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    Inside Brighton’s money-making scouting system that’s made £369m… with three stars set for massive transfer next

    FIRST they came for Ben White and they sold him for £50million.Then they came for Marc Cucurella and they sold him for £60m.
    Brighton made over a £100m profit on Moises Caidedo after his record Chelsea transferCredit: Getty
    Brighton’s first massive sale was Ben White’s £50m transfer to ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Chelsea also splashed £60m on Marc CucurellaCredit: AFP
    Then they came for their manager and his entire coaching staff, and you know what happened next.
    And now they have come for Moises Caicedo and they’ve flogged him for a British transfer record.
    If anyone epitomises the concept of Keep Calm and Carry On, it’s Brighton owner Tony Bloom and his chief executive Paul Barber.
    Because the remarkable work they are doing in good old Sussex by the sea is an object lesson in how not to make a drama out of a crisis.
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    Any other club in football would be tearing their hair out at the loss of nine senior players, the manager, technical director and head of recruitment in the space of just two years.
    Yet this flock of Seagulls have not only survived the mass exodus, they have actually thrived.
    They should have collapsed when Graham Potter packed his bags for the Chelsea circus last September but simply identified an even better coach and have gone from strength to strength under Roberto De Zerbi.
    The same thing happened when they sold White, Cucurella, Dan Burn, Neal Maupay, Yves Bissouma and Leandro Trossard.
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    Brighton have earned a fortune in player sales
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    Now they have cashed in on Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister and Robert Sanchez to take their player sales income over the past couple of years to an extraordinary £368.7M.
    And yet they still thrashed newly-promoted Luton 4-1 on the opening day as they look forward to their first ever season in Europe.
    The key to everything they do at the Amex is buy low, sell high.
    Midfielder Caicedo, 21, was an absolute unknown who cost them £3.6m when they signed him from Independiente del Valle. Now they’ve sold him in a deal that could net them £115m.
    Mac Allister arrived unheralded from Argentinos Juniors for £7m and Cucurella cost them £15.4m from Getafe.
    Yet these deals flew so far under the radar at the time that even Albion fans didn’t realise what was going on right under their noses.
    And that’s not the end of the Amex production line as Kaoru Mitoma, Julio Enciso and Evan Ferguson attract envious glances from Premier League rivals who don’t have the patience to develop their own stars.
    Evan Ferguson has impressed for the Seagulls and could be the next mega-money saleCredit: Alamy
    Kaoru Mitoma is one of many incredible transfer market finds by Brighton’s recruitment teamCredit: Getty
    But everyone knows they are not going to come cheap because Bloom and Barber have forged a well-deserved reputation as the toughest negotiators in the business.
    They never haggle and they never blink first.
    They simply set a price and stick with it. And it’s proving to be a spectacularly successful tactic.
    Southampton learned to their cost last season that it’s all very well to sell your best players but you will eventually come unstuck if you don’t bring in decent replacements.
    Brighton are not going to make the same mistake because they are always planning ahead and preparing for any eventuality.
    They already know that De Zerbi is top of every other team’s wanted list in the event of them sacking their manager.
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    The impressive Italian tactician is under lock and key for the next three years and will not be going anywhere on the cheap.
    But no one is irreplaceable at Brighton because there is always another diamond just waiting to be unearthed. More

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    Man City’s worst Premier League signings, from flops Boateng and Rodwell to £42m mistake Eliaquim Mangala

