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    Italy star who scored against England ‘offered to Premier League sides for bargain £14m transfer’

    ITALY’S new No 9 Mateo Retegui is being offered round Premier League clubs in a “bargain” deal.Retegui, 24, scored against England in March but his club future is in doubt as he is on loan at Argentine side Tigre from Boca Juniors.
    Retegui could be sold for just £14m this summerCredit: AFP
    Tigre have an option to buy a percentage of Retegui for around £8million but he is on offer for Prem teams to buy at £14m.
    That is still a low sum with Boca willing to deal.
    Retegui has scored 11 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions so far this season.
    He received his first senior international call-up in March ahead of Italy’s Euro 2024 qualifiers and scored on his debut in a 2-1 defeat to England.
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    The striker netted again in a 2-0 win over Malta just three days later.
    Despite Retegui’s international allegiance to Italy, the Boca Juniors loanee had never played or lived in the country before he was called up to the national team.
    He was also unable to speak the language.
    The striker grew up in Argentina and his only connection with Italy is through his maternal grandmother.
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    As a child he was on the books of River Plate before joining Boca Juniors in 2016.
    He has since been loaned out three times.
    Retegui is already on the radar of several European clubs.
    Leeds United are understood to be interested in signing him, but the Whites face competition from both AC and Inter Milan for his signature.
    Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt are also monitoring the striker. More

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    Wilfried Zaha offered £10MILLION a season to quit Crystal Palace and snub fellow Premier League sides in transfer window

    WILFRIED ZAHA is wanted by Qatari side Al Sadd — and will be offered about £10million a year to sign.The super-rich outfit are prepared to throw fortunes at free-agent Zaha, who has yet to agree terms at Crystal Palace as he considers his options.
    Wilfried Zaha is a target for Qatar giants Al SaddCredit: Reuters
    He was in Dubai on a break last week after his season was ended by injury, a hamstring tear that may take a couple of months to recover from.
    The Ivory Coast international, 30, is still hoping for a bigger club to come in from England or Europe.
    But the injury has come at a bad time for him as he looks for a final major pay day.
    Palace want an answer as they have lined up possible moves for Brazilian youngster Matheus Franca and Sunderland winger Jack Clarke if Zaha and his big wages are out of their budget.
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    The Eagles also hope to sign Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma on a free this week — with James McArthur’s Selhurst Park career ending and Luka Milivojevic leaving.
    Stoke plan to buy Palace midfielder Killian Phillips, 21, after he impressed for neighbours Shrewsbury.
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    Alex Neil is keen on the industrious prospect and wants to sign him permanently following a good loan spell with Shrews in League One.
    Coventry and Luton like Phillips too but are more interested in loan arrangements.
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    Ex-Man Utd & Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez set to be unemployed as he looks for third Premier League club on free transfer

    A PREMIER League return could be on the cards for Alexis Sanchez.The Chilean forward, 34, is a free agent following a spell at Marseille.
    Alexis Sanchez fancies another shot at the English top flightCredit: Getty
    And Sanchez is keen on a third club in England after stints at Arsenal and Manchester United.
    Sanchez can stay with his French side — but the feelers are out to Prem sides.
    The ex-Udinese and Barcelona star was a huge hit at Arsenal from 2014-18, twice winning the FA Cup.
    But he flopped after moving to Old Trafford, heading off to Inter Milan, first on loan and then permanently.
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    And he’s nearing the end of his first season in Ligue 1, with Marseille likely to remain in third place.
    It’s been claimed in Chile that the Gunners are considering an offer.
    But the 153-cap ace has never looked the same player he was at the Emirates since his unwanted exit five years ago.
    Some supporters, however, have called for his return.
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    But many were angry at his departure to big rivals United for around £391,000 a week plus bonuses.
    Sanchez has revealed he was instead poised to join Manchester City.
    But an Etihad player set to switch the other way to the Emirates declined the move.
    Sanchez has previously said: “Everything was ready, there was a player who was going to go to Arsenal.
    “Then [Arsene] Wenger tells me you are not leaving because the other player did not want to come and they do not have another.
    “Suddenly the cell phone rings. (Jose) Mourinho tells me: ‘Alexis, here is the seven [shirt] available for you.'”
    Sanchez added: “That’s when I said to myself, Chilean footballer playing for Manchester United, something that has never happened.” More

