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      Andre Ayew ‘travelling to UK for Everton talks after receiving £2.5m golden handshake – but transfer is 50/50’

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      ANDRE AYEW is reportedly set to fly to the UK within the next 24 hours ahead of a potential move to Everton.The former Swansea and West Ham forward, 33, was under contract at Qatari club Al Sadd after agreeing a two-year deal in July 2021.
      Andre Ayew could be set for a return to the Premier LeagueCredit: EPA
      And he was five games away from triggering a 12-month extension, but the two parties have now reached a compromise to pay him the remainder of his existing contract.
      That means Ayew will pocket £2.5m in a “golden handshake” agreement and be free to explore a potential return to European football.
      Now a free agent, The Mail are reporting that he will land in the UK within the next day.
      Everton are keen to tie him down on a deal until the end of the season.
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      It comes after a nightmare transfer window saw the Toffees miss out on a host of forward options.
      They included Arnaut Danjuma, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ismaila Sarr, Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta.
      They also missed out on Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher after having a £45million offer rejected.
      Everton chiefs are understood to have held preliminary conversations with Ayew over a possible deal as they look to back new manager Sean Dyche.
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      But the Merseyside club are not the only British side being linked with the forward.
      Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper coached Ayew for two years at Swansea and could yet attempt to swoop in and take him to the City Ground.
      Ayew, whose brother Jordan plays for Crystal Palace, scored nine goals in 55 Premier League games during his stints at West Ham and Swansea.

      He has also racked up 113 caps for Ghana, scoring 24 goals including one at the Qatar World Cup.
      A deal with Everton is said to be 50/50 at this moment in time as the Toffees try to bolster their squad ahead of a relegation battle.
      They sit 19th in the league table after just three wins from 20 games.
      Dyche’s first match in charge comes at home to high-flying Arsenal on Sunday. More

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      Three formations Man Utd could use to get best out of Marcel Sabitzer after loan transfer and Eriksen injury

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      MANCHESTER UNITED secured the loan signing of Marcel Sabitzer on transfer deadline day.And Erik ten Hag now has a versatile star to call upon for a host of tactical plans.
      Man Utd could potentially line up with new loan signing Marcel Sabitzer in three waysCredit: Getty
      Versatile Sabitzer is most likely to line up in a midfield two with Casemiro
      Sabitzer, 28, was poached from Bayern Munich following the news that Christian Eriksen had been ruled out injured until May.
      Despite reports of interest from Chelsea, United moved quickly to strike terms with the player and his club.
      And despite cutting it close to the deadline, the Red Devils managed to get a deal done for Sabitzer on time.
      A box-to-box midfielder by trade, Sabitzer is most likely set to slot in as Eriksen’s direct replacement alongside Casemiro.
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      That would allow United to keep their most tried-and-trusted shape under Ten Hag.
      But Sabitzer started life as a right winger at RB Leipzig.
      And he could be an option ahead of Antony and Jadon Sancho on the flank if Ten Hag wants more midfield control with Fred or Scott McTominay.
      Sabitzer is equally capable of playing as an attacking No10 behind the striker.
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      Sabitzer could be an option for United on the right wing
      Another option is to play Sabitzer as a No10, allowing Bruno Fernandes to go wide
      That position tends to be occupied by Bruno Fernandes.
      But the Portuguese maestro has also shown he can dictate play from out wide.
      And that could allow a tactical shuffle for Marcus Rashford to go up top, with Tyrell Malacia overlapping Fernandes as a wing-back.