    MANCHESTER CITY have invested over £1BILLION in the transfer market over the past decade so, naturally, there are going to be some flops.For every David Silva, Yaya Toure, or Erling Haaland there’s also been an Eliaquim Mangala or Jack Rodwell.
    Three great signings out of four weren’t bad for Roberto ManciniCredit: EPA
    Fortunately for current boss Pep Guardiola, most of the club’s most useless transfers came before the Spaniard brought them continued success.
    Here, SunSport details the five WORST signings City have made in the Premier League era….
    Eliaquim Mangala – £42m (2014)
    Mangala was strongly criticised by the media during his time at CityCredit: AFP or licensors
    Joleon Lescott left the Etihad Stadium after Manuel Pellegrini’s side won the title and Mangala was heralded as a ready-made replacement.
    The defender’s first two seasons saw the club drift away from the top of the table and he was often hammered for poor positioning and slow reactions.
    A solid loan spell at Valencia earned Mangala momentary reprieve under Guardiola but, after 15 appearances, the new boss binned him off before serious injury struck in a 2018 spell with Everton.Jack Rodwell – £12m (2012)
    Injuries curtailed Rodwell’s progressCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    Rodwell was an up-and-coming star at Everton but became a symbol of City’s trigger-happy stockpiling when jumping ship at the age of 21.
    There was a problem, however: City already had an excellent set of central midfielders.
    Battling past Yaya Toure, James Milner, David Silva, Samir Nasri, Javi Garcia, Gareth Barry and Fernandinho was too much for Rodwell and he left after two years and just 25 appearances.
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    Jerome Boateng – £10m (2010)
    It is painful enough seeing a former player go on to great things but City didn’t even get close to utilising Boateng’s full potential.
    Perhaps player and club were doomed from day one, the German tearing a tendon in his knee the week before the season began and aggravating it when a drinks trolley bashed it on a flight.
    A year later, Boateng asked to head back home and was allowed to leave for Bayern Munich – going on to win a World Cup, a Champions League and seven Bundesliga titles.
    Jo – £19m (2008)
    Jo arrived with a great record for CSKA MoscowCredit: Reuters
    A top striker in Russia when snapped up by Mark Hughes, Jo struggled to say the least – scoring once in nine league outings before being moved on six months into his stay.
    A brief upturn in form at Goodison Park gave the Citizens some hope of turning a profit… but a dismal 2009-2010 season on Merseyside dropped him back at City.
    Failing to take another chance the following season, Jo finally left to return to Brazil, having cost much more than Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta combined.Wilfried Bony – £25m (2015)
    Bony was sent back to Swansea in 2016 but couldn’t find form there, eitherCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Ten goals in 46 games, only six of which came in the league, is a poor record for any striker, but for an expensive forward at a club aiming to win the title? Terrible.
    The Prem top scorer for the calendar year of 2014, Bony initially couldn’t play for City due to African Cup of Nations duty and a summer bout of malaria came after a quiet start.
    That stunted his hopes for the following year and the club learned their lesson, from then on turning their attention away from signing top players from smaller sides. More

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    Christian Eriksen made Man Utd transfer U-turn after ‘snubbing club due to promise made to Tottenham chief Daniel Levy’

    CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN made a Manchester United U-turn after agreeing to join Erik ten Hag’s side on a free transfer last year.The Daily Mail say the creative midfielder made a promise to Tottenham owner Daniel Levy in 2017 that he would not join a London club out of respect for Spurs.
    Christian Eriksen is full of respect for his former clubCredit: Reuters
    Daniel Levy didn’t want to see Eriksen play elsewhere in EnglandCredit: Alamy
    And Eriksen, now 31, apparently extended his promise to all English clubs when United’s interest came out.
    Former United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was hoping to secure an £80million deal for the playmaker but failed to land his man.
    Eriksen handed in a transfer request in 2019 after outlining his desire for a new challenge.
    That sparked plenty of interest with both Real and Atletico Madrid joining Juventus in the hunt.
    But the Spurs ace eventually joined Inter Milan for £17m in 2020 as his contract began to run down.
    After initially struggling, Eriksen found his form under Antonio Conte and helped Inter win their first Serie A title since 2010.
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    The popular star went into cardiac arrest on the pitch while playing for Denmark in their Euro 2020 opener against Finland during Euros in 2021.
    Eriksen was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator after thankfully making a full recovery.
    But the Italian FA said that the Dane would need it to be removed in order to play for Inter again.
    After his contract was terminated, he joined Brentford as a free agent and enjoyed a remarkable season for the Bees.
    He played 11 games, scoring once and contributing four assists – but left when his six-month contract expired.
    Eriksen since joined Man Utd, going back on his promise, but completing an extraordinary comeback to the top of football.
    He penned a three-year deal at Old Trafford.
    Eriksen is said to have informed United of his desire to join the club, with the midfielder now set for a medical.
    The playmaker worked with United boss Ten Hag briefly when he trained with Ajax before making his comeback to football with the Bees.
    Last season, Eriksen played 44 times in all competitions scoring twice. More

