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      Where Tottenham’s ‘Magnificent Seven’, including Soldado and Paulinho, who were signed with Bale money in 2013, are now

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      IN 2013, Spurs were forced to blow up their squad following the world-record sale of Gareth Bale to Real Madrid.The Welshman had scored 26 goals in the previous campaign, sweeping the Premier League’s various individual awards ahead of the likes of Luis Suarez and Eden Hazard.
      Spurs recruited the ‘Magnificent Seven’ in the summer of 2013
      Gareth Bale was unveiled at Real Madrid in September 2013Credit: AFP
      But there was a problem – Tottenham missed out on Champions League qualification by a point.
      Daniel Levy was bullish that he could keep his star asset, but Real Madrid turned on their charm offensive and it soon became just a matter of when, not if.
      So Spurs got busy, signing seven new players for more than £100million – as the line went, they’d ‘sold Elvis, and signed The Beatles’.
      But while Bale was off winning Champions League titles with Madrid, Spurs’ new signings were producing contrasting performances.
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      So let’s take a look at what became of the ‘Magnificent Seven’.
      ROBERTO SOLDADO – £26m
      Spurs thought that they had secured a prolific goalscorer in SoldadoCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      Soldado, 37, joined Levante from LaLiga rivals GranadaCredit: AFP OR LICENSORS
      Spaniard Soldado was probably the most exciting of the acquisitions, when he arrived from Valencia for £26m, fresh from wowing at the Confederations Cup and banging in 24 goals in LaLiga.
      Despite no lack of trying, his time at White Hart Lane was a disaster, however, as he only managed seven goals in 52 Premier League appearances – with five of them coming from the penalty spot.
      Levy did manage to squeeze £10m out of Villarreal for his services in 2015, and he has since played for Fenerbahce and Granada.
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      Now 37, he plays for Spanish second division side Levante – where he has 10 goals in 47 games across two seasons.
      PAULINHO – £17m
      The Brazilian struggled to make an impact at SpursCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Paulinho played for Saudi side Al-Ahli after reinventing himself in ChinaCredit: AFP or licensors