      It now remains to be seen when Sabitzer makes his debut, with a starting spot in tonight’s Carabao Cup semi against Nottingham Forest unlikely.
      But Saturday’s home match against Crystal Palace could provide the perfect opportunity, with United then hosting rivals Leeds next week. More

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      Chelsea to continue transfer splurge with huge push for Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo in summer but face Arsenal fight

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      CHELSEA are reportedly set to continue their transfer splurge in the summer with huge pushes for Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo but face a fight with rivals Arsenal.New Blues owner Todd Boehly has splashed over £600million since the takeover in May 2022.
      Declan Rice remains a top target for ChelseaCredit: Rex
      The Blues could reignite their interest in Brighton’s Moises CaicedoCredit: PA
      Over £300m of that was spent in the January transfer window just gone with Chelsea setting a club, and British, record deal in signing World Cup-winning Argentine, Enzo Fernandez.
      The 22-year-old midfielder joined on deadline day for £107million, surpassing the record set by Manchester City for the purchase of Jack Grealish for £100m.
      Chelsea will be hoping their transfer splurge will fire them back into Champions League contention, with the West London club sat 10th in the Premier League.
      But regardless of their league finish this term, the spending is set to continue in the summer of 2023.
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      According to Football London, Chelsea would like to sign Brighton midfielder Caicedo and West Ham captain Rice.
      Caicedo has impressed since his low-cost move from Ecuador last season, while Rice has been on Chelsea’s radar for a number of seasons.
      Rice is, of course, an ex-Chelsea academy player, but was released at 14.
      But Chelsea will face a fight for both players with London rivals Arsenal also keen on the midfielders.
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      And Mikel Arteta’s Gunners could have significant pulling power over Chelsea if they hold their nerve and win the Premier League.
      It is also likely that Champions League football will return to the Emirates, whereas Chelsea will need to fight the likes of Newcastle, Manchester United and Tottenham for a spot in Europe’s elite club competition.
      Both players won’t come cheap, with Brighton turning down bids north of £60m from Arsenal last month for 21-year-old Caicedo despite a public plea to be allowed to leave.
      Hammers captain Rice is also unlikely to be snapped up for cheaper than £70m. More

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      Premier League January transfer spending revealed as Chelsea splash out as much as all 20 clubs did last year

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      PREM January spending almost DOUBLED the previous record as the top flight splashed the cash like never before.Chelsea’s stunning £326million splurge represented more than a third of the total £815m paid across the Prem.
      Mykhailo Mudryk joined Chelsea in a huge £88million transfer from Shakhtar DonetskCredit: EPA
      Liverpool signed Cody Gakpo for £37million under the noses of Man UtdCredit: Alamy
      Chelsea’s Jorginho went to Arsenal for £12mCredit: Getty
      In fact, the Blues spent as much this month as the entire Premier League did in January 2022.
      And it was MORE than ALL the clubs in the other four biggest European leagues – Spain, Germany, Italy and France – put TOGETHER.
      Football finance experts Deloitte’s analysis of the record-busting window finds that January’s outlay took the total value of deals across the Prem’s 20 clubs this season to a staggering £2.78BILLION.
      That was a fraction under 50 per cent above the previous record, the £1.86bn spent in 2017-2018 and almost double the amount laid out last term.
      Read More on Chelsea
      But the winter window spending – with the Big Six of Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs and the two Manchester giants contributing 54 per cent of the total – was truly unprecedented and further demonstrated the Prem is in a league of its own financially.
      The previous record January spend was the £430m laid out in 2018 but this time Prem clubs spent £275m on deadline day alone.
      Last month’s net spending – including sales – was £720m, a remarkable 400 per cent increase on the previous high mark, set 12 months ago.
      In a worrying trend, 85 per cent of the cash flooded out of English football to other countries, with just £25m spent on landing players from the EFL.
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      The Premier League spent more than all the other top five leagues in January
      Yet that cash influx did not bolster the European market, with the other major leagues still appearing to be in Covid-related financial decline.
      Deloitte found that the other four major leagues spent a total of £225m, with a net surplus of £106m.
      Italian Serie A clubs spent just £25m, the same as LaLiga’s total spend, with Bundesliga clubs paying £60m and Ligue 1 in France £110m.
      Deloitte’s Tim Bridge said: “The record spending by Premier League clubs this season is beyond anything that we’ve seen before.
      “It is a clear indication of talent acquisition being core to Premier League clubs’ business strategies.
      “In securing the best available talent, clubs hope to improve results on the field, which in turn will enhance the appeal of the Premier League and further cement its position at the very top of world football.
      “Premier League clubs have held on to their key players, while attracting top-talent from overseas.
      “However, while there is a clear need to invest in squad size and quality to retain a competitive edge, there will always be a fine balance to strike between prioritising success on-pitch and maintaining financial sustainability.”
      Chelsea’s remarkable spending makes qualification for the Champions League and its £60m-plus income stream a must for the books to be balanced, especially as the costs of the deals will be carried across much of the next eight years.
      But the latest sign that Prem clubs are not interested in harvesting the lower leagues will increase the worries of EFL chiefs over their long-term financial viability.
      Read More on The Sun
      Bridge added: “The decline in spending across the English football system is likely to be of growing concern for members of the English Football League and could further fuel the debate around distributing finances more evenly across the pyramid.
      “Transfer income from Premier League clubs, which has historically been an important source of club funding, now appears to be less guaranteed, with Premier League clubs choosing to prioritise talent from abroad.” More

