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    Mac Allister breaks down in tears in final Brighton game as De Zerbi all-but confirms two players’ transfer exits

    BRIGHTON boss Roberto De Zerbi has admitted that star duo Alex Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo are set to leave the club.The Seagulls signed off their campaign with a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa this afternoon.
    Both Brighton’s Alexis Mac Alliste and Moises Caicedo look set to leaveCredit: AFP
    Roberto De Zerbi comforted Alexis Mac Allister as he burst into tears after the defeat at VillaCredit: Getty
    However, they are still celebrating after securing a sixth-place finish and Europa League football next term.
    Midfield duo Mac Allister, 24, and Caicedo, 21, have both played a key role in that success and have a host of top clubs chasing their services.
    And their manager is resigned to losing the pair of them once the transfer window re-opens.
    Speaking after the Villa loss, De Zerbi said: “I think it can be the last game of Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo.
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    “I think it is right they can leave, change team and play at a higher level.”
    Mac Allister was spotted in tears after the defeat at Villa after seemingly playing his final game for the club.
    He has been linked with an array of top clubs following his superb World Cup winning exploits with Argentina.
    The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to Liverpool for a long time and is said to be very close to completing his transfer to Merseyside.
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    Chelsea have also been reported as interested in the midfielder, but may struggle to attract him without European football while Man City have allegedly joined the chase to sign him. 
    Mac Allister has scored 10 goals and assisted a further two in the league this season and will likely command a huge fee if he does leave Brighton, with his contract not due to expire until 2025.
    Ecuadorian Caicedo helped the Seagulls secure Europa League football on Wednesday evening after a 1-1 draw with Manchester City.
    He had been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in the January transfer window, but Brighton clung on to their man.
    He then penned a new deal to keep him on the South Coast until 2027. But he is still expected to leave Brighton at the end of the season as both Chelsea and Arsenal circle for his signature.
    Moises Caicedo has played a huge role in helping Brighton seal European footballCredit: Getty More

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    Ten Hag gives Rashford outrageous goal target for next year as Man Utd look to step up transfer talks for Harry Kane

    ERIK TEN HAG has set Marcus Rashford a 40-goal target for next season at Manchester United.The 25-year-old has become the first Red Devils star to find the net 30 times in a campaign since Robin van Persie achieved that feat a decade ago.
    Marcus Rashford has been set a huge 40-goal target by Erik ten Hag for next seasonCredit: Getty
    However, his manager has instantly challenged him to not only repeat that feat but produce even more next term despite ramping up efforts to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
    United are desperate for a new No.9, and The Telegraph claims that they are “expected to step up their pursuit” of the England captain this summer.
    But even if they land Spurs’ all-time record scorer, who reached 30 top-flight goals for the campaign on the final day win at Leeds, Ten Hag still thinks Rashford can be even more prolific.
    He said: “I think yes. There’s a lot of room for improvement in his game.
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    “I am convinced he can score even more. When you take, for instance, the last ten games he didn’t score many goals. I think only two or three, so yes he can improve.
    “I am happy from what he did last season to now that he brings himself back. We supported him where we could, with the way we play but also in his mental mindset.
    “We are happy with that, but we must push him more. I think he’s capable of scoring 40 goals in a season. So for him that’s the next step.”
    Even though Rashford has enjoyed a stunning campaign in front of goal, Ten Hag admitted that he still wants to add more firepower to his frontline.
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    He added: “Across the squad we need more scoring abilities. 
    “You can’t be dependent on one. But it can also come from this squad.” More

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    Jude Bellingham hands out farewell gifts at Dortmund training ground ahead of stunning Real Madrid transfer

