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    Blackpool striker Jerry Yates chased by FIVE clubs but they’ll have to splash out £4m to land Tangerines’ top scorer

    BLACKPOOL face a fight to keep hold of top scorer Jerry Yates following relegation to League One.Yates, 26, scored 14 goals in the Championship last season.
    Jerry Yates could be playing in the Premier League next termCredit: Getty
    However, the hotshot’s efforts still could not keep the Tangerines up.
    Now play-off finalists Luton and Coventry are both plotting a move for the ace.
    And second-tier sides West Brom, Bristol City and newly-promoted Ipswich have all shown interest in hotshot Yates.
    SunSport understands a bid of £2.5million from an unnamed club has been rejected.
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    And Blackpool are holding out for their £4m valuation.
    The striker claimed a hat-trick at the club’s end-of-season awards after winning the Players’ Player of the Year, top scorer and goal of the season gongs.
    Yates still has 12 months remaining on his contract at Bloomfield Road.
    And there is also the option of another year.
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    The star ended the campaign in the top 10 goalscorers for the Championship.
    He scored 15 in all competitions with his other goal coming in Blackpool’s FA Cup third round shock over Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest.

    Yates came through the ranks at Rotherham and enjoyed loan spells in non-league with Harrogate before going on to have stints with Carlisle and Swindon.
    Blackpool swooped for him in 2020 and he helped them to earn promotion via the League One play-offs the following year.
    He has scored 42 goals in 124 league appearances for the club during his time there. More

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    Napoli ‘could SACK boss Luciano Spalletti just 14 DAYS after Serie A title with Rafa Benitez lined up as replacement’

    NAPOLI boss Luciano Spalletti could sensationally be replaced by Rafael Benitez despite winning the league, according to reports.The 64-year-old has achieved legendary status after he ended the club’s 33-year wait to be crowned Serie A champions.
    Luciano Spalletti could allegedly leave Napoli this summerCredit: Getty
    Rafa Benitez has been linked with a return to the Serie A championsCredit: EPA
    However, Spalletti’s contract expires next summer after Napoli recently triggered a 12-month extension.
    He has been expected to ink new terms following the title triumph but La Gazzetto dello Sport are claiming that negotiations with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis have frozen.
    And they also state that the pair are not even on speaking terms.
    Now various reports say that contact has been made with Benitez over a potential return.
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    It was widely-believed that Spalletti would be offered a new two-year contract worth £2.43m-a-year.
    But after having dinner with De Laurentiis last week to discuss it, discussions have now allegedly stopped.
    This latest report states that Spalletti expressed his anger over the potential sale of some of high-profile stars this summer.
    Meanwhile, Benitez had a two-year spell in charge of Napoli in 2013. 
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    The ex-Liverpool boss guided them to Coppa Italia success before leaving for Real Madrid.
    The Spaniard has been out of work since being sacked by Everton in January 2022. More

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    Arsenal ‘preparing opening proposal’ for Declan Rice.. but won’t kick start transfer talks yet for incredible reason

    ARSENAL have prepared their opening proposal for Declan Rice but will not start negotiations just yet, according to reports. Rice, 24, has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates in the summer.
    Arsenal are preparing their opening offer for Declan RiceCredit: Getty
    But will not start transfer talks just yetCredit: Reuters
    The West Ham skipper has been earmarked for a £100million transfer.
    With reports suggesting Arsenal have a summer war chest of £200m, it is a fee they could afford.
    And according to Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are preparing their opening salvo as they seek to land the England International.
    However, talks between the two parties will not begin until June at the earliest.
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    Romano has revealed Arsenal will hold off on initiating talks until June at least.
    The reason for this is to “respect” West Ham.
    The Hammers’ victory over AZ Alkmaar on Thursday means they must now prepare for the Europa Conference League final – the club’s first European final in 47 years.
    Mikel Arteta and Co will be hoping this patience will be rewarded with smoother negotiations when the two clubs sit down to discuss a deal.
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    Arsenal could land two midfielders in the summer, depending on departures.
    Granit Xhaka is set to depart the club for a move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, leaving the North London outfit needing to find a replacement as well.
    Moises Caicedo is another star who Arsenal have an interest in.
    They previously saw two bids for the Ecuador star rejected by Brighton in January, though Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi has hinted they are resigned to losing Caicedo this summer. More

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    Man Utd legend warns club NOT to sign Harry Kane in £100m transfer as it’ll lead to nightmare scenario in two years time

