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    Arsenal and Liverpool in Lovro Majer transfer fight with £30m-rated Rennes star looking for new challenge

    RENNES midfielder Lovro Majer is a transfer target for Liverpool and Arsenal, reports claim.The 25-year-old Croatian international is claimed to be eager to pursue a new challenge.
    Lovro Majer is claimed to be attracting interest from Arsenal and LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    That is according to the Daily Mail, who say Arsenal and Liverpool are two of a number of Premier League clubs looking at Majer.
    Ligue 1 club Rennes reportedly value Majer at £30million.
    He signed for the French outfit in 2021 from Dinamo Zagreb, scoring six goals and providing eight assists in the league in his debut campaign.
    However, Majer has started just 13 times in Ligue 1 this season.
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    He is now said to be open to leaving in the summer.
    The Mail say Majer is not starting as many games as he would like to.

    And while Tottenham often have representatives at Rennes to watch Djed Spence in action, the Gunners and Liverpool are said to hold a greater interest in Majer than Spurs.
    The midfielder was previously been linked with a move to Manchester United back in January.
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    While last year reports claimed Arsenal had sent scouts to watch Majer in action.
    The Gunners are reconsidering their summer transfer strategy, having originally played on making just two major signings.
    Majer has been capped 19 times by Croatia, and helped his nation to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar last year.
    He scored in the 4-1 group stage win over Canada. More

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    Sheff Utd will keep Oli McBurnie for the Premier League next season as two top stars enter final year of deals

    SHEFFIELD UNITED will keep striker Oli McBurnie for the Premier League next season — when THREE of their top stars are in the last year of their deals.Paul Heckingbottom’s side secured promotion back to the top division via a second place finish when they beat West Brom 2-0 on Wednesday.
    Sheffield United star Oli McBurnie is set to stay at the clubCredit: PA
    And the club are planning on retaining several of their key players for next term.
    McBurnie sees his deal run out this summer but the Blades are taking up the option of retaining him for another campaign.
    Meanwhile, Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye are signed up until next year.
    Both are likely to want to carry on in the top-flight’s big shop window and become free agents after that. 
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    McBurnie joined Sheffield United in the summer of 2019 from Swansea for a fee of £17.5million.
    He has been key in the Championship this season, netting 12 goals in 36 matches.

    As for Berge, the midfielder has been a vital cog in the starting XI since joining from Genk in 2020.
    The player was close to joining either Newcastle or Fulham during the January transfer window, but he chose to stay with Sheffield United.
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    Ndiaye is another who sees his deal expire in the summer of 2024 and he has impressed this season, scoring 15 goals in 50 games in all competitions.
    The Senegalese international was part of his country’s side that lost to England in the World Cup.
    He has previously been linked with a move to Everton.
    Sander Berge could leave Bramall Lane at the end of next seasonCredit: Getty
    Iliman Ndiaye has previously attracted interest from Premier League sidesCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd blow as ‘Real Madrid send officials to Dortmund to sweet-talk Jude Bellingham into summer transfer’

    REAL MADRID are reportedly preparing to send officials to Germany to talk to Jude Bellingham about signing for the club.The England international, 19, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer.
    Jude Bellingham has attracted interest from a host of Europe’s top clubsCredit: Getty
    Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are all keen to acquire the Borussia Dortmund superstar.
    And Paris Saint-Germain has also been mooted as a possible destination.
    Liverpool recently pulled out of the race as they look for midfielders at a more reasonable price – with Bellingham valued at around £130million.
    And according to Marca, United, City and Chelsea could be set to miss out on him too as Real Madrid step up their pursuit.
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    The Spanish giants are set to fly representatives over to Dortmund in the next few days for talks with Bellingham.
    They are understood to have a “direct” line of communication with the midfielder.
    And they are optimistic the former Birmingham man will join them on June 30.
    But Dortmund are holding out hope of keeping him for one more season.
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    He arrived in Germany in 2020 and has contributed 21 goals and 25 assists in 130 games for the club.
    His deal runs until 2025, with Dortmund keen to hand him an improved contract to keep him until next year.
    However, a departure seems the most likely option for Bellingham as Europe’s giants circle for his signature. More

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    Granit Xhaka facing Arsenal transfer exit with Gunners ready to listen to offers for midfielder and outcast defender