    JUDE BELLINGHAM has been saying his final goodbyes at Borussia Dortmund ahead of his reported summer transfer to Real Madrid.The England international could only watch on as his team-mates missed out on the Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich as he was an unused substitute as he comes off the back of a knee injury.
    Jude Bellingham has reportedly been saying his farewells at Borussia DortmundCredit: TWITTER
    Gifting a pair of signed boots to one staff memberCredit: TWITTER
    But that did not stop him from wanting to leave the club in a positive manner.
    According to Ruhr Nachrichten BVB, the midfielder went around the Dortmund training ground to say his farewells.
    Bellingham, 19, also handed gifts out to the staff while having his last conversations with them as a Dortmund player.
    The report also suggests that he spoke with managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke before leaving.
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    Among these gifts was a reported pair of boots which were given to one staff member with the message “thank you” written on them.
    On Saturday, Bayern Munich made it 11 Bundesliga crowns in a row on goal difference after Dortmund were held 2-2 at home by Mainz.
    In the aftermath, Bellingham shoved a camera out of the way as he was visibly emotional after the disappointment.
    And as Bellingham went on the pitch to thank fans afterwards, some interpreted his forlorn wave as a sign of his imminent parting.
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    According to Bild, his personal terms at Madrid have already been agreed.
    Under the contract, the Englishman will stay with Madrid until 2029 with a pay package worth more than £17million-a-year.
    However, the report adds the only thing left to be hashed out is the fee between the clubs.
    But according to Marca, a “definitive” move to Real Madrid could come to fruition in the coming days.
    With the report also suggesting that Bellingham has snubbed moves to the Premier League in favour of a switch to the Spanish capital. More

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    Emotional Theo Walcott announces Southampton exit aged 34 and reveals his future plans

    THEO WALCOTT has announced his Southampton exit in an emotional social media post.The forward began his career with Saints as a 16-year-old before moving to Arsenal.
    Theo Walcott is leaving Southampton this summerCredit: Getty
    After a stint at Everton he returned to St Mary’s, initially on loan, in October 2020.
    Walcott, 34, will now leave his boyhood club for a second time – but does NOT intend to retire.
    Ahead of today’s Prem dead rubber against Liverpool, he wrote: “Today marks my last appearance in a Saints shirt and I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone at @SouthamptonFC it’s a fantastic club with incredible people.
    “I am really disappointed for the fans that we weren’t able to stay in the Premier League this season, but I am certain the club will be back there again soon.
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    “Thanks to all of you for your support right back to my debut aged 16 years old.
    “I would like to wish the team and fans every success for the future.
    “My aim is to continue playing and I’m looking forward to the next challenge…”
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    Walcott, now 34, began his career at St Mary’s aged 16Credit: Getty
    Walcott became a bit-part player at Southampton this season, starting just 12 Prem games.
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    He scored two goals this term, in 3-3 draws against former side Arsenal and old foes Tottenham.
    The winger made 81 appearances across his two spells at St Mary’s, scoring 10 goals.
    Walcott earned 47 England caps during his pomp, scoring eight times.
    While he spent the bulk of his club career at the Emirates, scoring 108 goals and laying on 80 assists in 397 outings for the Gunners.
    Walcott joined Arsenal as a teen in 2006Credit: PA More

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    Barcelona launch record transfer move for Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes with Eddie Howe already looking at replacements

    BARCELONA want to sign Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes this summer, according to reports.The Catalan giants believe that the Brazilian ace can help catapult them back into Champions League contention.
    Bruno Guimaraes arrived at Newcastle in a £43m deal in January 2022Credit: Reuters
    Selling Guimaraes would help Newcastle further strengthen their squad within the parameters of Financial Fair Play.
    And they would expect to command a club-record fee for a sale should they let him depart.
    According to The Times, Barca accept that Guimaraes is likely to cost around £87million to prise away from the Toon.
    Newcastle signed Guimaraes from Lyon for a then-club record £43m in January 2022.
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    He has since helped Eddie Howe transform his side from relegation strugglers into top four occupiers.
    Guimaraes, 25, has three years remaining on his Newcastle contract and it is not a given that he will leave this summer.
    But Toon scouts are performing due diligence by assessing potential replacements regardless.
    Magpies chiefs hope to entice Guimaraes into staying by offering him an improved new contract.
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    Upon sealing qualification for next season’s Champions League, Guimaraes talked up Newcastle’s chances of winning “titles” in the coming years.
    He said: “I am ambitious. This is something I have been since I remember: to have ambition and challenge myself.
    “When I signed, people say, ‘You are crazy to sign for a team who could play in the Championship next season.’ But here we are and we have Champions League one year after.
    “I think the challenge will be bigger than next year. I think the team has to have a goal of Champions League, not to go now and then not for ten years.
    “We have to get used to being there. Like in the Carabao Cup final, we have to get used to going there.
    “I think this is the ambition – fight for titles. The club deserves titles. Because of that I am here.”
    Howe, meanwhile, talked down the possibility of Newcastle splurging on numerous new players after finishing in the top four.
    He said: “We don’t have the ability to spend the money people will think we have, so we’re going to have to be very smart.
    “It’ll be a small group of players, but ones we think can make a difference.”
    Eddie Howe has guided Newcastle into the Champions LeagueCredit: PA More

