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    Man Utd ‘learn Marcel Sabitzer transfer price from Bayern’ as fans say ‘keep him there’

    MANCHESTER UNITED will have to pay £22million to sign Marcel Sabitzer permanently.But fans aren’t too eager for a deal to be struck this summer.
    Bayern Munich want £22million from Man Utd for loanee Marcel SabitzerCredit: Getty
    The Austrian midfielder has made a good impact since his January loan move from Bayern Munich.
    Sabitzer, 29, has three goals in 18 appearances under Erik ten Hag.
    But injury means his season is already over – and potentially his Red Devils career.
    United are keen on making several big signings this summer.
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    And money is tight amid an ongoing takeover saga.
    However, should Ten Hag wish to keep Sabitzer past his loan, Sky Sports says it will cost him £22m.
    Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel does not have the ex-RB Leipzig star in his plans for next season.
    And the Germans are more than open to doing business as they prepare a mini-rebuild.
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    But Red Devils fans do not appear to be keen on keeping Sabitzer permanently as they reacted to the news.
    One said: “Good player but always injured, then useless. Bayern knows this and wants to sell.”
    Another declared: “No thanks, he’s done a job but has hardly justified a permanent move.”
    One noted: “Bayern bought him for £12m, barely played him and now want nearly double. Joke.”
    Another added: “Good stop-gap while Eriksen was injured but can’t see the need for him.” More

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    Stoke flop lined up for sensational Real Madrid transfer as club look for Benzema competition

    STOKE reject Joselu is reportedly being eyed up for a sensational return to Real Madrid.The Spanish forward, 33, has enjoyed a superb few years back in Spain after a difficult time in the Premier League.
    Joselu has been superb for a struggling Espanyol side this seasonCredit: EPA
    During his stint in England, he registered just four goals in 27 games for Stoke, before he joined Newcastle where he hit the back of the net on seven occasions across two seasons.
    But since heading back to his home country, Joselu has impressed in LaLiga.
    His 36 goals in 113 appearances for Alaves earned him a move to Espanyol.
    And while the Catalan club are battling relegation, he has still managed to net 16 times in 34 appearances this season.
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    Joselu, who scored twice in two appearances for Real Madrid in 2011, was also called up to the Spain squad in March – where he netted twice on his debut against Norway.
    According to Relevo, he is now the subject of interest from Real Madrid as they seek competition for star striker Karim Benzema.
    Carlo Ancelotti’s men are set for a disappointing season after being beaten to the league title by Barcelona and suffering a Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Manchester City.
    They did win the Copa del Rey, but that is not expected to satisfy Real bosses.
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    Benzema, 35, has enjoyed another strong season with 29 goals – albeit 15 fewer than his 2021/22 campaign.
    And Los Blancos bosses are discussing the idea of bringing Joselu in to support the talismanic Frenchman.
    The Spanish international’s contract with Espanyol runs until 2025.
    He was signed on a free transfer last summer after his Alaves deal expired.
    Meanwhile, three defeats in five LaLiga games have seen Real Madrid drop below Atletico Madrid to third in the table. More

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    Man City ready to meet Gundogan’s new deal demands after being sparked into action by Arsenal transfer interest

    MANCHESTER CITY aim to keep Ilkay Gundogan out of Arsenal’s clutches by getting him to agree on a new deal.Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wants a reunion with the  Etihad skipper who he worked with when he was Pep Guardiola’s No 2 up until 2019.
    Manchester City are planning to offer Ilkay Gundogan a new contractCredit: Getty
    He had been linked with a move to ArsenalCredit: AP
    The German’s City contract expires at the end of the season and early talks failed to find an agreement.
    Barcelona indicated they were willing to offer him a two-year deal and Gundogan was holding out for a similar offer from his current club.
    The stand-off alerted Arsenal, who ran the champions close in the title race, to the possibility they could bring him to the Emirates for free this summer.
    However, there is now optimism that a compromise can be reached which will see him extend his seven-year stay at the Etihad.
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    The deal proposed by City is believed to be structured differently to the one he has been offered at the Nou Camp but is closer to what he was looking for.
    And if he does stay, it would be a timely boost for Guardiola who has regularly stated wants the German – his first signing at City back in 2016 – to stay.
    Gundogan scored twice in each of his last two league starts – against Leeds and Everton – to put them on the brink of a third straight title.
    He lifted the trophy at the weekend despite not getting on against Chelsea – and is now hoping to get his hands on two more before the season finishes.
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    The feeling is Guardiola would have thrown his captain on for a few minutes at the end to say his goodbyes if he had thought it was going to be his Etihad farewell.
    His situation has taken on increasing importance with summer target Jude Bellingham expected to join Real Madrid rather than the English champs.
    Guardiola is looking to strengthen his midfield this summer with Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic one name under consideration along with Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga.
    Brighton’s World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is also a player the Etihad chief admires – although he is expected to join Liverpool.
    Meanwhile, City remain in talks with teen defender Rico Lewis over a new deal – but are yet to finalise terms.
    The 18-year-old full-back showed his versatility and quality again during the 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday and has been praised by Guardiola for his contribution to the title success. More