    GRANIT XHAKA could be on his way out of Arsenal this summer, according to reports.And outcast defender Kieran Tierney is also said to be at risk of the chop.
    Arsenal could be ready to sell Granit Xhaka this summerCredit: Getty
    SunSport revealed the Gunners are preparing a mass clearout at the Emirates this summer to fund their spending spree.
    Now the Daily Mail state the Swiss midfielder and Scottish left-back are among those who could leave with Arsenal ready to listen to offers.
    Xhaka, 30, joined the club in 2016 and has racked up 292 appearances – winning the fans back over again in recent years.
    This season he has proved a key man in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI on the left on the midfield three.
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    But he may be let go to help raise funds and create space for Mason Mount and Youri Tielemans, who could be cheaper options than long-term targets Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
    Tierney, meanwhile, was excelling at left-back after a slow start to life at the Emirates due to injuries.
    But the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer has bumped the 25-year-old down to a back-up role.
    SunSport reported Newcastle are already planning a £30million swoop for Tierney.
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    Like Tierney, Emile Smith Rowe is frustrated with a lack of minutes this season and Folarin Balogun made it clear he is reluctant to return from his Reims loan if he is not going to be a first-team regular.
    Ainsley Maitland-Niles will be released when his contract expires this summer but Reiss Nelson could still pen a new deal.
    Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari are all out on loan but do not figure in Arteta’s plans so will be sold to generate funds.
    Kieran Tierney could be let go with Newcastle interestedCredit: Getty More

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    Harry Maguire ‘fearful he may have to QUIT Man Utd to save Euro 2024 dream’ but has plenty of transfer offers

    HARRY MAGUIRE fears he may have to quit Manchester United in order to play at Euro 2024.But there will be plenty of transfer offers for the defender.
    Harry Maguire could be on his way out of Manchester United this summerCredit: Getty
    The Red Devils skipper, 30, is struggling for game time under new boss Erik ten Hag.
    Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez are the first-choice centre-backs while Victor Lindelof and even Luke Shaw have regularly been picked ahead of the ex-Leicester man, who came on for the final two minutes of the Carabao Cup final win.
    And in a further blow, Ten Hag labelled Bruno Fernandes “our captain” despite Maguire being the official skipper at Old Trafford.
    Now the Daily Mail report the £85million man is worried the lack of action could see him snubbed by Gareth Southgate at next year’s major tournament.
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    Maguire – who was named in the Euro 2020 team of the tournament – did go to the World Cup in Qatar and started all five Three Lions matches.
    And he played in both of England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine last month.
    But Southgate has repeatedly reiterated he will pick players who are performing for their clubs – and the reality is Maguire has not been doing that.
    United are not actively trying to sell Maguire, who has two years left on his £190,000-a-week contract.
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    But this summer could be an ideal time to cut their losses and let him leave, especially taking into account Premier League financial rules.
    As revealed by SunSport, Paris Saint-Germain are a shock interested party for a £50m switch.
    The French giants put a deal on the table in January but it could not be completed in time.
    Aston Villa, West Ham, Roma and Inter Milan have all been linked with Maguire in recent months, too.
    A return to the King Power on loan could even be on the cards, although the Foxes need to avoid relegation to have any chance of bringing him back.
    Gareth Southgate will want his stars to be playing regularly ahead of the EurosCredit: Getty More

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    Laura Woods apologises to Wrexham after chat with Gareth Bale on stage at UK Sport Industry Awards amid transfer pursuit

    LAURA WOODS apologised to Wrexham after failing to persuade Gareth Bale to move to the Hollywood-inspired club. Actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have overseen Wrexham’s promotion back to League Two.
    Gareth Bale and Laura Woods at the Sport Industry AwardsCredit: Rex
    Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan ReynoldsCredit: PA
    And ex-Tottenham and Real Madrid star Bale – who announced his retirement in January – congratulated the Welsh club on the result.
    It led McElhenney to tweet: “Hey @GarethBale11 let’s play golf, where I totally won’t spend 4 hours trying to convince you to un-retire for one last magical season.”
    To which Bale, 33, responded: “Depends what course.”
    The forward and golf-mad fan attended the Sport Industry Awards just days after his online interaction with McElhenney.
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    And presenter Woods did her best to tease Bale out of retirement to join non-league winners Wrexham.
    She said: “Is there any way anything can tempt you out of retirement? For example… Wrexham?”
    But Bale replied: “No, I don’t think so. I think I was looking more for a free round of golf off Rob.
    “I’m sure we’ll have a chat and a joke, but I’m quite happy where I am.
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    “I’m spending a lot of time with my kids and my wife, time that I’ve lost so much over the years being committed to football.
    “I’m just enjoying family life and playing some golf.”
    Woods insisted she did her best but tweeted: “Sorry Wrexham, I tried!”
    Gareth Bale is fine staying in retirementCredit: Rex More

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    Harry Kane ‘open to running down Tottenham contract and leaving on FREE TRANSFER’ amid Man Utd interest

