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    Chelsea ‘set astonishing £20million asking price for transfer of forgotten man who’s NEVER played in Premier League’

    CHELSEA are prepared to sell forgotten man Ian Maatsen this summer, according to reports.Maatsen, 21, joined the Blues’ youth setup in 2018 and made his professional debut the following year in a League Cup win over Grimsby Town.
    Burnley want to sign Maatsen on a permanent dealCredit: Getty
    However, following his 24-minute cameo, the Dutchman failed to establish himself as a regular name in the first team.
    He was subsequently loaned out to Charlton, Coventry and, most recently, Burnley, where he enjoyed a successful 2022-23 campaign.
    Clarets boss Vincent Kompany is a known admirer of Maatsen, so much so that he is determined to keep him at Turf Moor beyond the expiry of his loan.
    According to The Evening Standard, Burnley want to sign the left-back on a permanent deal this summer.
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    However, they are reluctant to meet Chelsea’s £20million asking price.
    Maatsen has just one year remaining on his current Chelsea contract, but he could sign an extension before returning to Burnley next season.
    The Blues may also decide to keep the full-back, with Marc Cucurella’s future uncertain due to the imminent arrival of Mauricio Pochettino.
    As well as Maatsen and Cucurella, Chelsea also have Ben Chilwell and Lewis Hall to cover the position.
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    Maatsen made 42 appearances for Burnley last season and played a crucial role in helping the club to the Championship title.
    The Dutchman won the Championship Player of the Month award in January for his impressive form. More

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    Tottenham ‘reach verbal agreement with Ange Postecoglou as Celtic manager prepares to sign two-year contract’

    TOTTENHAM are on the verge of confirming Ange Postecoglou as the club’s new first team manager.Last week, SunSport exclusively revealed that the 57-year-old was in advanced talks with Spurs officials.
    Postecoglou has reached a verbal agreement with TottenhamCredit: Alamy
    And according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the two parties have now reached a verbal agreement.
    Postecoglou is set to sign a two-year deal with the option to extend for a further season, so he could remain in north London until June 2026.
    Celtic are expected to hold discussions with Tottenham this week, but the Scottish Premiership champions have already resigned to losing the Aussie.
    And due to his rolling one-year contract at Celtic Park, there will be no hefty compensation to pay.

    SunSport revealed the Aussie wants Celtic No2 John Kennedy to join him in London.
    Fellow coach Gavin Strachan as well as one of the first-team’s video analysts are also expected to make the move south.
    Postecoglou’s appointment will mark the end of Tottenham’s three-month search for a manager.
    Former boss Antonio Conte left the club in March following an astonishing rant about his players.
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    The Italian’s ex-assistant Cristian Stellini was appointed interim manager for the remainder of the season shortly after his departure, but he was sacked after just four games.
    Ryan Mason then took the reigns and has been at the helm as acting head coach ever since.
    During their search for a new permanent manager, the Lilywhites have been linked with Julian Nagelsmann, Xabi Alonso, Arne Slot, Thomas Frank and Simone Inzaghi.
    Spurs decided against appointing Nagelsmann at the beginning of May, while Alonso and Slot both ruled themselves out of the running. More

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    Moises Caicedo ‘agrees terms’ over Premier League transfer as Arsenal and Chelsea battle it out for Brighton star

    BRIGHTON star Moises Caicedo has “agreed personal terms” with Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window, reports suggest.The Gunners have been targeting Caicedo since January when they tabled a £70million bid, which was rejected by the Seagulls after the player issued a transfer request.
    Brighton star Moises Caicedo has “agreed personal terms” with ArsenalCredit: Rex
    Arsenal target Caicedo has also been eyed by Chelsea and LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    The North Londoners have maintained their interest but have been facing competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.
    According to TERADEPORTES, however, the midfielder has reached a verbal agreement with Mikel Arteta’s side who are looking to strengthen in midfield with Granit Xhaka likely to leave.
    The same report claims Arsenal pose as the Ecuador international’s preferred destination.
    That is because the Premier League runner-ups will be playing in the Champions League next season.
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    However, Chelsea are looking to hijack their rivals’ deal, just like they did with Mykhailo Mudryk in January, as they are willing to table a higher bid.
    However, the Blues won’t be playing in Europe this coming season after a torrid campaign that saw them finishing 12th.
    Liverpool are also keeping tabs but don’t consider Caicedo as a priority.
    That is because the Reds are not willing to meet the 21-year-old asking price, which is said to be “well in excess” of the £70m Arsenal submitted in January.
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    This comes after the Merseysiders pulled out of the race for Borussia Dortmund superstar Jude Bellingham as they refused to meet his £100m-plus release clause.
    Jurgen Klopp’s side now looks close to strengthening in midfield with Caicedo’s Brighton team-mate Alexis Mac Allister.
    The Ecuadorian stood out this season as he helped Robert De Zerbi’s side finish sixth and qualify for the Europa League. More