      Another that arrived off the back of a stellar Confederations Cup, Spurs fans thought they were getting ‘the Brazilian Frank Lampard’ when Paulinho arrived in N17.
      Initial performances were steady, with a late back-heeled winner at Cardiff prompting pandemonium among the travelling supporters.
      Things went downhill very quickly, however, with Paulinho being red carded in Andre Villas-Boas’ final game in charge, before becoming a nervous wreck barely capable of completing a five-yard pass by the end.
      He was offered a career lifeline by Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou Evergrande, where he became a big star – via a very strange, if not totally unsuccessful year at Barcelona.
      Paulinho, 34, linked up with Saudi side Al-Ahli but signed a deal with Corinthians in 2022.
      VLAD CHIRICHES – £8m
      The Romanian struggled to cut down on his mistakes at TottenhamCredit: Bradley Ormesher – The Sun
      A considerably scarier-looking Chiriches playing for Sassuolo in Serie ACredit: Reuters
      Fans were excited at Chiriches’ arrival, as they thought they’d unearthed a hidden gem from Steaua Bucharest, with a penchant for playing the ball out from the back.
      And while he was very laid back, it often proved to be to the team’s detriment, as his casual style tended to gift opponents easy goals, while leaving fans’ hearts in their mouths.
      Like Soldado and Paulinho, Chiriches lasted two seasons at the Lane, before being shipped off to Napoli.
      The Romanian managed just 48 appearances across four seasons at San Paulo, before joining Sassuolo on loan two years ago – before making it permanent for just shy of £10m.
      Last summer, he was snapped up by Cremonese – and at 33 still plays in Serie A.
      NACER CHADLI – £7m
      Chadli became a useful player in his three years at SpursCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      One of the more successful acquisitions of that summer, Chadli became a popular figure at Spurs despite an underwhelming start.
      The Belgian joined from FC Twente, having scored against Tottenham home and away in the 2010-11 Champions League campaign.
      But it was not until his second season that he really began to shine, scoring 13 goals as Mauricio Pochettino began to transform the club’s fortunes.
      He left for West Brom in 2017, eventually joining Istanbul Basaksehir in 2020, via stints at Monaco and Anderlecht.
      This season, the Turkish team loaned the now 33-year-old to Belgium side KVC Westerlo, who he has scored five goals in 23 games for.
      ETIENNE CAPOUE – £9m
      Etienne Capoue struggled to make a big impact at SpursCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      Capoue helped Villarreal beat Manchester United in the Europa League finalCredit: Getty – Pool
      Neither wildly awful nor outstandingly memorable, Capoue is possibly the most forgettable player of the seven.
      With Sandro having regressed due to knee injuries, Capoue initially seemed to be the perfect foil for Mousa Dembele in his place.
      But the Frenchman fell out of favour despite steady performances, although was hung out to dry following a few awful displays as a makeshift centre-back.
      He lasted one season beyond Pochettino’s arrival in 2014, before joining Watford.
      Capoue made 11 outings in the Championship in the first half of the 2020-21 season, before signing for Villarreal in the January transfer window.
      And his impact was immediate as he helped the Spanish side beat Manchester United in the Europa League final – the club’s first major trophy in their history.
      While he was also crucial in their Champions League run last season to the semi-final.
      CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – £11m
      Eriksen was a talismanic figure at Tottenham for more than six seasonsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Eriksen is now starring for Man UtdCredit: Getty
      Without doubt the most successful acquisition of that summer, Christian Eriksen was an outstanding, indispensable member of the squad for six years, before eventually departing for Inter Milan in January 2020.
      A bargain at £11m, the Dane, 31, papered over cracks during Tim Sherwood’s tenure, pulling out a brilliant goal or moment of genius time and time again to dig the team out of trouble.
      He then became vital to Pochettino’s side, so much so that they struggled to adapt whenever he was absent.
      Eriksen admitted his desire to ‘try something new’ after losing the 2019 Champions League final and joined Inter six months later.
      The playmaker helped Inter win the Serie A title last season, but his playing career hung in the balance after he suffered a cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
      However, he returned to the Premier League last season on a short term deal with Brentford.
      His excellent performances earned Eriksen a move to Man Utd, where he has enjoyed a stellar season this campaign, although injury reduced his appearances to 41 games.
      ERIK LAMELA – £30m
      Lamela joined Spurs just two days before Bale’s move to Madrid was confirmedCredit: Action Images – Reuters
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      Erik Lamela became the last of the ‘Magnificent Seven’ to depart North London for Spain.
      Argentine Lamela, 31, actually had a bizarre start at Spurs, starting just three league matches in his first season before disappearing back to his homeland following a back injury early on in Tim Sherwood’s tenure.
      He returned following his compatriot Pochettino’s arrival, wrestling for a starting berth before sustaining a troublesome hip injury in October 2016 that would keep him out for 13 months.
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      Lamela again recovered and returned to action – chipping in with 255 appearances before joining Sevilla in a swap deal with Bryan Gil heading in the opposite direction.
      His most memorable moment will be his ‘rabona’ strike in the 2-1 defeat against Arsenal, with his strike winning the Premier League Goal of the Season award. More

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      Erik ten Hag warns next Man Utd owners against Todd Boehly-like transfer splurge as he demands ‘the right personalities’