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    Troy Deeney, 34, released by Birmingham as star falls victim to 13-player end-of-season cull

    TROY DEENEY has been released by Birmingham City.The former Premier League star is one of 13 players to be released by the Championship side.
    Troy Deeney has been released by Birmingham CityCredit: Reuters
    The 34-year-old lifelong Blues fan and SunSport columnist signed from Watford two years ago and scored 11 goals in 54 Championship appearances for his boyhood heroes.
    Other senior players who have been told they can leave include former captain Harlee Dean, Jordan Graham, defenders Kevin Long, George Friend and French left-back Maxime Colin.
    Blues boss John Eustace has also lost five loan players who have returned to their parent clubs as new owner Tom Wagner and Knighthead Capital Management clear the decks of some of their highest earners.
    City suffered losses of £24.8million in their last financial figures and an estimated £12million for the first six months of the current one.
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    Some of Blues’ released stars could renegotiate new deals according to club sources.
    Krystian Bielik, Hannibal, Reda Khadra, Dion Sanderson, Auston Trusty have all also left the club following the end of their loans.
    Prior to Deeney’s arrival at Birmingham, he spent 11 years at Watford.
    He became a club legend at Vicarage Road as he scored 140 goals in 419 games for the club.
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    Deeney was able to help the club earn promotion to the Premier League in 2015.
    He also made one of the most memorable moments in Championship history by scoring an iconic playoff semi-final goal against Leicester City in 2013. More

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    Nottingham Forest want quick Dean Henderson transfer and could pay Man Utd goalie’s full £110,000-a-week wages

    NOTTINGHAM FOREST are ready to start their summer rebuild and want Manchester United’s £30million-rated goalie Dean Henderson to join them on a permanent deal.The 26-year-old England international impressed on loan last season until he suffered a thigh injury in January which required surgery.
    Nottingham Forest want to sign Dean Henderson on a permanent deal this summerCredit: Getty
    Keylor Navas is expected to return to PSG this summerCredit: Getty
    Forest moved swiftly to bring in Paris St Germain’s experienced back-up Keylor Navas, who became a cult figure with fans as he helped Forest avoid the drop.
    However, the former Real Madrid star will return to Paris this summer and Forest boss Steve Cooper wants Henderson installed as his permanent No.1 so he can hit the ground running when he returns to full fitness.
    The ‘keeper still has two years left on his United contract but he appeared to burn his bridges when he described his parent club’s treatment of him as ‘criminal,’ shortly after joining Forest.
    He is keen to establish himself as a first-choice so he can push Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope for the England No.1 shirt at next year’s European Championships in Germany.
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    Although he earns £110,000 a week at United, Forest are prepared to invest in players who can provide the spine of their team for years to come and Henderson fits the bill.
    Cooper is keen to avoid the summer signing stampede which was unavoidable last season after Forest were promoted through the play-offs.
    He also wants to secure a permanent deal for Atletico Madrid’s £25million-rated left-back Ronan Lodi.
    The left-back has been a regular at the City Ground this season and has put in some brilliant performances to help the club beat the drop.
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    Meanwhile, Serge Aurier’s extension clause has kicked in automatically now Forest’s Premier survival has been confirmed.
    The former Spurs star joined the club in September as a free agent following his release from LaLiga side Villarreal.
    He has played 22 times in the Premier League this season, scoring one goal. More