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    Man Utd icon Paul Scholes warns Mauricio Pochettino that Chelsea need SIX new big transfers including entire back five

    PAUL SCHOLES has fired a warning to potential new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino over the Blues squad.The Manchester United legend has claimed that the Stamford Bridge side needs SIX new players to improve.
    Paul Scholes has argued that Chelsea need six new playersCredit: Getty
    He sent the warning to potential new manager Mauricio PochettinoCredit: Getty
    Scholes argued that the Blues need an entirely new backlineCredit: AFP
    Scholes thinks that Chelsea need to sign an entirely new backline as well as a goalkeeper and a forward.
    The Blues’ defence have leaked 46 goals in the Premier League this season, 13 more than they allowed last term.
    This is despite the arrival of big-money signings such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Benoit Badiashile.
    While goalkeepers Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy have both struggled to show their best form.
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    Due to their drop in performances, the pair have both been linked with exits from the club.
    Scholes told Premier League Productions: “I think he [Pochettino] is going to have to buy a couple of centre-halves, possibly a right-back, possibly a left-back, a whole new back four.
    “I’m not sure about either goalkeeper.
    “But I think going forward, I always look at a team and I’m excited when they create chances.
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    “I think adding a centre-forward to that, they’re always going to create chances and if you’ve got a team who can score goals, you’ve always got a chance.”
    Pochettino is expected to be named the new Chelsea manager at the end of the season, with him taking over the role from interim boss Frank Lampard.
    The Argentine will also have to sort out the club’s failing attack, which has only produced 37 goals in 37 league games this season.
    That record is 39 less than they managed to notch during the 38 league games last season.
    Chelsea have been linked with attackers such as Napoli star Victor Osimhen in order to add more firepower to the attack. More

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    Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit reveals he REGRETS Chelsea transfer and names club he wished he’d joined instead

    ARSENAL legend Emmanuel Petit admits he regrets joining Chelsea over Manchester United.The French World Cup winner won nothing in three years at Stamford Bridge after arriving from Barcelona in 2001.
    Emmanuel Petit won the Prem and FA Cup double at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger and rejected the chance to return there in 2001Credit: PA:Empics Sport
    Ex-France hero believes he got it wrong in joining Chelsea from BarcaCredit: Getty
    Petit moved to Chelsea despite two calls from Old Trafford boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger urging him to return to Arsenal.
    The midfielder blames his decision on his then-wife wanting to live in London and not Manchester. 
    And having picked up no silverware in his one season with Barca, he had equally-mixed fortunes at Chelsea before retiring in 2004.
    Petit famously helped Arsenal win the Premier League and FA Cup double in 1997-98 then moved to the Nou Camp in 2000.
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    And he explained how a year later he was once more a wanted man in England.
    Petit, 52, told FourFourTwo. “Arsenal approached me but so did Manchester United.
    “I spoke to Arsene. He really wanted me back, but I was honest with him.
    “I said, ‘I appreciate it and it’s very tempting, but I didn’t feel that you wanted me to stay when I signed for Barcelona a year ago’. 
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    “It’s like divorcing somebody. When you don’t feel desired by them, what’s the point of going back?
    “I should have gone to Manchester United, because Sir Alex Ferguson called me twice. 
    “We had a very good conversation and it was tempting, but once again I listened to my wife. 
    “She wanted to go back to London – she didn’t want to live in Manchester – so I made the same mistake twice in one year.”
    However, the anchorman’s affections clearly still lie with the Gunners.
    And he’s backing Emirates manager Mikel Arteta to make further progress next season after being certain of finishing runners-up this term. More

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    Man Utd ‘some way off’ Mason Mount transfer agreement as Red Devils refuse to meet Chelsea’s sky-high valuation

