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    Hakim Ziyech ‘turned down brutal Al-Nassr request’ as Saudi transfer falls through leaving Chelsea in lurch

    CHELSEA outcast Hakim Ziyech turned Al-Nassr down after the Saudi giants tried to drastically reduce his wages following his failed medical.Ziyech has been on the lookout for a new club since January when a move to Paris Saint-Germain fell through after a paperwork gaffe that saw the Blues sending the wrong documents on deadline day.
    Chelsea outcast Hakim Ziyech has failed a medical amid interest from Al-NassrCredit: Getty
    That led to a 40 per cent decrease to Ziyech’s wage proposal, which he rejectedCredit: Getty
    The winger is still looking for a way out of Stamford Bridge following a successful World Cup campaign in Qatar that saw Morocco becoming the first ever African country making it to the semi-finals.
    The 30-year-old had been talking with Al-Nassr and looked close to joining Cristiano Ronaldo in a £17million deal.
    However, the move appears to have fallen through after the Morocco international didn’t pass his medical.
    According to sports broadcaster Ben Jacobs, Ziyech flew to Madrid for further checks.
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    The tests showed there are “red flags” in the ex-Ajax star’s hip and knee.
    Al-Nassr have thus modified their offer and are now offering the Moroccan a new contract with his basic wage reduced by a whopping 40 per cent.
    Ziyech was not keen to accept that proposal.
    Thus, a move to the Saudi Pro League appears to be “off” for the time being.
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    Ziyech fell down the pecking order last season at Chelsea and struggled for opportunities under Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard.
    The West Londoners’ new manager Mauricio Pochettino is putting together a mass clearout in his bloated squad.
    The versatile forward is among the top candidates to go but the latest development leaves his future in limbo
    If Ziyech goes to Saudi Arabia he will be joining former team-mates N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy, who joined Al-Ittihad, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli respectively. More

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    Liverpool transfer blow as Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig ‘show interest’ in summer transfer swoop for Lyon star

    LIVERPOOL have been dealt a transfer blow in their bid to sign Lyon star Bradley Barcola, reports suggest.The Reds were thought to be leading the race for Barcola in the summer transfer window.
    Liverpool are keeping tabs on Lyon star Bradley Barcola this summerCredit: AP
    Liverpool have been joined by Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig in the race for BarcolaCredit: Rex
    According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, however, Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig have joined the bidding war for the winger.
    Both PSG and Leipzig are informed of the France Under-21 international’s situation at OL.
    However, Lyon want to hold onto their highly-rated 20-year-old talent ahead of the coming season.
    Liverpool have reportedly sent scouts to watch Barcola on several occasions.
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    The Frenchman burst onto the scene with 13 first-team appearances in the 2021-2022 campaign.
    Barcola upped his game last season with seven goals and 10 assists in 31 appearances.
    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is looking for a significant rebuild at Anfield after the Merseysiders finished fifth last term.
    Klopp has already landed Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton to strengthen his midfield.
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    And the Reds are now closing in on a £60million deal for Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai.
    Personal terms have already been sorted between Szoboszlai and Liverpool.
    The Hungary international is now set to undergo a medical at the Kop. More

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    Barcelona have ‘everything agreed upon’ with PSG for sensational Neymar transfer return except for one big issue

    BARCELONA have “everything agreed upon” for Neymar to return to Barcelona from PSG – but there is one major issue standing in the way. Neymar famously swapped Spain for France in 2017 for £198million in what remains the biggest transfer of all time.
    Neymar is linked with a return to BarcelonaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    But following six years in Paris, the club and player look ready to part ways, putting Europe’s elite on notice.
    Chelsea and Manchester United are among those linked with Neymar but a return to the Nou Camp appears to be the forward’s preference.
    And according to beIN Sports’ Khaled Waleed, PSG and Barca have an agreement in place for the transfer.
    But Neymar’s salary proves a sticking point and would need PSG to help pay a bulk of it.
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    The Samba superstar is believed to earn £600,000-a-week, leaving even the super-rich French kings wanting to get him off their books.
    But Barca’s dire financial situation leaves them in no position to match Neymar’s current salary.
    It could mean striking a loan agreement with PSG were the player’s wages are shared.
    But Barca boss Xavi – a former team-mate Neymar’s – brutally shut down a reunion when pressed last month.
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    He said: “I’m surprised… he’s not in our plan. I really like Ney as a friend, but we have different priorities.”
    Neymar has pushed to leave PSG before but he found himself shut down.
    Although now, the Ligue 1 champs are understood to be willing to let Neymar leave and have encouraged him to find a club.