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      ERIK TEN HAG warned Manchester United’s prospective new owners not to blow it like Boehly.United are facing Chelsea on Thursday at Old Trafford, needing just a point to qualify for the Champions League.
      Erik ten Hag has urged Manchester United’s next owners not to overspend in the transfer marketCredit: Rex
      He wants to avoid a situation like Chelsea after Todd Boehly’s scattergun spendCredit: AFP
      Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to purchase Manchester UnitedCredit: PA
      Sheikh Jassim is also in the running to buy the club
      They take on a club in crisis since American businessman Todd Boehly’s takeover last May, which saw a £600million-plus scattergun transfer splurge.
      He is also on his third manager — with the fourth arriving this summer in the form of Mauricio Pochettino.
      Meanwhile, the Blues have slumped to 12th  in the league,  winning only one of their last 12 games and losing eight.
      United stand on the verge of returning to the Champions League — but are also the subject of a takeover battle between Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim.
      READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
      Yet their plans for the future are not clear and boss Ten Hag agreed Chelsea under Boehly was an example of how it can all go wrong.
      The Dutchman said: “You have to do the right things. You can have money but  have to  spend it in a smart way, and you need to have a strategy behind it — otherwise the money doesn’t work.”
      United’s strategy has improved under football director John Murtough, in tandem with Ten Hag.
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      The Red Devils manager said: “We are now in a good direction — but we can also learn from this season.
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      “We must evaluate that after the season and make the right conclusions for the future.”
      The pair are already working on transfer targets for next season, with Tottenham’s Harry Kane top of the list.
      They have also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Neymar, which was put to Ten Hag yesterday.
      Harry Kane is a top summer transfer target of the clubCredit: Getty
      The Red Devils have also been linked with NeymarCredit: Getty
      He replied: “When we have news, we will tell you.”
      That should not be seen as a teaser suggesting they are in for the Brazilian forward, it is a standard answer from the boss on transfers.  
      Indeed, having had their fingers burnt with the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, that is the sort of Galactico transfer they are trying to avoid.
      Ten Hag said: “I want players with the right personalities who are outstanding and contribute on the highest levels  — that is what we want.”
      A return to the Champions League is now seen as a  big step for United. A long way away from the time when they reached three finals of the competition, from 2008 to 2011.
      Indeed, since that last one they have not got past the quarter-finals . . . when they have qualified.
      Ten Hag said: “We  stepped up but have a long way to go.”
      Across town, it has been a different story as Manchester City stand on the brink of emulating the Red Devils’ Treble heroics of 1999.
      Ten Hag is yet to congratulate City’s Pep Guardiola personally on the first leg of that being achieved with title glory.
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      But he said: “I will take this opportunity to congratulate him —  the way they won is a demonstration of football.
      “Everyone likes the way they play, so attractive, so brilliant.”United hope to have Marcus Rashford back fit tonight after missing two games. More

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      Mason Mount ‘leaning towards Man Utd transfer’ with star set to snub Arsenal and Liverpool if Chelsea sell

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      MASON MOUNT is “leaning” towards Manchester United as his preferred next club, reports suggest. It comes after United were said to be preparing a £55million bid for the 24-year-old this summer.
      Mason Mount could be on his way out of Chelsea this yearCredit: Getty
      The Athletic report Mount is “leaning” towards an Old Trafford move, with talks between Chelsea and Man Utd set to commence in due course.
      Rival suitors Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are also said to be aware of the England International’s preference.
      Mount has been stalling on a new contract with his deal at Stamford Bridge set to expire next season.
      Ahead of Chelsea’s Thursday trip to Old Trafford to face the Red Devils, Blues boss Frank Lampard remained coy when speaking on Mount’s future.
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      He said: “I don’t know [his future].
      “That’s not my answer to make. That’s between Mason and the club.”
      Incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino reportedly wants Mount as part of his project going forward.
      Chelsea hopes this will help to convince the Cobham Academy graduate that his future lies in West London.
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      Despite United’s interest, the ongoing ownership saga will need to be resolved before a deal can be put tangibly put into place.
      Mount is also far from the top of United’s priority list, with a new striker and central defender the most pressing issues for Erik ten Hag’s squad.
      The creative midfielder has struggled with both fitness and form this campaign.
      Indeed, just three goals and two assists in the Premier League – while adding four assists in the Champions League – is far from Mount’s usual highs.
      His best goal-involvement return in a single season at Stamford Bridge came in the 2021/22 season when he struck 13 goals and added 16 assists.
      Here’s how Mount has performed this season More

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      Generous Roberto Firmino gave Liverpool pals, staff and friends 200 personalised gift boxes including his own perfume

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      LIVERPOOL hero Roberto Firmino bid farewell to the Merseysiders with a personal gift to express his gratitude ahead of his imminent exit.The Reds announced Firmino will be departing Anfield in June when his contract expires after eight successful years at the Kop, where he won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.
      Liverpool hero Roberto Firmino bid farewell with an emotional giftCredit: Alamy
      The striker, 31, held a farewell party on Sunday and handed out 200 personalised gift boxes to team-mates, club employees, friends and family.
      The box included a signed Liverpool shirt with ‘With Love Bobby’ stitched on the front, as well as ‘Si Senor’ in the neck, as a nod to Reds supporters’ song for the fan favourite.
      The gifts also contained a bottle of his own perfume, which he branded ‘FIRMINO’.
      There was also a big card with a timeline of all his Liverpool achievements.
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      German Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg tweeted: “He [Firmino] prepared 200 gift boxes for his farewell.
      “He gave them to his guests on Sunday evening in Liverpool – including club employees, team-mates, friends and family.