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    West Ham ‘expect Man Utd to HIJACK Arsenal’s transfer bid for Declan Rice’ as they hold out for huge fee

    WEST HAM believe Manchester United will hijack Arsenal’s hunt for Declan Rice.The Hammers are confident of getting their full asking price of £100million-plus for their England midfielder.
    Declan Rice will be the subject of a huge transfer tug of war this summerCredit: Getty
    Boss David Moyes admits he expects to lose his skipper this summer.
    But Rice, 24, has two years left on his contract.
    That means an expected club record bid from Arsenal of £92m with add-ons might not be enough.
    The Daily Mail say the Hammers are ready to hold out for much more as they believe United are preparing a bigger offer.
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    It comes as the Gunners reportedly line up three alternatives to Rice.
    Manager Mikel Arteta is still keen on Brighton anchorman Moises Caicedo after two failed bids in January.
    And Real Sociedad’s one-cap Spaniard Martin Zubimendi remains on the radar.
    The third name mentioned is Wolves captain Ruben Neves.
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    The £45million-rated Portugal ace has also been linked with United and Liverpool.
    Arsenal might hope Old Trafford Erik ten Hag continues to prioritise a world-class frontman for his summer transfer activities.
    United’s prime strike targets Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen could cost a similarly-massive amount to Rice and use up the majority of their transfer budget. More

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    Chelsea and Man Utd ‘send scouts to watch Gent wonderkid Gift Orban but must stump up massive transfer fee’

    MANCHESTER UNITED, Chelsea and Tottenham have all sent scouts to watch Gent striker Gift Orban, according to reports.The 20-year-old lit up the Belgian Pro League and Europa Conference League this season, scoring 20 goals in 20 appearances for Gent.
    Three Premier League clubs are interested in OrbanCredit: Getty
    And according to The Evening Standard, his incredible form has attracted interest from some of the Premier League’s biggest clubs.
    United, Chelsea and Spurs are all scouting Orban, who joined Gent from Stabaek in January.
    But the Buffalos are reluctant to let him go unless a substantial bid is made.
    The striker is also understood to be happy to stay and develop in Belgium.
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    United and Chelsea have both prioritised signing a striker this summer.
    The Red Devils are considering a swoop for Tottenham’s Harry Kane, who has just one year remaining on his current contract.
    However, Spurs want £100million for their all-time top goalscorer.
    United are also keen on the prospect of signing Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, but they face competition from Chelsea.
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    Osimhen, who has scored 28 goals in 37 games for the Italian champions this season, comes with a huge £130m price tag.
    But Chelsea are said to be hoping to complete a swap deal including Christian Pulisic. More

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    Man Utd star ‘set to quit club to join Rangers as Erik ten Hag targets replacement’

    MANCHESTER UNITED loan star Jack Butland looks set to join Rangers after reportedly agreeing to lower his wage demands.The 30-year-old has spent the second half of this season on loan at Old Trafford from Premier League rivals Crystal Palace.
    Jack Butland looks set to join Rangers instead of returning to Man UtdCredit: Getty
    With his contract at Selhurst Park up in the summer, Gers boss Michael Beale targeted Butland on a free transfer.
    We reported how the Scottish giants were willing to match his salary from the Eagles.
    And they hoped to lure him north of the border with the promise of first-team action.
    It was then speculated that Butland’s salary had been deemed too expensive by Rangers.
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    And then it emerged that United also wanted him back as cover for David de Gea – meaning that Butland had to decide whether he wants to play regularly with Gers or bank more cash at the Red Devils.
    The stopper, who has won nine Englnd caps, now appears certain to be heading to Ibrox.
    The Daily Mail have claimed that the fact he knew Beale “really wanted him” had led to him agreeing “a compromise on his personal terms”.
    And now he is “closing” in on a transfer to Rangers.
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    Butland has made just 17 appearances in the last three years.
    And he has made NONE this season during his time at both Palace and United.
    Now Erik ten Hag will have to look elsewhere for a replacement in order to fill the void left by Butland in his squad. More