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      Chelsea ‘want exemption to Premier League spending rules’ after £300m January transfer window splurge

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      CHELSEA are reportedly set to seek exemptions to the Premier League spending rules after splashing more than £300MILLION in the January transfer window.New owner Todd Boehly has wasted no time in getting his chequebook out since arriving at Stamford Bridge, with the American shelling out £600M on 17 PLAYERS since arriving in May last year.
      Enzo Fernandez broke the British transfer record with his moveCredit: Alamy
      Todd Boehly has spent more than £600m since taking over at ChelseaCredit: Alamy
      And now, after spending all of that money over the past nine months, The Mail are reporting Chelsea will request exemptions to the Premier League spending rules when they submit their accounts at the end of the season.
      They are doing so by arguing they were unable to receive income for three months in 2022 when former owner, Roman Abramovich, was sanctioned by the UK government.
      The regulations dictate that a club can lose up to £105m over a three-year period.
      Chelsea were in danger of breaching those restrictions for the year ending 2021.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Chelsea’s spending spree since Todd Boehly’s takeover
      But, like several other clubs, the Blues were given special allowances due to the pandemic.
      Now they are hoping to secure similar exemptions once again.
      It is not yet clear how the Premier League will respond to Chelsea’s request.
      Boehly’s outfit could also face difficulty complying with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play rules.
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      Chelsea have previously been placed on Uefa’s “watch list” which consists of clubs in danger of breaching the regulations.
      Despite spending a fortune, the Blues continue to struggle in the Premier League.
      They sit ninth in the table and could miss out on a European place altogether.
      Graham Potter’s men are still in the Champions League but face a tough last-16 clash against Borussia Dortmund. More

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      Paul Merson warns of ‘domino effect’ at Chelsea as he slams ‘no logic’ January transfer deals

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      ARSENAL legend Paul Merson has warned Chelsea about a “scary ripple effect” from their “excessive” transfer policy.New owner Todd Boehly has spent more than £600MILLION on players since taking over from Roman Abramovich in May.
      Enzo Fernandez broke the British transfer record in his move to ChelseaCredit: Alamy
      Mykhailo Mudryk joined Chelsea in an £88million January dealCredit: Alamy
      Paul Merson has criticised Chelsea’s transfer policyCredit: Rex
      That has included a £330m spree in the January window as the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk arrived at Stamford Bridge.
      Both Fernandez and Mudryk have signed huge eight-and-a-half year deals to keep them at the club until 2031.
      And Merson feels that could end up being an issue for Chelsea in the coming seasons.
      Speaking in his column for The Star, the ex-Arsenal man said: “I worry for the future of Chelsea when Todd Boehly is handing out eight-year contracts like there is no tomorrow.
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      Chelsea’s spending spree since Boehly’s takeover
      “Football is a funny old game and eight years is such a long time.
      “There is going to be a domino effect at Stamford Bridge – that’s for sure. It’s alright now but in five years, where are Chelsea going to be?
      “Boehly and the new hierarchy can’t keep doing this because if they don’t get Champions League football, they’re already in trouble.
      “Chelsea have to get rid of players at the end of the season in order to be sustainable but those on big contracts will now be digging their heels into the ground and trying to ride it out.
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      “The potential ripple effect is scary and it almost seems like there has been no logical thinking behind their excessive spending.”
      Fernandez and Mudryk – who joined Chelsea for a combined total of £198m – both made their first starts for the club on Friday night.
      But they could not lead Graham Potter’s men to victory as Fulham held them to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
      And Mudryk was taken off at half-time, with Potter confirming after the game that he had been suffering with a cold during the week.
      Meanwhile, Fernandez impressed at a time when Chelsea have several midfielders out injured – including N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Denis Zakaria and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. More

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      Man Utd ‘lead race’ for Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati but he has a €1BILLION release clause

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      MANCHESTER UNITED lead the way for a sensational swoop for Barcelona wonderkid Ansu Fati, reports suggest.However, Fati, 20, carries a world record €1billion (£898million) release clause and Barca are not keen to let their young star go.
      Manchester United are keeping tabs on Barcelona’s €1billion star Ansu FatiCredit: Getty
      Manchester United lead the way for Barcelona star Ansu FatiCredit: Rex
      According to Sport, United understand the Blaugrana’s position but have still expressed an interest in case the exit door creaks open.
      This comes at a time when the winger is becoming increasingly unsettled at the Nou Camp due to the lack of minutes.
      The Spain international was considered the next rising star when he made his senior debut at the tender age of 17 in 2020.
      However, persistent knee problems have hampered Fati’s development.
      Read More on Football
      Although the Spaniard has already played 30 times this season, he has only started nine times and completed a full match just twice.
      As a result, United and other Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on the forward.
      In fact, the Red Devils pose as the likeliest candidate to complete a potential deal.
      The Manchester giants are hoping Barcelona’s financial problems would help their cause and dramatically reduce his astronomical release clause.
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      United are still searching for a top attacker to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
      Erik ten Hag’s side is also keeping tabs on Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen, who has registered a whopping total of 15 goals and four assists in 20 appearances this season.
      But the Red Devils are facing intense competition from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. More