      “The gifts included a special shirt signed by him and a specially created perfume by Firmino.
      “The party was very emotional. Talks with potential new clubs will start now.
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      Excl. 🎥 #Firmino: He prepared 200 gift boxes for his farewell. He gave them to his guests on Sunday evening in Liverpool – including club employees, teammates, friends and family. The gifts included a special shirt signed by him and a specially created perfume by Firmino.… pic.twitter.com/4i6gleHaOI— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) May 24, 2023

      “Out of respect for Liverpool, he has so far not considered other teams.”
      Firmino received an emotional standing ovation from the Liverpool fans and a guard of honour from his team-mates on his last ever game at Anfield on Saturday.
      The Brazilian commemorated his final Kop appearance with an important equaliser that kept the team’s slim Champions League hopes alive during a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
      The ex-Hoffenheim star then left the pitch in tears while the crowd continued to chant his name. More

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      Keylor Navas set to stay in Premier League but not with Nottingham Forest as two Big Six clubs plot transfer

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      KEYLOR NAVAS is set to stay in the Premier League – but not with Nottingham Forest.That’s as reports suggest TWO clubs in the Big Six are eyeing a move for the former Real Madrid stopper.
      Navas would be open to staying in the Premier League next seasonCredit: Getty
      Navas joined Steve Cooper’s side on loan in January having lost his place in the Paris Saint-Germain starting XI to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
      The 36-year-old has made 17 appearances and played a huge role in Forest’s successful Premier League survival bid.
      And, according to Foot Mercato, the Costa Rica international would like to extend his stay in England once his temporary deal ends.
      The reports adds that his high salary and ambitions mean he is unlikely to return to Forest.
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      Chelsea, Tottenham, Brentford and Leicester have been linked with a move for the shot stopper with all four clubs needing to sign a goalkeeper this summer.
      Chelsea are in the market for a new stopper with the club open to the departure of both Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy.
      London rivals Spurs are looking for a new number one as they seek a replacement for Hugo Lloris while Brentford are set to lose their number 1 David Raya.
      And Leicester would need to stay up to stand any chance.
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      Navas is out of contract at PSG at the end of next season and wants the chance to win the Champions League with a new team.
      Speaking to Canal+ he said: ” I feel capable of playing in any team.
      “And we will see, in the future, what’s going on.”
      He added: “If I have to go back and play, I feel capable of winning the Champions League with PSG.
      “When I was there, we had the opportunity. We played in a final that the club had never reached before.”
      Navas joined PSG from Real Madrid in the summer of 2019 and has made 71 appearances for the French giants.
      The former Madrid keeper was a regular for the Parisians in his first three seasons at the club before they signed Donnarumma on a free from AC Milan.
      He’s had a decorated career to date winning three Champions League titles with Real Madrid alongside to Ligue 1 titles with PSG. More

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      West Ham targeting TWO relegation-battling stars including England international to bolster attack after goal-shy season

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      WEST HAM have identified Leeds midfielder Jack Harrison and Leicester’s Harvey Barnes as summer transfer targets.Leeds and Leicester are sat in the bottom three going into the final weekend, with the latter needing to beat West Ham if they are to have any chance of surviving.
      Jack Harrison is being targeted by West HamCredit: Alamy
      With Harvey Barnes also on the Irons wishlistCredit: Getty
      David Moyes wants to bolster his ranks of homegrown talentCredit: Getty
      Foxes winger Barnes is being tracked by David Moyes as well as Premier League rivals Aston Villa.
      The 25-year-old is expected to leave whether Leicester beat relegation or not.
      Though dropping to the Championship would see the Foxes have to drop their £50million asking price.
      Barnes has 12 goals and one assist in 33 Premier League appearances this campaign, impressive numbers given the struggles at the King Power this season.
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      Harrison, 26, has four goals and seven assists for Leeds, who face Tottenham on the final day having lost 3-1 to West Ham on Sunday.
      The Hammers are looking to add players ready to hit the ground running in the Premier League this summer after a season where a number of arrivals from abroad have taken too long to settle.
      Lucas Paqueta has hit form in recent weeks but took a long time to get used to the Premier League.
      Meanwhile, Gianluca Scamacca and Thilo Kherer have also struggled.
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      Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse has been identified as a potential target.
      However, West Ham are waiting to hear how much the relegated Saints will demand for the midfielder.
      Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha has also emerged as a target to replace Declan Rice, who is being chased by Arsenal and Manchester United this summer.
      The Cottagers would be reluctant to let the Portuguese leave after just one season at the club, though they could be tempted by an offer of £50m.
      West Ham, so far, have indicated they’d be prepared to pay around £40m. More