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      How Chelsea could rake in £264m by offloading deadwood with EIGHT players’ futures up in air after transfer spree

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      CHELSEA have spent more than £500MILLION on players since new owner Todd Boehly’s arrival just eight months ago.The Blues broke the British transfer fee record on deadline day by signing Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez for a staggering £107m.
      Hakim Ziyech, left, and Raheem Sterling, right could both leave Chelsea this summerCredit: Reuters
      Christian Pulisic is another Blues forward that may depart Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
      The World Cup winner, 22, took Chelsea’s January spree to £326m as he joined Mykhailo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashile, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto, Andrey Santos, David Datro Fofana and Joao Felix in the list of new arrivals this month.
      In return for the HALF A BILLION POUNDS spent since Boehly walked through the door, the Premier League giants have recouped less than £60m in sales.
      And the shear number of players brought in also means manager Graham Potter will only be able to register three of the signings for their Champions League last-16 clash with Borussia Dortmund.
      The size of Chelsea’s squad means a mass exodus is expected to take place at the end of the season.
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      The eight players Chelsea could sell in the summer
      And there are a number of players whose futures are up in the air heading into the summer.
      SunSport have worked out that the Blues could raise as much as £264m by getting rid of eight stars who may be surplus to requirements in the coming months.
      Among them is England international Raheem Sterling.
      The former Man City man, 28, arrived for £50m in the summer but has registered just nine goal contributions in 22 games.
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      And with his contract running until 2027, the Blues could negotiate a substantial fee for him, turning a profit in the process.
      German forward Kai Havertz is another who could leave this summer.
      Potter has utilised him as the focal point of the team’s attack this season.
      But Havertz, 23, has only managed to return six goals in 27 appearances and fans are growing increasingly frustrated.

      Other attacking players set to be on their way out include Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 33, Christian Pulisic, 24, and Hakim Ziyech, 29, with the latter trying to force through a loan move to PSG in search of more minutes.
      Armando Broja is another Chelsea forward lacking game time, with just three starts all season.
      Meanwhile, the departure of Jorginho to Arsenal meant Chelsea turned down Everton’s £45m bid for Conor Gallagher, 22, as they require the extra cover.
      But they may still opt to offload him in the summer when they have time to find a replacement.
      And Ruben Loftus-Cheek could join Gallagher in leaving Stamford Bridge, with the 27-year-old having not started a game since early November. More

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      Most expensive Premier League transfers EVER: How Enzo Fernandez shattered top 10 ahead of Grealish, Pogba and Antony