    Barca also missed out on bringing Lionel Messi back to Barca this summer after the Argentine announced he was leaving PSG.
    Money issues meant a deal could not be agreed and Messi instead revealed he will play for Inter Miami in the MLS next.
    Lionel Messi and Neymar at PSGCredit: Reuters More

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    Fans spot incoming Liverpool transfer’s Szoboszlai’s bizarre penalty tactic… and can’t believe he NEVER misses

    GOALKEEPERS know exactly where Dominik Szoboszlai is going to put his penalties… but they still can’t stop them.The RB Leipzig ace is on the verge of signing for Liverpool in a £60million deal.
    Do you know how much you have to back your accuracy and striking to put every penalty in the same corner.The goalkeepers all knew where Szoboszlai was going but it made no difference.pic.twitter.com/o1ib58Fb59— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) July 1, 2023

    Dominik Szoboszlai always hit his penalties into the same cornerCredit: Rex
    The Hungarian is always confident from the penalty spotCredit: EPA
    At Anfield he will have to compete with the likes of Mo Salah to be on spot-kick duty.
    But should he manage to grab responsibility, he has proven himself to be a reliable taker.
    Szoboszlai has scored 15 penalties in his career.
    And as pointed out by The Tactical Times, he ALWAYS goes the same way.
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    Goalkeepers know that the Hungarian will place the ball down to their right.
    But the 22-year-old backs his accuracy so much, that he always confidently strokes it home.
    Posting a video featuring a number of Szoboszlai’s penalties, The Tactical Times wrote: “Do you know how much you have to back your accuracy and striking to put every penalty in the same corner.
    “The goalkeepers all knew where Szoboszlai was going but it made no difference.”
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    Szoboszlai has only failed to score from one penalty in his career.
    That was his first Bundesliga penalty after joining RB Leipzig from RB Salzburg.
    With regular taker Emil Forsberg having come off, Szoboszlai was given the opportunity to show what he can do.
    He placed the ball into his usual spot, only for Leverkusen stopper Lukas Hradecky to somehow save it.
    He has since kept his cool, scoring spot kicks against England and Bayern Munich.
    Commenting on Szoboszlai’s tactic, one fan wrote: “Baffles me more players don’t take this approach, the run up even forces the keeper to hold his position until it’s too late!”
    While a second gushed: “He strikes the ball so cleanly.”
    Another added: “He seems to have that ability to accelerate his last step/half step out of nowhere. Just enough to catch the keeper a fraction of a second off guard.”
    Szoboszlai confidently bagged a penalty against EnglandCredit: PA More

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    Chelsea fans left confused as Blues announce another transfer arrival of wonderkid that they’ve never heard of

    CHELSEA have announced the signing of Diego Moreira from Benfica. The Portuguese starlet made two first team appearances last season having featured mainly for Benfica’s B team.
    Diego Moreira has become the latest wonderkid to join ChelseaCredit: Getty
    He is currently on international duty in the European U-21 Championship.
    Chelsea were linked with the winger earlier in the season but the official announcement of the deal has shocked some fans.
    It comes on the same morning the Blues also signed Norwich wonderkid Alex Matos.
    And they have already snapped up 15-year-old Kendry Paez this summer.
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    One said: “Who is this guy now??”
    A second wrote: “Who are these guys.”
    Another baffled supporter added: “Who are these people signing???”
    While one joked: “Who is this countryside musician?”
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    The incomings are part of a huge rebuild this summer under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
    Chelsea have already shifted six senior players this window.
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    Kai Havertz joined Arsenal in a £65million deal while Manchester City signed Mateo Kovacic for £30m.
    N’Golo Kante, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy have all left for Saudi Arabia and Hakim Ziyech could soon follow.