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      Russell Martin agrees to become new Southampton manager on three-year deal after Ruben Selles exit

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      RUSSELL MARTIN has agreed a three-year deal to become Southampton’s new manager.The Saints are set to announce the 37-year-old in the coming days following their confirmation that current boss Ruben Selles will leave after Sunday’s game against Liverpool.
      Swansea boss Russell Martin has agreed to take over as Southampton bossCredit: PA
      It is not clear whether Martin will be in attendance at St Mary’s for Southampton’s final Premier League game as he prepares to take them in the Championship next season.
      The Saints turned to Martin, who led Swansea to a 10th-placed finish this term, after Manchester City assistant Enzo Maresca turned the role down.
      Martin had already verbally agreed to take the role earlier this week, leaving Southampton to agree a £400,000 compensation package with Swansea.
      The Saints are expected to have to pay further compensation to bring Martin’s coaching staff to the south coast.
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      The club confirmed that Selles would not be continuing in his role, with the Spaniard having made clear he only wanted to stay on as manager.
      A statement read: “Southampton Football Club can confirm that it has held conversations with Men’s First Team Manager, Ruben Selles, and decided that his contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of the season.
      “The club wants to place on record its thanks to Ruben for taking on the managerial position at a difficult time for the club and for giving his all as we attempted to stay in the Premier League.
      “Ruben will take charge of the team for the final game against Liverpool on Sunday at St Mary’s. We wish him all the best for his future career.”
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      Martin’s managerial career kicked off in 2019 as he took over MK Dons just after retiring from football at the age of 33 while playing at Stadium MK.

      The Scotsman spent two years with the Dons and won 31 out of 80 matches, of which he lost 32.
      The former centre-back joined Swansea in 2021 where he has won 36 out 99 games, of which he has lost 37. More

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      Struggling Man Utd signing is on ‘borrowed time’ as Dwight Yorke claims his spell has been ‘a mystery’

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      DWIGHT YORKE believes Jadon Sancho is on “borrowed time” at Manchester United.The winger cost £73million when he was signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2021.
      Jadon Sancho is on ‘borrowed time’ at Man Utd after being a ‘mystery’ playerCredit: Getty
      Dwight Yorke reckons Sancho has not lived up to his £73m price tagCredit: Getty
      But Sancho has missed swathes of his two seasons with injuries.
      And he has just 11 goals in 76 games under three different managers.
      Reports now claim Erik ten Hag is running out of patience with the wide-man.
      United’s Dutch gaffer hopes to bring in at least one new forward this summer.
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      And Sancho could be sacrificed as United also look to raise funds for a midfielder.
      One man who believes “mystery” Sancho faces an exit is former United striker and Treble icon Yorke.
      He reckons there’s every chance Sancho will be cast aside this summer for a replacement signing.
      And even if Sancho stays, he will have to quickly prove himself or else risk being dumped in the window after.
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      Yorke told the Mirror: “It’s one of a mystery really. He had so much potential and hope for the likes of Man Utd.
      “Huge investment, really did an amazing job when he was at Dortmund.
      “Somehow the transition from there to Manchester hasn’t really worked out in the way that we all thought it might for him.
      “Really struggled, whether it’s from a mental point of view, which seems to be well documented. He hasn’t really lived up to the price tag.
      “So yeah he’s on borrowed time, I suppose, if you have to be fair in many respects.
      “He hasn’t really produced the goods that we expect of him.” More