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    Neymar’s even BIGGER car collection after move to Saudi with new Aston Martin & Lamborghini adding to fleet worth £1M

    THIS is Neymar’s amazing expanded car collection after his bumper Saudi move.The Brazil star added a brand new Aston Martin and Lamborghini to his stable, which is worth over £1 million.
    Neymar has an amazing expanded car collectionCredit: Getty
    The Sun exclusively revealed his luxurious demands of Al-Hilal team bosses after his blockbuster transfer to the Saudi Pro League was announced this week.
    Among other perks, the move will see him add eight luxury cars to his already stunning collection.
    Bentley Continental GT
    The latest Continental GT retails from around £230,000 (Stock image)Credit: Getty
    Bentley has been a symbol of wealth and luxury for over 100 years so it’s no surprise this one top of Neymar’s list.
    While the exact model is unknown, the latest Continental GT retails from around £230,000.
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    Like most Bentleys it is decked out in plush leather and the spacious cabin emphasises comfort and style.
    However, the design of the 2021 GT Speed has a distinctly sporty edge and its meaty W12 engine helps it lives up to its name from a performance perspective.
    Laying down 650 horsepower and an astonishing 664ft.lb of torque, the Speed is able to eat up the miles at a top speed of 208mph and 0-60mph time of just 3.5 seconds despite its over two tonne kerb weight.
    Aston Martin DBX
    If it’s performance Neymar wants, he need look no further than the DBX (stock image)Credit: AFP or licensors
    If it’s performance Neymar wants, he need look no further than the DBX.
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    The sleek mid-sized SUV is somehow even quicker off the line than the Bentley, with a 0-60mph of 3.3 seconds thanks to a turbocharged V8.
    It’s also, as of August 2023, the only British car in the former PSG man’s stable, adding Aston’s unique design flair despite the largely Mercedes-sourced tech underneath the bonnet.
    Lamborghini Huracan
    This Lambo more than lives up to its ‘hurricane’ moniker (stock image)Credit: Getty
    Yes, the Bentley and Aston are no slouches, but this is an out-and-out performance car made for blasting around a track or tearing up the Autobahn.
    Around a tonne lighter than the previous two entries, but sporting a 5.2-litre V10, the Lambo more than lives up to its “hurricane” moniker.
    With a top speed of over 200mph and a 0-60mph of 3.1 seconds, it combines Lambo’s unique design style with technical wizardry to produce a finely-tuned racing machine.
    Mercedes G Wagon
    Neymar is understood to have requested four G-WagonsCredit: Alamy
    A favourite of celebrities across the globe in recent years, Neymar is understood to have requested four G-Wagons to be provided to ferry him and his entourage around the Gulf State.
    In the same category of luxury SUV as the Aston, the G-class is renowned for its more rugged look.
    This is actually created by the fact that it is manufactured using a body-on-frame assembly method rather than the unibody approach more usually taken to modern luxury cars.
    Like its British counterpart the Jeep, it was originally developed as a military off-roader before going commercial.
    As a result, while it isn’t as quick as the Aston, it is well-equipped to handle almost anything you throw at it.
    Mercedes van
    Neymar has apparently requested a Mercedes van complete with a chauffeur to be on hand 24 hours a day (stock image)Credit: Getty
    Exact specifications are unknown for this entry, but Neymar has apparently requested a Mercedes van complete with a chauffeur to be on hand 24 hours a day.
    It will be used to transport the star striker as well as friends and family that might come to visit him in the offseason.
    The driver will be on call every day of the year to respond to Neymar’s every wish as part of his bumper transfer package.
    Ferrari 458 Italia
    Being a nippy player, it’s no surprise Neymar has a penchant for Italian speed merchants Ferrari.
    Clocking in at around £160,000, the 458 Italia is a top-of-the-range supercar and every petrolhead’s dream toy.
    Mesut Ozil, Louis Saha and Mario Balotelli have all been spotted behind the wheel of one, making it a footballers’ favourite.
    Maserati MC12
    Only 50 of these uber-rare Maseratis were made (stock image)Credit: Getty – Contributor
    Only 50 of these uber-rare Maseratis were made during the production run from 2004 to 2005.
    It was actually only produced to allow 12 specially-produced examples to race in the FIA GT Championship.
    The competition’s rules state that all entries must have at least 25 production examples to take part.
    This informs the whopping retail price of £415,000.
    Neymar was lucky enough to get his hands on one but, understandably, is rarely seen taking it for a spin.
    Multiple Audis
    Neymar has owned a number of Audis, largely through the manufacturer’s sponsorship of his former club Barcelona.
    For a sportier ride, he drives a R8 Spyder that starts at around £120,000.
    Then there’s the RS7, a twin-turbo, V8 TFSI engine beast that musters up an impressive 605 hp. That costs around £120,000.
    Wanting a more comfortable drive, and ideal for the training ground journeys, he’s also been spotted riding a Q7.
    Their classic SUV has a starting price of around £50,000.
    Porsche Panamera Turbo
    Another in a long list of high-speed motors that Neymar can call his is the Panamera Turbo (stock image)Credit: Getty
    Another in a long list of high-speed motors that Neymar can call his is the Panamera Turbo.
    With a 0-60mph of 3.1 seconds, it’s as nippy as his Lambo.
    However, being front-engined makes it a little less easy to handle compared to the Lamborghini’s more balanced mid-engine setup.
    Then again, if you like sliding the back end out in a fast track corner, it might just be for you.
    VW Touareg
    As flamboyant as he is on the pitch, Neymar does love a comfortable drive.
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    He’s been known to favour VW’s classic Touareg, which is chump change for the goalscoring whizz.
    At a starting price of just £44,000, it’s the cheapest car in his collection. More