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    Newcastle fans desperate to sign Szoboszlai after spotting his ‘incredible s***housery’ following Cup triumph

    NEWCASTLE fans have urged their Saudi owners to do everything in their power to sign RB Leipzig ace Dominik Szoboszlai after some hilarious “s***housery” in the German Cup Final.Szoboszlai helped Leipzig win the Cup on Saturday as Marco Rose’s side beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
    RB Leipzig ace Dominik Szoboszlai has been linked with a move to NewcastleCredit: Getty
    An Eintracht Frankfurt fan addressed Szoboszlai with a rude gesture
    But Szoboszlai silenced him by simply showing him his winners’ medal
    Newcastle fans now want the club to sign Szoboszlai after his hilarious “s***housery”
    The playmaker sealed the win five minutes before full-time thanks to an assist by Christopher Nkunku, who opened the scoring earlier.
    Following the full-time whistle, the Hungary international picked up his winners’ medal and approached the touchline.
    That is where an Eintracht fan addressed the 22-year-old with a rude gesture.
    But Szoboszlai kept his composure and simply retorted by showing his gold medal to the rowdy fan while grinning from ear to ear.
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    This comes amid transfer rumours linking the Hungarian with a move to Newcastle, who may have to splash a club record £60million for his signature this summer.
    However, a section of the fans have decided that will be money well spent for the ex-Red Bull Salzburg star after watching him silence that fan.
    Some are even desperate to see him play alongside another Newcastle hardman in Jacob Murphy.
    One fan tweeted: “Bring this incredible s***house to my already s***house football club right now.”
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    Another commented: “Dynamic duo [with Murphy] incoming.”
    A third said: “Szoboszlai and Jacob Murphy together would be Mayhem.”
    This fan stated: “Him and Jacob Murphy on the same pitch is my dream.”
    And that one wrote: “He will do for me , love it.” More

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    Kante set for transfer talks to link up with Benzema at new club as ‘chiefs fly to London for meeting with Chelsea ace’

    CHELSEA midfielder N’Golo Kane is on the verge of a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, reports claim.According to Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, representatives will travel to London this week to speak to the Frenchman’s entourage.
    Al Ittihad want to sign KanteCredit: Getty
    The Tigers are confident that an agreement will be made quickly, with Kante’s Chelsea contract set to expire at the end of this month.
    Kante joined Chelsea in a £30million transfer from Leicester in 2016 and has since made 269 appearances for the west London club.
    However, he was limited to just nine outings this season due to a severe hamstring injury.
    Chelsea had hoped to keep Kante on board by offering him a two-year contract extension, but the 32-year-old now looks set to leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis.
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    The Frenchman is now expected to link-up with his international teammate Karim Benzema at Al Ittihad.
    Real Madrid announced Benzema’s departure from the club on Sunday morning.
    An official statement read: “Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club.
    “Real Madrid wants to show its gratitude and all its affection for who is already one of our greatest legends.”
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    Benzema, who has been a fan favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu for the last 14 years, reportedly agreed contract terms with Al Ittihad this week.
    The Saudi side are also attempting to sign Wolves winger Adama Traore.
    Real Madrid announced Benzema’s departure on SundayCredit: AFP More

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    Kai Havertz ‘on verge of shock Real Madrid transfer’ in ‘mega-deal’ from Chelsea after Karim Benzema exit

