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    Rangers cleared to sign forgotten Man Utd player after Crystal Palace rule themselves out of running

    RANGERS are clear to sign former England keeper Jack Butland after Crystal Palace passed on the chance to extend his contract.The Eagles had the option of triggering a new one-year deal with Butland — who has been on loan with Manchester United — but decided against it.
    Jack Butland is edging closer to a Rangers moveCredit: Getty
    Palace already have two top keepers in Sam Johnstone and Vicente Guaita, making that department well covered and also expensive to run.
    Rangers have been keen on Butland, 30, for a year but only pressed on with a deal in recent weeks.
    Their initial interest faded when Allan McGregor returned to their plans.
    But his belated exit left them in need of an experienced replacement.
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    The former Stoke shot-stopper failed to make any appearances at Palace or United this season.
    Butland made nine league appearances for Palace in the league last season.
    He reportedly held talks over a move to Scotland on Tuesday night – the same day Gers confirmed the capture of Dujon Sterling.
    Last month we revealed how Man Utd were prepared to DOUBLE the wages offered by the Ibrox side in order to keep him at Old Trafford.
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    Butland has been capped nine times by England.
    Overall he has made 87 appearances in the Premier League, while making a further 161 in the Championship.
    Butland joined Man Utd on loan in January but hasn’t made an appearanceCredit: Getty More

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    Fans have theory Eden Hazard ‘sacrificed himself’ by terminating Real Madrid contract for good of Chelsea

    CHELSEA fans have a theory that Eden Hazard “sacrificed himself” by leaving Real Madrid for the good of his former club. Hazard saw his Real contract terminated by mutual consent after a horror four seasons in the Spanish capital.
    Eden Hazard has left Real MadridCredit: Getty
    And the move comes with the LaLiga giants linked with Chelsea’s Kai Havertz.
    So some Blues fans reckon Hazard has paved the way for Havertz to be sold after Real cleared space in their squad.
    One said: “Hazard sacrificed himself so Chelsea could get rid of Havertz… club legend.”
    Another agreed: “Hazard sacrificed himself for the greater good. Proper Chels.”
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    One added: “Hazard sacrificed himself so Madrid had to sign Havertz. F*****g trooper man.”
    Another joked: “Hazard sacrificed his soul so we get rid of Havertz.”
    Hazard, 32, left Chelsea for Real in 2019 in a deal worth up to £150million.
    But the Belgian struggled for form and with injuries, scoring just seven goals in his 76 appearances.
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    And after suffering a strained relationship with manager Carlo Ancelotti the club and player parted ways.
    Havertz, 23, meanwhile, joined Chelsea in 2020 for a then-club record £75m deal from Bayer Leverkusen.
    And despite scoring the winning goal in the Champions League final in his first season, the German has lacked consistency.
    It leaves Chelsea open to selling him in the summer, with Real leading the race for Havertz.
    Star striker Karim Benzema, 35, has left Madrid and is linked with a mega-money move to Saudi Arabia, leaving the side in search of a new No9.
    Kai Havertz is linked with a move to Real MadridCredit: AFP More

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    Incoming Spurs boss Postecoglou ready to raid Celtic for £30million striker as long-term replacement for Harry Kane

    TOTTENHAM want Ange Postecoglou to bring Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi with him from Celtic.The prolific marksman, who netted in the Scottish Cup final against Inverness, is already on Spurs’ wishlist as a partner, cover or even eventual replacement for club talisman Harry Kane.
    Tottenham’s incoming boss Ange Postecoglou could bring Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi with himCredit: Getty
    And if Postecoglou, 57, agrees to become Tottenham chief this week then that would vastly increase their chances of landing the Japanese ace.
    Furuhashi, 28, would be ideal for Spurs and they are prepared to pay around £25-30million to make him a major capture.
    Best known as Kyogo, the Hoops star has been one of the major successes in Postecoglou’s time in Scotland — with 23 goals in 31 league games.
    And, at his age, the chance of the Premier League may also be too good to refuse.
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    But there are other clubs in England with Kyogo in their sights because of his finishing, clever running and positive attitude.
    Postecoglou is currently waiting for permission to speak to Spurs supremo Daniel Levy.
    The Australian enjoys being boss at Celtic but may be open to a new challenge if the job is right.
    West Ham boss David Moyes has been backed as the front-runner for the Celtic post if Postecoglou leaves.
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    But Moyes insists he’s blanking it all out ahead of Wednesday’s Europa Conference League Final against Fiorentina.
    The Scottish tactician said: “I’ve never even considered it. I’m West Ham manager and I’m really enjoying my period here.
    “I’m hopefully trying to continue growing a really good football club so I’ve not given it any consideration.
    “Through my years I’ve been linked with lots of jobs at different times but I have to say I’m really happy at the moment and I’m settled where I am.
    “The club have been so good to me and we’re enjoying the journey we’re on.” More