    HARRY KANE is open to running down his Tottenham contract, according to reports.SunSport revealed last month that Manchester United are confident they can sign the Spurs striker, should the North Londoners miss out on a Champions League spot.
    Harry Kane has 14 months remaining on his contractCredit: Getty
    Kane, 29, has 14 months remaining on his Tottenham deal, and figures within the club are growing doubtful over whether he will pen a new one.
    According to the Telegraph, the England skipper would consider seeing out his deal at Tottenham before leaving on a free transfer.
    Man United would be willing to offer him a £100,000 boost on his current £200k-a-week Spurs deal.
    While players leaving on free transfers can often command huge signing-on-fees.
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    Red Devils fans sang “we’ll see you in June” at Kane during last night’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
    United chiefs were encouraged after a positive meeting with the striker’s representatives via intermediaries last month.
    But they would like to complete a deal quickly, and avoid a long drawn-out summer transfer saga.
    The Red Devils have experienced difficult negotiations with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy in the past, while recruiting Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Carrick.
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    Should Levy fail to accept a bid prior to the beginning of pre-season, United could turn to other targets.
    Asked about United fans’ chants last night, Kane refused to be drawn.
    He said: “I heard what they were saying but I’m just focused on this team and trying to finish strongly.”
    Spurs’ all-time leading scorer then opened up on what went on at Spurs earlier this week, with Cristian Stellini having been sacked as acting head coach on Monday.
    He said: “The chairman asked for a meeting. Obviously I won’t go into what was said but I think it was important [for him] to understand where the players’ heads were at that moment.
    “Obviously coming off the back of that result. And it wasn’t just that result. It had been building up since the international break when we conceded the two goals against Southampton.
    “It was an honest conversation of where everyone is at and what we need to try to do to give us the best possible chance to finish the season with something.
    “We’re still fighting for fourth place but if it’s not fourth we’ll try to finish fifth or sixth, as high up as we can.
    “In this league, it’s so competitive, you can easily end up 8th or 9th if you’re not careful. That’s what it was – to give us the best chance. And I’m glad we reacted like that today.”
    Kane’s name was sung by Man United fans last nightCredit: Getty More

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    Arsenal could shelve Rice and Caicedo deals to fund more transfers including Mount in huge overhaul with SIX stars going

    MIKEL ARTETA is reconsidering Arsenal’s summer transfer strategy following this week’s painful defeat at Manchester City.The club had been planning to make just two major signings and had allocated up to £150million to bid for central midfielders Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo.
    Arsenal have been linked with a big money move for Declan RiceCredit: Getty
    The Gunnners failed with a January swoop for Moises CaicedoCredit: Getty
    But Arteta feels other areas of his squad also need strengthening.
    And now they are exploring ways to finance moves for two more defenders and possibly another winger.
    Arteta’s rethink comes after noting his team’s title challenge was undermined by centre-half William Saliba’s injury absence.
    The French international, 22, was the only first-team regular unavailable for Wednesday’s trip to the Etihad yet his team simply could not cope with City.
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    Losing 4-1 was a huge title blow and Arteta said: “It is extremely hard to reach City’s levels, and we were nowhere near.”
    And with Arsenal returning to the Champions League next season after a six-year absence, Arteta knows too many squad players are not up to the required standard to play at the very highest level.
    Arteta has relied on a core of 11 players all season but had difficulty maintaining performances with any unavailable.
    Rob Holding, Fabio Vieira, Jakub Kiwior, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson struggled when asked to cover as Arsenal have seen an eight-point lead over City at the top turn into a potential four-point deficit.
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    Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe are unhappy with a lack of game time and Folarin Balogun made it clear he is reluctant to return from his Reims loan if he is not going to be a first-team regular.
    Yet they could all be told to stay put as back-up next term.
    There is still hope of persuading Nelson to sign a new deal before his current one expires at the end of the season.
    Other players out on loan — including Nicolas Pepe, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nuno Tavares, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari — do not figure in Arteta’s plans and will be sold to generate funds.
    Brighton’s 3-1 midweek loss at Nottingham Forest means Arsenal have now sealed Champions League qualification.
    That will boost their coffers by around £80m and Arteta has nearly £70m burning a hole in his pocket after failed January moves for Caicedo and Mykhailo Mudryk.
    Yet West Ham captain Rice could cost as much as £100m and Caceido will not come much cheaper as Brighton rejected Arsenal’s £60m bid then persuaded the 21-year-old to sign a new contract to 2027.
    Now Arsenal are looking at potentially cheaper alternatives, with Chelsea’s Mason Mount and Leicester’s Youri Tielemans — who will be a free agent in the summer — both on their radar.
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    Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda remains a target and there is also interest in Crystal Palace centre-half Marc Guehi.
    Arteta is determined to make sure this title challenge is not a one-off and wants substantial investment for next term.
    Mason Mount is a potential summer targetCredit: Getty
    Youri Tielemans is another option on Arsenal’s radarCredit: Rex More