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      ENZO FERNANDEZ has become the most expensive transfer in Premier League history.Chelsea splashed a record £107million fee on the Benfica and Argentina star yesterday.
      Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea is the most expensive Premier League signing ever
      And it means Jack Grealish drops down to second after his £100m Man City move 18 months ago.
      But there have been plenty of other mega-money purchases in the division.
      So who else is in the top 10 most expensive Premier League signings ever?
      SunSport takes a closer look at the top flight’s money men…
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      Chelsea pushed through a record deal for Fernandez late on deadline dayCredit: PA
      1. ENZO FERNANDEZ
      BENFICA TO CHELSEA: £107m, 2023
      World Cup winner secured his stunning move to Stamford Bridge just six months after joining Benfica from River Plate for £10m.
      Has big boots to fill after the sale of vice-captain Jorginho to Arsenal but is already a hit with fans without kicking a ball.
      Fernandez can play deep in a midfield pivot or in a more advanced role with a three, and he could be in line to make his Blues debut when they face Fulham on Friday.
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      Jack Grealish is improving with each game for Man CityCredit: Getty
      2. JACK GREALISH
      ASTON VILLA TO MAN CITY: £100m, 2021
      Pep Guardiola left punters stunned when he forked over a record fee for the mercurial talent.
      Grealish is yet to live up to the huge fee City paid for him.
      But he has shown a steady improvement with Erling Haaland now latching on to his passes.
      Romelu Lukaku had a disastrous time at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      3. ROMELU LUKAKU
      INTER MILAN TO CHELSEA: £97.5m, 2021
      Possibly the worst signing in Premier League history considering the price tag.
      Lukaku fell out of favour just several months into Stamford Bridge return and is now spending most of his time with physios after securing a loan back to Inter.
      Remains to be seen whether he gets another chance with Chelsea under Graham Potter.
      Paul Pogba never lived up to his potential with Man UtdCredit: AP
      4. PAUL POGBA
      JUVENTUS TO MAN UTD: £89m, 2016
      The first big-money signing to break the mould in England, made even more apparent by his initial free move to Juve from Old Trafford in 2012.
      Showed glimpses of quality but ultimately didn’t do enough to justify fee, and is now back at Juventus after making yet another free transfer.
      Don’t bet against seeing Pogba back at United in the future!
      Mykhailo Mudryk already looks to be an exciting Chelsea signingCredit: EPA
      5. MYKHAILO MUDRYK
      SHAKHTAR DONETSK TO CHELSEA: £88m, 2023
      One sub appearance is all it has taken to make Mudryk the most talked-about man in the league.
      Has electric pace and can clearly become something special if he works hard under Graham Potter.
      Possibly the new Eden Hazard?
      Antony has had no problems with the league’s physicalityCredit: Getty
      6. ANTONY
      AJAX TO MAN UTD: £85.5m, 2022
      Initially looked to be a clever deal after starring under Erik ten Hag in the Dutch capital.
      But while Brazilian ace has shown he’s up for the physical fight, he is yet to set Old Trafford alight with any Samba skills.
      Is set to remain in the first team though, with fellow expensive winger Jadon Sancho missing.
      Harry Maguire could be on his way out of United this summerCredit: Getty
      7. HARRY MAGUIRE
      LEICESTER TO MAN UTD: £85m, 2019
      Has gone from hero to zero during time at United, with lack of pace and poor decision making exposed after good start.
      Now nowhere near Ten Hag’s team and could find himself cut loose this summer.
      Sure to remain a key figure in Gareth Southgate’s England side though…
      Lukaku struggled for form during his Old Trafford spellCredit: PA:Press Association
      8. ROMELU LUKAKU
      EVERTON TO MAN UTD: £75m, 2017
      Should have worked like a charm under Jose Mourinho but instead garnered reputation as slow and cumbersome striker.
      His exit to Inter was a wise one as he rediscovered his best form abroad, but the rest is history after Chelsea brought Belgian back to England.
      Can’t rule out a return to Everton in the future though…
      Virgil van Dijk has won the lot with LiverpoolCredit: Getty
      9. VIRGIL VAN DIJK
      SOUTHAMPTON TO LIVERPOOL: £75m, 2018
      One of the few expensive success stories after leading Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League glory.
      Best days are behind him after injuries but continues to be a big player for Jurgen Klopp’s struggling side when fit.
      Might fit better in back three as his legs slow down.
      Jadon Sancho is struggling for form at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
      10. JADON SANCHO
      BORUSSIA DORTMUND TO MAN UTD: £73m, 2021
      Looked to be a great signing after becoming one of the German league’s top players.
      Read More on The Sun
      But has been a shadow of his former self in England and hasn’t featured for United in several months after personal problems.
      Fans will be hoping he’s young enough to find his best form again. More