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    Steven Gerrard lined up for return to management in Championship as Leeds are joined in race for Liverpool legend

    STEVEN GERRARD is the new name on the wanted list at relegated Leicester City.The Liverpool and England legend wants to get back into management after leaving Aston Villa and hopes his success at Rangers still makes him attractive.
    Steven Gerrard is wanted by both Leeds and Leicester CityCredit: PA
    The Foxes are looking for a boss to lead them out of the Championship at the first attempt and raise morale after the depressing end to the season.
    Gerrard’s camp are close to Leicester and he will have a strong chance.
    Graham Potter was their first choice when Brendan Rodgers left but he did not want to jump back into work after leaving Chelsea — though he has been sounded out again.
    The former Brighton boss has also been linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Nice, which prospective Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe owns.
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    Gerrard would also come with Foxes legend Gary McAllister on his backroom staff, which would appeal to fans.
    Leicester had considered Russell Martin for the post but relegated Southampton moved for him first and decisively.
    Gerrard has been linked with several jobs, including Leeds, and is even a possible future member of the England backroom staff.
    But the Leicester job may have the most appeal.
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    Leeds are on the hunt for a new boss after Sam Allardyce left after failing to keep them up in his four games in charge.
    His 25-day stint means he now holds the record for shortest time in charge of a Premier League club.
    Allardyce would have received a whopping £3million if he had kept Leeds in the top-flight. More

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    Chelsea ‘seal Mauricio Pochettino’s first transfer after triggering £52million release clause after beating PSG in race’

    CHELSEA will reportedly sign Manuel Ugarte after agreeing to pay his release clause.The Sporting Lisbon midfielder is rated as one of the best young midfielders in Europa after impressing with the Portuguese side.
    Chelsea have reportedly signed Mauricio Pochettino’s first player since becoming managerCredit: Reuters
    The Blues are believed to have paid the release clause for Manuel UgarteCredit: Getty
    The Blues have agreed to pay his £52 million release clause that will see him become Mauricio Pochettino’s first signing as manager, according to Portuguese outlet Record.
    The report claims that the Stamford Bridge side have beaten PSG to the midfielder’s signature.
    It goes as far as to say that the deal “is closed”, with Ugarte opting for a move to the Premier League over France.
    The outlet suggests that after two weeks of “intense” meetings, the chance to play against “top teams like Man City” is a dream for Ugarte.
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    However, it also claims that the deal is not done as details still need to be ironed out before the move is official.
    It would be hoped that Ugarte can provide more protection to the club’s defensive line that failed to impress last season
    The deal would be Chelsea’s first of the summer as they look to strengthen the squad after a disappointing season.
    The Blues finished the last Premier League campaign in the bottom half of the table and failed to go deep in any of the cups they competed for.
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    This was despite a £600m spend on talent by new owner Todd Boehly.
    The summer transfer window looks set to be a busy one for the Blues as they look to back Pochettino in the market.
    As well as incomings it is expected that there will be plenty of outgoings from Stamford Bridge.
    Mason Mount looked set for a move to Manchester United, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek has been linked with AC Milan.
    Trevoh Chalobah, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Édouard Mendy are all on the list that the club could cash in on. More

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    Eden Hazard’s £400k-a-week Real Madrid contract RIPPED UP with ex-Chelsea ace now a free agent after disastrous transfer