    KAI HAVERTZ is on the verge of signing for Real Madrid in a “mega-deal” from Chelsea, reports in Germany say. The LaLiga giants have lost star striker Karim Benzema, 35, whose Bernabeu exit was revealed by the club.
    Kai Havertz is linked with a move to Real MadridCredit: AFP
    And Chelsea’s Havertz emerged as a shock contender to replace the Frenchman, who leaves after 14 years in the Spanish capital.
    Now according to Bild, the Germany international can “quickly” become a Real player.
    It is claimed manager Carlo Ancelotti and President Florentino Perez are both admirers of the forward.
    And with Chelsea open to selling Havertz, 23, an agreement with Real is expected to follow.
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    The playmaker joined Chelsea in 2020 for a then-club record £75m deal from Bayer Leverkusen.
    And despite scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final in his first season, he has lacked consistency.
    It leaves the Blues ready to sell Havertz after just three years in West London as they look to clear their squad out this summer.
    Real are also doing so, after ex-Chelsea star Eden Hazard, 32, terminated his contract.
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    And Benzema’s exit shortly followed while the attacker is linked with a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia.
    A statement read: “Real Madrid Football Club and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to bring his brilliant and unforgettable time as a player at our club to a close.
    “Real Madrid would like to show our gratitude and affection to a player who is already one of our greatest legends.”
    Karim Benzema is leaving Real MadridCredit: AFP More

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    PSG weighing up huge transfer for Arsenal defender and could approach his representatives over summer transfer

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN are considering a swoop for Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes, according to reports.The Ligue 1 champions expressed an interest in signing the Brazilian last summer, but Mikel Arteta refused to let him go.
    PSG are considering a move for GabrielCredit: Getty
    Instead, Gabriel penned a new long-term contract with the north London side.
    The defender is committed to the club until June 2027, but PSG are hoping to tempt him to the Parc des Princes this summer.
    According to GOAL, the Parisians are considering an offer for Gabriel.
    PSG have not yet made an approach, but Luis Campos – the club’s sporting director – is understood to be keen on the prospect of signing him.
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    However, the defender wants to stay at the Emirates Stadium.
    Gabriel joined Arsenal in a £27million transfer from Lille three years ago.
    He has since made 118 appearances for the Gunners.
    When the Brazilian signed his new contract in October, Arsenal sporting director Edu revealed that he will be a key player for the club’s long-term future.
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    He said: “It’s great that we’ve agreed a new deal with Gabi. At 24, he’s still a young player and is part of our future.
    “His performances since he joined us in 2020 have been very strong and his positive impact on our results have been clear for everyone to see.
    “He has grown so much on and off the pitch, with both his contribution and communication on and off the pitch.
    “We all look forward to seeing Gabi continue to grow as an important part of our club.” More

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    Rangers cleared to sign forgotten Man Utd player after Crystal Palace rule themselves out of running

    RANGERS are clear to sign former England keeper Jack Butland after Crystal Palace passed on the chance to extend his contract.The Eagles had the option of triggering a new one-year deal with Butland — who has been on loan with Manchester United — but decided against it.
    Jack Butland is edging closer to a Rangers moveCredit: Getty
    Palace already have two top keepers in Sam Johnstone and Vicente Guaita, making that department well covered and also expensive to run.
    Rangers have been keen on Butland, 30, for a year but only pressed on with a deal in recent weeks.
    Their initial interest faded when Allan McGregor returned to their plans.
    But his belated exit left them in need of an experienced replacement.
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    The former Stoke shot-stopper failed to make any appearances at Palace or United this season.
    Butland made nine league appearances for Palace in the league last season.
    He reportedly held talks over a move to Scotland on Tuesday night – the same day Gers confirmed the capture of Dujon Sterling.
    Last month we revealed how Man Utd were prepared to DOUBLE the wages offered by the Ibrox side in order to keep him at Old Trafford.
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    Butland has been capped nine times by England.
    Overall he has made 87 appearances in the Premier League, while making a further 161 in the Championship.
    Butland joined Man Utd on loan in January but hasn’t made an appearanceCredit: Getty More