    Ruben Loftus-Cheek also announced his departure for AC Milan and fellow academy graduate Mason Mount is close to joining United for £60m.
    Alongside the string of starlets, the Blues have so far brought in Christopher Nkunku and completed a seal for Villarreal striker Nicolas Jackson on Friday.
    Nicolas Jackson has signed for Chelsea More

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    Chelsea transfer blow as ‘Real Madrid want Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic on loan before making Kylian Mbappe move next year’

    CHELSEA have suffered a transfer blow after Real Madrid reportedly registered an interest in signing Dusan Vlahovic.The Blues have admired the striker for some time and it is believed Juventus would be open to letting him go this summer.
    Real Madrid want to sign Dusan VlahovicCredit: Getty
    Chelsea confirmed the arrival of striker Nicolas Jackson on Friday but Mauricio Pochettino may be keen to add more firepower to his attack.
    However Chelsea could miss out on Vlahovic as Real Madrid want to sign the Serbia international, according to Calciomercato.
    It is claimed the Spanish giants are considering a loan move for Vlahovic, which will include a fee in the region of £13-17million.
    That would allow Real to make a move for Kylian Mbappe next summer when the superstar’s Paris Saint-Germain contract runs out.
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    But it is possible Chelsea could still win the race for Vlahovic and they are willing to offer Juventus a player in exchange.
    Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Trevoh Chalobah, Romelu Lukaku and Kalidou Koulibaly were all believed to have been offered during talks between the two clubs.
    Koulibaly and Loftus-Cheek have since departed with Pulisic also close to joining AC Milan, but the money from their sales and that of Mateo Kovacic and Kai Havertz could fund a move for Vlahovic.
    Juventus value Vlahovic at £68million and club chiefs are desperate to sell him this summer.
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    The striker joined the club in a £62m transfer from Fiorentina in January last year, but he has struggled to find form with 23 goals in 63 games for The Old Lady.
    Vlahovic is also a long-term Arsenal transfer target but it appears Mikel Arteta has focused on other players this summer, including Declan Rice. More

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    Man Utd CONFIRM Andre Onana transfer interest with bid expected this week as David de Gea leaves club

    MANCHESTER UNITED have confirmed their interest in signing Andre Onana, according to Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta.The Red Devils have been linked to the goalkeeper, who worked with Erik ten Hag at Ajax, over the last few weeks.
    Inter Milan CEO Beppe Marotta confirmed Manchester United’s interest in Andre OnanaCredit: Getty
    David de Gea’s contract has expiredCredit: Getty
    And now Inter appear to be preparing for an opening bid, which Marotta believes could come next week.
    He said: “Manchester United have expressed an interest (in Onana) which may or may not lead to an offer in the next few days.
    “Once that happens, both Inter and the player will carefully assess it.”
    United are said to have held talks with Onana’s agent and sounded out a potential fee, with Inter reportedly refusing to sell the keeper for less than £50million.
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    Reports claim Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio flew to the UK last month to discuss a transfer for Onana, 27, who appears to be Ten Hag’s number one choice to replace David de Gea.
    The Spaniard’s contract has expired after United withdrew their offer of a one-year extension.

    De Gea reportedly accepted the new deal on vastly reduced terms, agreeing to slash his £375,000-a-week wages.
    United have released the shot-stopper but revealed they remain in discussions with the 32-year-old.
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    United are also eyeing Anderlecht keeper Bart Verbruggen but could miss out on the youngster to Brighton.
    Brentford stopper David Raya and Porto’s Diogo Costa are other targets. More

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    Liverpool ‘trigger Szoboszlai release clause four hours before expiry with Reds set to beat Newcastle to £60m transfer’

    LIVERPOOL are set to sign RB Leipzig star Dominik Szoboszlai after triggering his release clause.The Reds look ready to beat Premier League rivals Newcastle for Szoboszlai’s signature.
    Liverpool are ready to beat Newcastle for RB Leipzig star Dominik SzoboszlaiCredit: Getty
    Liverpool have met Szoboszlai’s special £60million release clauseCredit: AFP
    That is according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who reports that the Merseysiders have met the player’s special €70million (£60m) asking price.
    Personal terms have been sorted between the Hungary international and Jurgen Klopp’s side.
    The 22-year-old is now set to undergo a medical at the Kop ahead of his arrival.
    It’s believed that Szoboszlai has a release clause worth £60m, which expires tonight.
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    And Liverpool have managed to match it just four hours before its expiry.
    If Klopp’s team had failed then they would have faced the prospect of having to negotiate an even larger fee with Leipzig.
    Newcastle were also interested in Szoboszlai but ultimately withdrew from the race.
    The Magpies have turned their attention to AC Milan star Sandro Tonalli.
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    Szoboszlai joined Leipzig from sister club Red Bull Salzburg in 2021 and has since shone bright in the Bundesliga.
    The versatile forward has amassed a total of 20 goals and 22 assists in 91 appearances for the German giants.
    The Hungary captain has also impressed while on international duty with seven goals in 32 caps. More