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    Chelsea in stitches at Liverpool’s latest transfer target as they spot bizarre coincidence after beating Reds to stars

    CHELSEA fans made light of Liverpool’s little-known latest transfer target after spotting a funny coincidence. Jurgen Klopp’s side are desperate to recruit further midfield options before the transfer deadline.
    Wataru Endo is set to sign for LiverpoolCredit: Rex
    They have already sold Fabinho and Jordan Henderson earlier this summer, while James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita all left on free transfers.
    But, after being snubbed in favour of Chelsea by Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, the Reds remain short of options.
    So Liverpool have turned their attention to Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo, according to Fabrizio Romano.
    But Chelsea fans loved how close the name sounds to Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo.
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    One said: “They couldn’t get Enzo now they are going for Endo.”
    Another added: “Caicedo + Enzo = Endo.”
    And, with the deal coming out of the Blue, one fan joked: “They couldn’t wait till tomorrow!! Cos Chelsea hijack.”
    And a second commented: “Signing some random won’t help them compete.”
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    Endo has been given permission to travel to England to complete his move, worth £15.5million.
    He has just a year remaining on his Stuttgart contract and the Bundesliga club had been eager to renew his deal.
    But Endo is keen to join Liverpool after learning of their interest.
    He joined Stuttgart, initially on loan, from Sint-Truiden in 2019.
    He had moved to European football with the Belgian side a year earlier from J-League outfit Urawa Red Diamonds.
    In addition to holding midfield, Endo can also play at centre-back.
    The 50-cap international was named in Japan’s squads for the last two World Cups.
    He featured in Stuttgart’s season opener last weekend, scoring in his side’s 4-0 DFB-Pokal win over TSG Balingen.
    Jurgen Klopp is desperate for a new midfielderCredit: Getty More

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    Real Madrid ready to HIJACK Saudi Arabian club in shock transfer for Man City star after losing key man to injury