    EDEN HAZARD is now without a club after Real Madrid ripped up his £400,00-a-week contract.The Belgian was hoping to see out the final year of his lucrative deal in the Spanish capital.
    Eden Hazard is a free agent after having his Real Madrid deal ripped upCredit: Getty
    But Hazard is now set to depart Real after four injury-laden seasons in search of pastures new.
    A statement confirmed: “Real Madrid C. F. and Eden Hazard have reached an agreement by which the player is disassociated from the club as of June 30, 2023.
    “Eden Hazard has been part of our club for four seasons, in which he has won 8 titles: 1 European Cup, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 2 Leagues, 1 Copa del Rey and 2 Spanish Super Cups.”Real Madrid wants to express its affection for Eden Hazard and wishes him and his entire family the best of luck in this new stage.”
    Hazard, 32, joined Real in 2018 for an initial £86million after winning the Europa League with Chelsea.
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    That figure eventually rose to a staggering £125m after further LaLiga and Champions League success at the Bernabeu.
    But numerous injuries meant Hazard was barely involved in those triumphs.
    He played 76 times in all competitions for Real – just 14 more games than he managed in his first single season at Chelsea.
    Indeed, Hazard featured only six times in the league this term.
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    And some reports suggest he could even retire from the game after a glittering career that peaked at Stamford Bridge.
    Hazard spent seven seasons at Chelsea, becoming a club icon and fan favourite with 110 goals in 352 games.
    He landed two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues and an FA Cup during his time in London.
    But Hazard decided to leave in 2018 for Real as he felt he had a better chance of winning the Champions League with them.
    The Belgian finally got his hands on the trophy in 2022, yet he would have won it a year earlier if he had stayed at Stamford Bridge.
    Before Chelsea, Hazard led Lille to Ligue 1 glory in 2011.
    He also won 126 caps for Belgium before retiring after their group stage exit at the Qatar World Cup.
    And should there be no takers for Hazard this summer, his time in club football could also be coming to an end. More

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    Hugo Lloris drops Tottenham transfer bombshell and says ‘it’s the end of an era’ as he reveals he wants out

    HUGO LLORIS revealed he wants to leave Tottenham in the summer after reaching the “end of an era” in North London.Lloris has one more year left in his deal with Spurs but has been linked with a departure following a turbulent season stricken by errors between the sticks.
    Tottenham star Hugo Lloris has been linked with a move away this summerCredit: AFP
    Lloris has admitted he is keen to leave Tottenham in the upcoming transfer windowCredit: EPA
    The goalkeeper strongly suggested there is truth in the transfer speculation as he admitted he has a “desire for something else”.
    However, the former France captain hasn’t completely made up his mind yet and will hold talks with Tottenham during the summer.
    Lloris told Nice–Matin: “We have reached an important moment, whether it be for the club or me.
    “It’s the end of an era. I have a desire for something else. I will carefully study what is possible.
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    “However, I haven’t forgotten that I have a year left on my contract at Tottenham, and in football, it’s always hard to predict what will happen.
    “The most important thing is I find a project where I thrive.”
    Lloris was recently linked with a return to boyhood club Nice where he rose to prominence before earning a move to Lyon in 2008.
    He recently told BFM Nice Cote d’Azur: “I am very attached to the city of Nice, as you know.
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    “I can’t speak about concrete things. The club has to finish the season first.
    “There are two goalkeepers of high quality, including one that I’m good friends with in Kasper Schmeichel.
    “You can understand that it’s difficult to speak about these kinds of subjects. I’ll let fate handle things.”
    The 36-year-old moved to Tottenham in 2012 and amassed a whopping 151 clean sheets in 447 appearances.
    The Frenchman was named captain by Mauricio Pochettino in 2015 and went on to register the most Premier League appearances in the club’s history. More

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    Man Utd fans convinced they know first summer transfer as top target is spotted at Wembley for FA Cup final

    MANCHESTER UNITED fans are convinced they know who their first summer transfer will be.That’s after top target Jurrien Timber was spotted at the FA Cup final.
    Man Utd fans are convinced Erik ten Hag still wants to sign Jurrien TimberCredit: Getty
    👀 Here’s former Ten Hag player Jurrien Timber at Wembley today in attendance for Man United vs Man City FA Cup final.Ajax rejeacted multiple approaches by Manchester United for Timber deal last summer — current contract expires in 2025.📸 @FAFiltvedt pic.twitter.com/dWueVceaSk— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 3, 2023

    United tried and failed to sign Timber from Ajax last summerCredit: Getty
    The Red Devils lost 2-1 to rivals Man City as Ilkay Gundogan netted two volleys at Wembley.
    But United supporters did have something to smile about when Timber was spotted making his way to the home of English football.
    Fabrizio Romano shared a photo of the Dutch defender walking with a group among fans of both sides.
    Timber, 21, was the subject of multiple bids from United last summer following Erik ten Hag’s move to Old Trafford.
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    The tactician succeed in bringing Lisandro Martinez and Antony with him.
    But Ajax refused to budge on Timber after he refused to push for an exit.
    However, United are still thought to be keen after qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
    And fans reckon Timber’s presence at the FA Cup final was almost as good as confirmation that he’s a top United target.
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    One said: “He is moving to United, sources told me.”
    Another declared: “He wants that United move.”
    One noted: “Any chance United will make a proposal?”
    Another declared: “We need Timber in United.” More