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      Chelsea to rival Man Utd in race for Napoli star Victor Osimhen and could break transfer record despite splashing £606m

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      CHELSEA are ready to continue their spending spree with a mega-money summer move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.The Blues’ new owners believe the Nigeria international could be the final piece in a puzzle having already spent more than £600m.
      Chelsea are keen on Napoli’s Victor OsimhenCredit: Getty
      And they would be prepared to break the British transfer record of £107m they have just set for Enzo Fernandez in order to land Osimhen.
      The striker, 24, is set to be one of the most in-demand players in the next transfer window.
      Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs also in the hunt for Osimhen, whose 14 goals in 16 Serie A games have sent Napoli to the top of the table.
      The Italian giants don’t want to lose their star man but are confident of generating a high-stakes auction for a player who will have two years left on his contract in the summer.
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      Osimhen would fit Chelsea’s new strategy of signing young players on long-term contracts.
      The Blues committed a record-breaking £323m in January alone to bring in Fernandez and £88m Mykhailo Mudryk, who are both 22, five other permanent signings in their early 20s, and Joao Felix, 23, on loan.
      But Graham Potter’s team is still struggling for goals.
      Despite that, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the club’s only senior central striker, was left out of the Champions League squad to make way for new arrivals.
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      Chelsea are reported already to have agreed a £63m deal to sign RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku in the summer, although it is yet to be formally confirmed.
      But the Blues are prepared to take their spending to almost £200m on strikers alone – and more than £800m in total under the new owners – by moving for Osimhen as well. More

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      I’m the ex-Chelsea star who gave Enzo Fernandez his start in football… I cried when he scored at the World Cup

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      ENZO FERNANDEZ took to the field for the first time in a Chelsea shirt last night and already looked like he had a point to prove. The Premier League’s record signing was the star of the show, despite his side only managing a 0-0 draw at home to Fulham.
      Enzo Fernandez celebrates his first World Cup goalCredit: Getty
      However, the Blues may never have chosen to splash out £107m for the midfielder if it wasn’t for the work one of their former players put in.
      Back in 2020, Fernandez had made just one start for River Plate and the decision was made to send him out on loan.
      A small club from the outskirts of Buenos Aires called Defensa y Justicia would win the race for the future World Cup winner, thanks to a former River legend.
      Defensa y Justicia play in a stadium that holds just ten thousand and had never even been in Argentina’s top flight until 2014.
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      But the arrival of Hernan Crespo as coach would give them a pull they’d never had before and lead the club to unprecedented success.
      Against all odds, the team would win the Copa Sudamericana – South America’s version of the Europa League – with Fernandez at the heart of things.
      They then also beat Brazilian giants Palmeiras in the Recopa – the Super Cup – with Fernandez scoring the decisive penalty in a shootout.
      That loan would provide the platform for the midfielder to excel at River Plate before a meteoric rise which saw him join Benfica, win the World Cup and secure a Premier League record move to Chelsea in just six months.
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      When the Argentina star announced himself on the global stage with a wondergoal against Mexico, it was fitting that none other than Crespo would be watching in the ESPN studio.
      When asked about his emotions watching Fernandez score his first national team goal, the former striker teared up.
      Crespo said: “[I’m emotional] Because I know Enzo. There are things that mark you and justify the work I do today.
      “To give 0.1 per cent of what is happening, because the rest is all his… everything. Everything that we were sharing.”
      Asked about an interview with Enzo’s father following the goal, Crespo said: “The dad makes me emotional. Enzo makes me emotional. Because I know the work of a lot of them.
      “It’s nice, you can see [what can happen] from humility, from work, from seriousness.
      “He had to make a great comeback, because it’s not easy to leave the River juniors and say; ‘Well, it doesn’t matter, I’ll go to Defensa [y Justicia] and try to earn a place at Defensa.’
      Hernán Crespo got emotional talking about Enzo Fernández. Crespo coached Enzo at Defensa y Justicia where they won the Copa Sudamericana together. Crespo is now coaching Al-Duhail SC in Qatar. Via @SC_ESPN.pic.twitter.com/bErC9TuSzd— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 27, 2022

      “Because he hasn’t been given anything, but always [he earned it], with force, always serious, always educated.
      “Today, at the very least, one lives from the reflection of his players.
      “And when these beautiful things happen, and especially when it has to do with the Argentine team, it’s emotional. Emotional.”
      Crespo was one of Roman Abramovich’s first Chelsea signings with the Blues and had a mixed period in West London.
      The Argentine notched a respectable 25 goals in 73 games, including a famous last minute opening day winner at Wigan.
      Read More on The Sun
      However, he was always thought of as more suited to Italian football, and went on loan to both AC Milan and Inter during his five-year Chelsea career.
      After signing an eight-year contract with the Blues, £107-million man Enzo Fernandez will hope to easily surpass his mentor.
      Hernan Crespo had a tear in his eye after Enzo Fernandez’s first Argentina goalCredit: ESPN
      Crespo holds the Copa Sudamericana trophy, which he won with Enzo Fernandez in midfield.Credit: AP
      Hernan Crespo had a mixed period at Chelsea, but did win the Premier LeagueCredit: AFP More