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Andy Cole has urged the club NOT to sign Harry Kane this summer.The England captain, 29, is set to enter the final year of his Spurs contract.
    Harry Kane has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    Andy Cole, right, does not feel Man Utd should sign Kane or Declan RiceCredit: Reuters
    And he is one of two strikers being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford at the end of the season along with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
    Tottenham are thought to value Kane at around £100million despite the possibility of him departing for free next summer.
    And Cole does not believe things would end well for Man Utd if they were to strike a deal for Kane.
    Speaking to William Hill, he said: “Manchester United can’t go with a short-term solution again.
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    “They can’t go and spend £80 million or £100 million on Harry Kane. In two years’ time they’ll turn round and say to themselves, ‘he’s 32, we need to get ourselves another striker’. They can’t afford to find themselves in that position again.
    “When you look at the recognised strikers that Manchester United have had, you look at the likes of Robin van Persie, but the crazy thing is that he only stayed for two years, and ever since then it has just been one after another for two years.
    “A football club like Manchester United cannot just keep having different strikers for two years at a time, it’s ridiculous.
    “They know now that they have to sign someone who is going to give them five years.”
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    Kane is the all-time record goalscorer for both Tottenham and England.
    And he has continued to impress this season despite Spurs’ dismal campaign, bagging 29 goals in 47 appearances.
    He recently hinted he could stay in North London as he discussed Tottenham’s long-term future.
    Speaking about the Europa Conference League, Kane, who is yet to win a trophy, said: “You can’t disrespect any competition that you play in.
    “It’s one of those, if you end up in the Conference League and win it, it’s worth it. If you don’t, then people probably look at it as an inconvenience.
    “But when you’ve been at a club where we haven’t won a trophy for 15 years, if we do end up in it, it could be an opportunity to try and put that to bed.”
    Tottenham occupy seventh in the Premier League table with two games remaining – a spot that would see them qualify for the Europa Conference League.
    Their final games come at home to Brentford and away at Leeds.
    Victor Osimhen has also been linked with a summer transfer to Old TraffordCredit: Getty More

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    Sir Alex Ferguson’s former No2 urges Man Utd to ‘do everything’ to land top midfield target that Ten Hag is ‘chasing’

    SIR ALEX FERGUSON’s former assistant Rene Meulensteen has urged Manchester United to go all out for Frenkie de Jong. The Red Devils spent most of last summer chasing the Barcelona man but repeatedly fell short.
    Rene Meulensteen was No2 at Old Trafford before spending three months as boss of Fulham in the 2013-14 seasonCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Manager Erik ten Hag has managed to get on just fine without the 26-year-old as United edge closer to a top four spot.
    They could also end the season with a domestic cup double if they can mastermind a Wembley win over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final next month.
    But Meulensteen, who was United assistant coach between 2007 and 2013, still believes his old side need another top class midfielder to compete at the very top.
    He told Man United’s official Scandinavian supporters club: “They need a really good midfield player.
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    “Yes, they’ve got Casemiro in there. You’ve got Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes – a lot of experience, a lot of qualities – but there’s also a little bit of a vulnerability because their mindsets are predominantly in going forward.
    “I would 100 per cent do everything to get De Jong. He’s got energy, he’s got legs, he’s tactically very, very good in the build-up.
    “For De Jong, I think to be fairly honest, he would have already been here if he had not been happy at Barcelona.
    “But he’s obviously very happy playing for Barcelona otherwise he would have said, ‘Okay, no problem, sort me out’ because there’s always a way to fill that financial gap. That can never be the reason. But I can see why Ten Hag is chasing him.”
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    The summer recruitment of Casemiro and Eriksen helped United plug holes in their midfield.
    The pair have been fantastic and helped deliver a solid debut season for ten Hag.
    Barcelona’s chaotic financial situation means they could need to sell some of their star players this season, despite winning LaLiga.
    United could also be in the market for a new goalkeeper and Meulensteen believes that is also an important area following the long tenure of David de Gea.
    He added: “I really like David de Gea, I’ve obviously worked with him myself, lot of experience, done fantastically well. 
    “People are judging him sometimes because the mistakes that he’s made in this season in certain games are so much unlike him – which you have to ask the question: why is that?
    “That could be because sometimes you can get a bit stale, sometimes you need a new environment or to freshen things up.” More

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    Mauricio Pochettino set to make managerial return at Old Trafford as he prepares to take Chelsea job