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    Managerless Chelsea ‘set to beat Prem rivals and PSG to seal deal for £52m Sporting Lisbon star next week’

    CHELSEA are the front-runners to sign Sporting Lisbon star Manuel Ugarte, according to reports.Despite splashing out over £500million on players this season, the Blues are set to continue to bolster their bloated squad this summer.
    Manuel Ugarte reportedly wants to come to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty
    Ugarte, 22, is in high demand after his brilliant performances for Sporting.
    And according to Uruguayan reporter Franco Fernandez, the defensive midfielder could join Chelsea as early as next week.
    Ugarte’s current deal is understood to possess a £52million release clause, which the Blues would be expected to trigger.
    He is claimed to want to play in the Premier League, and is reportedly on the cusp of agreeing a six-year contract with Chelsea.
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    Ugarte has also attracted interest from the West Londoners’ Premier League rivals Liverpool.
    While Paris Saint-Germain would love to bring him to the French capital.
    Chelsea raided the Portuguese top flight to sign Benfica starlet Enzo Fernandez in January.
    The Blues forked out a British record £107m to secure the Argentine’s services.
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    Ugarte started out at Uruguayan club Fenix, before moving to Portuguese side Famalicao.
    Following just six months at Famalicao he signed for Sporting in the summer of 2021.
    He has so far made 85 appearances for the Portuguese giants, while also earning eight caps for Uruguay.
    Ugarte has featured against Arsenal and Tottenham in European competitions this season, although he was left on the bench for Sporting’s league match against Vizela on Friday, amid transfer speculation. More

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    Italy star who scored against England ‘offered to Premier League sides for bargain £14m transfer’

    ITALY’S new No 9 Mateo Retegui is being offered round Premier League clubs in a “bargain” deal.Retegui, 24, scored against England in March but his club future is in doubt as he is on loan at Argentine side Tigre from Boca Juniors.
    Retegui could be sold for just £14m this summerCredit: AFP
    Tigre have an option to buy a percentage of Retegui for around £8million but he is on offer for Prem teams to buy at £14m.
    That is still a low sum with Boca willing to deal.
    Retegui has scored 11 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
    He received his first senior international call-up in March ahead of Italy’s Euro 2024 qualifiers and scored on his debut in a 2-1 defeat to England.
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    The striker netted again in a 2-0 win over Malta just three days later.
    Despite Retegui’s international allegiance to Italy, the Boca Juniors loanee had never played or lived in the country before he was called up to the national team.
    He was also unable to speak the language.
    The striker grew up in Argentina and his only connection with Italy is through his maternal grandmother.
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    As a child he was on the books of River Plate before joining Boca Juniors in 2016.
    He has since been loaned out three times.
    Retegui is already on the radar of several European clubs.
    Leeds United are understood to be interested in signing him, but the Whites face competition from both AC and Inter Milan for his signature.
    Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt are also monitoring the striker. More

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    Wilfried Zaha offered £10MILLION a season to quit Crystal Palace and snub fellow Premier League sides in transfer window

    WILFRIED ZAHA is wanted by Qatari side Al Sadd — and will be offered about £10million a year to sign.The super-rich outfit are prepared to throw fortunes at free-agent Zaha, who has yet to agree terms at Crystal Palace as he considers his options.
    Wilfried Zaha is a target for Qatar giants Al SaddCredit: Reuters
    He was in Dubai on a break last week after his season was ended by injury, a hamstring tear that may take a couple of months to recover from.
    The Ivory Coast international, 30, is still hoping for a bigger club to come in from England or Europe.
    But the injury has come at a bad time for him as he looks for a final major pay day.
    Palace want an answer as they have lined up possible moves for Brazilian youngster Matheus Franca and Sunderland winger Jack Clarke if Zaha and his big wages are out of their budget.
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    The Eagles also hope to sign Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma on a free this week — with James McArthur’s Selhurst Park career ending and Luka Milivojevic leaving.
    Stoke plan to buy Palace midfielder Killian Phillips, 21, after he impressed for neighbours Shrewsbury.
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    Alex Neil is keen on the industrious prospect and wants to sign him permanently following a good loan spell with Shrews in League One.
    Coventry and Luton like Phillips too but are more interested in loan arrangements.
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