetegui was “well placed” to replace Erik ten Hag as the boss of Manchester United.
    However, despite the Dutchman remaining in his post for the time being, Lopetegui is remaining patient.
    And it means he would have likely been gutted to see Nuno Espirito Santo appointed as boss of Nottingham Forest following the sacking of fan-favourite Steve Cooper.
    Lopetegui has previously managed the Spanish national team, Real Madrid and Sevilla, winning the Europa League with the latter. More

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    Tottenham step up Radu Dragusin transfer chase and are already in talks to hijack Man Utd’s top target

    TOTTENHAM have Genoa ace Radu Dragusin in their sights as they step up their search for a new centre-back.The Romanian was watched by Spurs scouts against his former club Juventus on Friday night.
    Radu Dragusin is being tracked by several Premier League clubsCredit: Getty
    Dragusin’s agent Florin Manea revealed this week he has had discussions with the North Londoners over his £26million-rated client.
    Manea said: “With Tottenham it was just a discussion about Radu. There is an interest from them, we will see what will happen in the next period.”
    Dragusin helped Genoa win promotion to Serie A last term, having joined from Juve in 2020.
    The 21-year-old is reportedly also on the radar of Manchester United and Arsenal.
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    He was signed by the Old Lady under Fabio Paratici, who went on to become Spurs’ managing director of football.
    Paratici stepped down from his role at Tottenham last April, but then went on to work for them on a consultancy basis and has been spotted at Spurs’ games this season.
    Bringing in a new recruit to the middle of defence is Tottenham’s top transfer priority when the window opens next month.
    A host of players are under consideration, including Bournemouth’s Lloyd Kelly and Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace. Though Everton’s Ben Godfrey is understood not to be a target.
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    Talks have already begun between Spurs and Nice over the possible signing of in-demand Jean-Clair Todibo, who is valued in the £30million-plus bracket.
    Left-back Ben Davies has been filling in for the injured Micky van de Ven since the Dutchman damaged his hamstring in the 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea at the start of November.
    While the disciplinary record of Van de Ven’s centre-back partner Cristian Romero means more depth in that area is even more of a necessity. More