    MAURICIO POCHETTINO’S return to the dugout will be at Manchester United instead of Chelsea when he manages the World XI at Soccer Aid.Pochettino is set to start work officially at Chelsea on July 1 but beforehand will take charge for the UNICEF charity match against England at Old Trafford on June 11.
    Mauricio Pochettino is set to make his managerial return at Old Trafford for Soccer AidCredit: Getty
    Pochettino is set to take over at Chelsea as the next managerCredit: Getty
    Pochettino, 51, said: “It is a real pleasure to be part of a match that represents a big cultural moment in this country’s annual calendar – and rightly so, because it raises so much money for Unicef.
    “I love English football stadiums, the passion the fans show for the game and the atmosphere they create, so it will be great to feel that again next month.”
    Pochettino will coach former Argentina team-mates Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo in the Old Trafford encounter.
    World’s fastest man Usain Bolt will be captain of a side that includes the likes of Francesco Totti and ex-Manchester United stars Patrice Evra and Nani.
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    Pochettino is finalising the details on a three year deal to take over from Chelsea’s interim boss Frank Lampard at the end of this season.
    The former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss has been out of work since being sacked by the French giants last July.
    Pochettino is believed to have impressed Chelsea owner Todd Boehly with his commitment to working with youngsters.
    This comes after the Blues splashed out over £600million since Boehly took over from Roman Abramovich last year.
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    And the ex-Tottenham boss has identified the likes of £88m winger Mykhailo Mudryk and academy defender Levi Colwill as integral to his vision.
    The Argentine tactician is also set to oversee a huge clear-out, with Chelsea currently boasting well over 30 first-team stars.
    And there could even be fresh chances for flops like Romelu Lukaku, who could be the answer to the West Londoners’ problems up front.
    England vs Soccer Aid World XI FC takes place on Sunday 11 June. Tickets for the game are on sale: www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets More

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    Brentford open contract talks with Ivan Toney despite 8-month ban as they ‘identify £25m striker replacement’

    BRENTFORD are planning to launch contract talks with Ivan Toney despite his eight-month ban, according to reports.The England striker was banned until January by the FA after being found guilty of breaching gambling rules.
    Ivan Toney is set to be banned until JanuaryCredit: AP
    Toney, 27, has two years remaining on his £20,000-a-week contract at the Gtech.
    Bees chiefs had been growing resigned to losing their star man, who has gathered interest from the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham.
    But the Mail claim that Brentford could look to show their support for Toney amid his ban by handing him a new deal.
    Club bosses believe that they are unlikely to receive their £50m asking price this summer, given his suspension.
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    They could seek to hand Toney a pay rise, albeit less than the £150k a week he could receive elsewhere.
    In return the Bees could grant their star man a favourable release clause, protecting his value in the process.
    Toney has been in red-hot form this season, bagging 20 Premier League goals.
    Thomas Frank’s side go into their final two matches still possessing an outside chance of European qualification, albeit with Toney set to miss both.
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    Brentford could theoretically terminate Toney’s current deal for breach of contract, saving them £640,000 in wages in the short term.
    They will not consider this option, however, given the millions in transfer value they would lose out on.
    Despite their support for Toney, Brentford are mulling over striker transfer options.
    According to talkSPORT, the Bees are after Coventry ace Viktor Gyokeres.
    The Sky Blues are set to demand at least £25m for their star striker, irrespective of whether they are promoted to the Premier League.
    Mark Robins’ men will take on Luton in the Championship play-off final next week.
    Coventry sharp-shooter Viktor Gyokeres is on Brentford’s radarCredit: Rex More

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    Former Chelsea wonderkid who snubbed Real Madrid transfer wakes up unemployed after he is released from League One club

    FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran is without a club after being released by League One side MK Dons.The midfielder, 30, was tipped to go to the very top of world football and attracted offers from Real Madrid and Manchester United at the age of 16.
    Josh McEachran made a total of 22 appearances for Chelsea, which included turning out for The Blues in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The midfielder told the Daily Mail back in 2017 that he turned down the offers because he “believed he was going to make it”.
    He said “When I made my (Chelsea) debut I thought, ‘Ah, that was a good choice for me to say no to Real Madrid,’ but looking back now maybe I should have (gone).”
    The midfielder had been involved with first team training at Chelsea from the age of 15 onwards, having been called up from the youth team by then manager Carlo Ancelotti.
    But he would go on to make just 11 appearances for Chelsea during his time at the club between 2010 and 2015.
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    The midfielder instead found himself bouncing between a number of clubs on loan, including Swansea City and Middlesbrough before joining Brentford permanently in 2015.
    He made 101 appearances for the Bees before moving on to Birmingham City in 2019, where he made just 10 appearances during an injury-hit stint.
    McEachran dropped down a league to join MK Dons in 2021.
    After initially only training with the club to gain fitness, McEachran earned a series of contracts and made 100 appearances for the Milton Keynes side.
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    But it was announced today that McEachran will be without a club going into the summer after MK Dons released their retained list.
    McEachran was one of nine players released by MK Dons following their relegation to League Two.
    Their relegation was sealed on the final day of the League One season, and sparked angry scenes that saw supporters confront Dons owner Pete Winkleman. More