    REAL MADRID could hijack Aymeric Laporte’s move to Saudi Arabia.Al-Nassr agreed a fee with Manchester City for the Spain defender, 29.
    Real Madrid could hijack Aymeric Laporte’s move to Saudi ArabiaCredit: Getty
    But Laporte is weighing up whether he fancies the Middle East despite all the riches on offer.
    He is also waiting to see if Madrid show any interest after losing their  Brazil star Eder Militao to a torn ACL.
    Laporte lost his place in Pep Guardiola’s team following the arrival of Swiss international Manuel Akanji last August.
    The Spain international was limited to just 12 Premier League appearances.
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    Now City have paid £77million to sign Croatia star Josko Gvardiol, pushing Laporte even further down the pecking order.
    Joining Al-Nassr would see Laporte link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and former Liverpool striker Sadio Mane.
    While the Saudi giants are also reported to be interested in signing Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
    The Brazilian is understood to be tempted by the move with Al-Nassr likely to offer Alisson huge wages.
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    Laporte would be the third member of the Treble winning squad to leave this summer following the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez. 
    He has two years remaining on his contract so this is perhaps the last summer City will be able to cash in on the defender for a big sum.
    He was also spotted taking photos of the Etihad after City’s last home game at the end of last season, hinting he could be on the way out of the club.
    Aymeric Laporte is linked with a move away from Manchester CityCredit: Getty More

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    Liverpool set to HIJACK Man Utd transfer for Sofyan Amrabat with deal ‘to be finalised in next few days’

    LIVERPOOL are looking to hijack Manchester United’s move for Sofyan Amrabat, Dutch reports say. Jurgen Klopp has been in search of a midfielder all summer having seen Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita and James Milner leave.
    Liverpool are looking to hijack Manchester United’s move for Sofyan AmrabatCredit: Getty
    But he has so far been left empty handed after Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia both snubbed Anfield for Chelsea.
    Now, according to AD in the Netherlands, Liverpool are close to signing Amrabat.
    It is claimed the Premier League club are “on track to finalise the deal in the coming days.”
    That would come as a blow to Manchester United, who have long been linked with the Moroccan international.
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    Klopp had announced that a deal with Brighton to sign Caicedo was done after Brighton accepted a £111million bid.
    But the player had his heart set on Chelsea, who later came in with a Premier League record offer of £115m.
    Lightening then struck twice after Liverpool came to terms with Southampton over the signing of Lavia.
    But again, the man himself wanted Chelsea and is now close to a move after Southampton accepted a deal worth £58m.
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    Liverpool were forced to play forward Cody Gakpo in midfield during their 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday.
    Crystal Palace’s Cheick Doucoure has since emerged as an alternative signing for Klopp before the window shuts.
    But Real Madrid have no intention of selling Liverpool’s top target Aurelien Tchouameni.
    Jurgen Klopp is in the market for a midfielderCredit: Getty More

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    Premier League giants on transfer red alert as Ansu Fati ‘decides to LEAVE Barcelona’

    ANSU FATI is set to spark a Premier League scramble after deciding to leave Barcelona.Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham have all been linked to making a move for the winger.
    Ansu Fati has decided to leave BarcelonaCredit: Getty
    And the Prem trio will be among clubs scrapping for the Spain international’s signature this summer.
    Fati, 20, burst onto the scene as a teenager three years ago, having been at Barcelona since he was nine.
    He is the youngest goal scorer in Champions League history, at the age of 17 years and 40 days.
    And he even inherited Lionel Messi’s iconic No 10 shirt with the Argentina legend left the club in 2021.
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    But Fati has slipped down the pecking order under boss Xavi.
    And Spanish publication AS report that the Guinea Bissau-born star now wants out.
    That represents a change of heart for Fati, who had been determined to earn his boss’ trust.
    But he was left on the bench for the disappointing 0-0 La Liga opener against Getafe.
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    And, to rub salt in the wound, he saw unknown kids Abde Ezzalzouli and Lamine Yamal come on ahead of him as Barca desperately hunted a winner.
    Fati was finally called on in the 79th minute, but failed to make an impact.
    And that appears to have been the final straw for Fati, as he looks to resurrect his career elsewhere.
    Atletico Madrid are reportedly also keen but have yet to contact Barcelona, meaning Prem sides can get a head start. More