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      Everton ‘want Isco on free transfer to replace Anthony Gordon after ex-Real Madrid star’s Union Berlin move scrapped’

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      EVERTON want to sign free agent Isco to replace recently departed Anthony Gordon, according to reports.Ex-Spain international Isco, 30, left Real Madrid last summer at the end of his contract and joined Sevilla on a two-year deal.
      Everton are keen on signing Isco on a free transferCredit: Getty
      However, Isco made just 19 appearances, scoring once and assisting three in a season that has Sevilla sat two points above the relegation zone.
      Isco’s contract was then ripped up and the midfielder was closing in on a January transfer to Union Berlin.
      And all seemed to be going swimmingly after he arrived in Germany and underwent medical tests.
      But now Union Berlin have confirmed the deal will not go ahead after they released a cryptic statement.
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      It read: “We wanted to have Isco in Berlin, but we have our limits.
      “These were exceeded today – contrary to the previous agreement.”
      Following the breakdown in the transfer to Union Berlin, Everton have now registered an interest in Isco, according to Sport.
      The Toffees would like the five-time Champions League-winning midfielder to replace Gordon, who left for Newcastle in a £45million transfer last month.
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      Everton failed to sign a single player in the January transfer window despite being in need of reinforcements, enraging fans.
      The Merseyside club are sat 19th, and level on points with bottom-of-the-table Southampton.
      The report stats that it would only be a “matter of negotiations” with the player to get him signed to the dotted line. More

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      Juventus ‘considering selling or terminating Paul Pogba’s contract just months after joining amid injury-hit spell’

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      JUVENTUS are considering selling Paul Pogba – or even terminating his contract, according to shock reports. The French World Cup winner, 29, returned to the Old Lady in July following his release from Manchester United.
      Paul Pogba could be on his way back out of Juventus again this summerCredit: Getty
      However, seven months on, he is yet to make his debut thanks to a series of injuries.
      The midfielder required surgery after damaging his knee in pre-season and then was ruled out of Qatar 2022 with a thigh strain.
      And after being named on the bench last weekend against Monza, Max Allegri confirmed Pogba had “soreness in his flexors” to delay his long-awaited return further.
      Now the Daily Mail claim the club are weighing up the possibility of letting him leave this summer.
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      Ripping up his £130,000-a-week contract that runs until 2026 is described as “no longer an impossible scenario”.
      Another option could see Pogba sold, with the MLS a likely destination.
      By December 31, the star had cost Juventus £2.9million without playing a single minute of competitive football.
      Pogba won four Serie A titles in his four seasons with Juve between 2012 and 2016 before returning to United for a record-brekaing £89m.
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      But this 2022-23 campaign has been a nightmare for the player and the club.
      As well as his lack of action, the Old Lady are down in 13th in the table – 30 points off leaders Napoli – following their 15-point deduction following an investigation into their transfer activity.
      Allegri’s side were dumped out of the Champions League, scraping into the Europa League thanks to their solitary win over Maccabi Haifa. More

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      Man Utd flop Adnan Januzaj follows Isco out of Sevilla and joins Istanbul Basaksehir in shock loan transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED flop Adnan Januzaj has followed Isco out of the door at Sevilla and joined Istanbul Basaksehir on loan.Januzaj joined Sevilla on a free transfer last summer after his contract at Real Sociedad came to an end.
      Adnan Januzaj has joined Istanbul Basaksehir on loanCredit: Twitter @IstanbulBasaksehir
      Januzaj is under contract at Sevilla for another three yearsCredit: Twitter @IstanbulBasaksehir
      The former Man Utd wonderkid penned a four-year deal.
      However, a move to the six-time Europa League winners hasn’t exactly gone to plan.
      Sevilla sit 13th in LaLiga and just two points above the relegation zone.
      And Januzaj has made just six appearances this term, failing to score or assist.
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      As a result, the 27-year-old has joined Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir on loan.
      Januzaj is the latest high profile star to leave Sevilla, following ex-Real Madrid ace Isco.
      Isco had his Sevilla contract ripped up just months after joining in the summer from Real Madrid.
      The five-time Champions League winner is without a club following the collapse of a free transfer to Union Berlin.
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      Everton are said to be keen on Isco.
      Januzaj was linked with a return to the Premier League in the summer.
      West Ham were said to be keen on Januzaj, with the Hammers under the management of David Moyes.

      Januzaj played under Moyes at Man Utd and Sunderland.
      His first game in Turkey could come on Saturday against Alanyaspor. More