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly a long way short of agreeing a transfer for Mason Mount.The Red Devils are keen to try and sign the Chelsea midfielder, 24, this summer as he enters the final year of his Stamford Bridge contract.
    Mason Mount is a transfer target for Manchester UnitedCredit: Rex
    But according to the Independent, the Blues are demanding a staggering £55million for the academy graduate.
    And the report insists the Old Trafford side are not even close to matching that sky-high valuation – especially amid uncertainty over the club’s ownership and transfer budget.
    Erik ten Hag is prioritising a new striker and a centre-back when the transfer window reopens.
    Liverpool and Arsenal have also shown interest in Mount.
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    But it is understood the 36-cap England ace would favour a move to United, where he would link up with a host of Three Lions team-mates.
    And the report adds that if a transfer fee can be agreed on with Chelsea, United would be in pole position and expected to complete the signing of Mount.
    That could even see the former Derby loanee link up with best pal Declan Rice again, although the West Ham captain is more likely to join Arsenal.
    Mount has refused any new contract offers put on the table by Chelsea.
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    Frank Lampard dismissed talk of the star’s future and said: “That’s not my answer to make. That’s between Mason and the club.”
    Incoming Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino is understood to be keen to have Mount as part of his set-up when he takes over.
    Should Mount join United, SunSport revealed it could trigger a transfer merry-go-round including Scott McTominay, Donny van de Beek and Rice. More

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    Carlo Ancelotti ‘makes Harry Kane his No1 transfer target at Real Madrid as Spurs scramble to stop star joining Man Utd’

    CARLO ANCELOTTI has reportedly made Harry Kane his top target for this summer’s transfer window.The under-pressure Real Madrid manager, 63, is looking to bolster his frontline and add competition for star striker Karim Benzema.
    Harry Kane has been linked with an exit from Tottenham this summerCredit: Alamy
    Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly made Kane his No1 transfer targetCredit: Getty
    Los Blancos fell away in the La Liga title race and were thrashed by Manchester City in the Champions League during a surprisingly underwhelming season.
    As a result the Spanish giants are looking to strengthen ahead of next season, with a deal for Jude Bellingham almost wrapped up.
    The Italian boss likes Kane, 29, due to his style of movement and his experience, according to Diario AS.
    The report states that the England international is viewed as the “ideal” replacement and complement to Benzema.
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    Kane is about to enter the final year of his contract at Tottenham and has been linked with an exit from the underperforming club.
    Spurs are on the edge of failing to qualify for a European competition after another trophyless season.
    Kane has been tipped for a move away from the club, with Manchester United suggested as his most likely destination.
    However, Tottenham would prefer to sell Kane to a foreign club to avoid strengthening one of their rivals.
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    Spurs are thought to have actively sought out Real Madrid to avoid having to face Kane in the Premier League next season.
    Kane has been linked to the club before but has stayed put in North London since emerging from Spurs’ youth academy in 2014.
    Despite failing to win any major trophies with the club, Kane has established himself as one of best strikers in the world.
    Kane has excelled this season, having netted 30 goals in all competitions. More

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    Tottenham chase Manor Solomon transfer as Shakhtar fume at Fifa for allowing Fulham loan star to move for FREE

    TOTTENHAM are in the hunt for Manor Solomon – who is set to be available for nothing this summer.The Israeli has been at Fulham on a year-long deal after suspending his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk, following Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. 
    Manor Solomon has impressed at Fulham this termCredit: Getty
    Fifa have ruled that he can leave Shakhtar for free this summer, sparking interest from a number of clubs across Europe.
    In amongst them are Spurs, as well as Fulham who would like to sign him permanently. 
    Winger Solomon, 23, has netted five goals in 23 appearances for the Cottagers this term in all competitions. 
    All five strikes came in consecutive games during a particularly hot streak in February and early March.
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    Shakhtar chief Sergei Palkin has criticised Fifa’s decision to allow their players to move abroad for nothing.
    He said: “The over-reaching measures applied by Fifa led to massive loss of player transfer income and a depletion of essential Club revenues.
    “We believe the extension of Annex 7 continues to place clubs like FC Shakhtar in Ukraine in a seriously disadvantaged position with zero protection and threatens our very existence.”
    Fulham have defied expectations that they would be in a relegation battle this term following promotion.
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    Marco Silva’s side have secured tenth place and can reach a whopping 55 points if they win at Manchester United on Sunday.
    Spurs, meanwhile, will begin the final day in eighth after a disastrous run of form.
    Should they win at relegation-threatened Leeds and Aston Villa fail to beat Brighton, however, Ryan Mason’s side would scrape into the Europa Conference League for next season. More