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      Chelsea officially announce Enzo Fernandez after record £107m transfer for Argentina World Cup winner

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      CHELSEA have announced the signing of Enzo Fernandez.The 22-year-old World Cup winner has joined Todd Boehly’s Blues revolution for an eye-watering £107million.
      Chelsea splashed £107million on World Cup winner Enzo FernandezCredit: PA

      Fernandez had a medical in Lisbon on Tuesday after talks stalled over the payment structure and a suggestion the Argentine player remained on loan with Benfica until the end of the season.
      He has signed an EIGHT-AND-A-HALF year contract, which will run until June 2031.
      The deal eclipses the £100m Manchester City spent on Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish in 2021.
      And it takes Chelsea’s outlay over the last two windows to a colossal £602m when add-ons and loan fees are included.
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      The Benfica midfielder became the EIGHTH signing in a month for cash-crazy Chelsea.
      It is not known what shirt number Fernandez will don for the Stamford Bridge club.

      Graham Potter’s men face Fulham and West Ham before kicking off their Champions League knockout campaign against Borussia Dortmund later this month.
      Fernandez’s transfer has been sealed following the departure of Champions League-winning midfielder Jorginho.
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      The 31-year-old joined London rivals Arsenal for £12m.
      Jorginho will try and help Arsenal win the Premier League, which they currently hold a five-point advantage at the top over defending champions Manchester City.
      Enzo Fernandez’s World Cup-winning stats More

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      Arsenal set to go back in for Moises Caicedo AND Declan Rice in summer transfer window as Arteta eyes midfield rebuild

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      ARSENAL will try to sign Moises Caicedo AND Declan Rice in the summer transfer window, according to reports.The Gunners brought in Italian midfielder Jorginho, 31, for £12million from Chelsea on deadline day.
      Declan Rice looks set to leave West Ham at the end of the seasonCredit: Getty
      Moises Caicedo missed out on a move to Arsenal in the January windowCredit: Reuters
      His arrival came after Arsenal had become frustrated in their pursuit of Brighton man Caicedo, with bids of £60m and £70m turned down by the Seagulls.
      Roberto De Zerbi’s men were not willing to sell the Ecuadorian, 21, for any price.
      However, it has now been revealed that Jorginho was not an alternative to Caicedo.
      Speaking on Sky Sports, reporter Dharmesh Sheth said: “This [the Jorginho transfer] wasn’t an alternative to Moises Caicedo because Arsenal were ready – at any time – to do a deal for Moises Caicedo on deadline day if in the unlikely circumstance that Brighton decided to change their stance because he has been not for sale throughout this transfer window.”
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      He then went on to add: “He [Caicedo] was not going to go for any price.
      “Some Arsenal fans are saying ‘They went to £60m, they went to £70m, why didn’t they go higher to test Brighton’s resolve?’
      “I’m told whatever Arsenal, or for that matter Chelsea, had bid, Brighton were not going to sell Moises Caicedo in this transfer window.”
      Arsenal will now attempt to continue their Premier League title charge with Jorginho propping up the regular midfield duo of Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
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      But come the summer, they will almost certainly return to the market to strengthen in the middle of the park.
      And Sheth has confirmed both Caicedo and West Ham captain Rice are the names on their shortlist.
      He said: “This will then fast-forward into the summer. If he [Caicedo] doesn’t sign a new contract, we’re going to have another saga again.
      “Caicedo, Rice, Arsenal are in for both of those we think in the summer.”

      Hammers skipper Rice has been valued at £80m and received interest from Chelsea and Man Utd as well as the Gunners.
      During the World Cup, he hinted at a potential departure from West Ham.
      When asked if he is hungry to win trophies at club level, Rice said: “Yeah, 100 per cent. For the last two or three years I’ve been saying that.
      “I’ve been consistently playing well for my club. I want to win trophies for my club.
      “You only get one career and you want to look back at what you’ve won and play in the biggest games. I am really ambitious and I want that.” More