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    Tottenham RIP UP Doherty’s contract as he joins Atletico Madrid on permanent transfer – but there’s a good reason why

    TOTTENHAM mutually agreed to terminate Matt Doherty’s contract to allow him to join Atletico Madrid.Spurs had looked set to send the Irishman on a straight loan to Atletico.
    Matt Doherty is set to join Atletico MadridCredit: Getty
    But due to already having eight players farmed out internationally – the maximum according to Fifa rules – they instead allowed him to leave for nothing.
    A Spurs statement read: “We have mutually agreed to the termination of Matt Doherty’s contract to enable him to join another club.
    “We should like to thank Matt for his service and wish him well for the future.”
    Doherty was in Madrid yesterday looking to tie up his switch to Atletico.

    The Irishman did have 18 months remaining on his Spurs deal.
    And now Doherty is expected to finalise a free transfer to Atletico.
    In doing so he follows in the footsteps of previous Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier, who moved for £30million in 2019.
    Doherty was set to become Spurs’ third-choice wing-back following the imminent arrival of Pedro Porro from Sporting Lisbon.
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    However, he is now set for a career reprieve after Atletico made a surprise loan bid – despite Diego Simeone supposedly not knowing who he is.
    In 2016, and while still playing for Wolves, the right-back revealed he was a huge fan of Simeone’s Atletico side.
    Doherty even posted about his admiration for the club on Twitter.
    And with a transfer to Atletico now taking place, Doherty’s tweet from almost seven years ago has gone viral with fans of the Spanish giants. More

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    Chelsea wonderkid Omari Hutchinson set for West Brom loan transfer to play key role in Premier League promotion push

    CHELSEA wonderkid Omari Hutchinson has agreed to join West Brom on loan, according to reports.The highly-rated youngster joined from Arsenal last summer but he’s struggled for game-time.
    Omari Hutchinson is set to join West Brom on loanCredit: Conor Molloy/News Images
    He did make his senior debut as a substitute against Manchester City earlier this month before featuring against Pep Guardiola’s side in the FA Cup three days later.
    But he’s not been involved since and has is set to drop into the Championship to help West Brom’s promotion push.
    According to Fabrizio Romano, an agreement has been reached for the 19-year-old to spend the rest of the season at the Hawthorns.
    Despite his lack of first-team opportunities, Hutchinson has impressed for Chelsea’s Under-21s.
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    In 14 Premier League 2 appearances, the teenager has scored five goals and chipped in with seven assists.
    But he’s now expected to link up with West Brom, who lost their last league match against Burnley but have been on an incredible run under Carlos Corberan.
    And prior to that defeat, the Midlands club had won nine of their last 10 Champ matches, which has put them firmly in the race for the play-offs.
    They’re currently tenth, but are just one point behind sixth place and only four behind Middlesbrough in third with a game in hand.
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    Should Hutchinson sign before the deadline, he’ll be hoping to make his debut in their Friday night clash with Coventry.
    He’ll become West Brom’s second signing on deadline day after Nathaniel Chalobah arrived from Fulham earlier on Tuesday. More

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    Arsenal star Albert Sambi Lokonga joins Crystal Palace on loan after Gunners seal transfer for Chelsea ace Jorginho

    ARSENAL ace Albert Sambi Lokonga has joined Crystal Palace on loan.The midfielder has struggled for game-time at the Emirates and will spend the second half of the season in South London.
    Albert Sambi Lokonga is set to join Crystal Palace on loanCredit: PA
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    Lokonga arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 2021 in a £17m deal from Anderlecht.
    But he’s behind Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey in the pecking order, which has restricted him to just 14 Prem starts in 18 months.
    And this season his chances have reduced even further with the majority of his minutes coming in the Europa League.
    That’s despite Mohamed Elneny being injured for large parts of the campaign.
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    And he’ll now hope for further chances as he links up with ex-Gunners captain Patrick Vieira.

    Lokonga told Palace’s website:  “I’m really excited – I can’t wait to get started.
    “I’m really happy to join Crystal Palace. I want to go as far as possible with the team.
    “I will try to push for me and the team to do the maximum to reach the top.”
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    Eagles chairman Steve Parish said: “I would like to welcome Sambi to south London, and am pleased he has chosen to join Patrick’s squad for the rest of the season, after making an impressive start to life in English football.
    “He has been on our radar for several years since his emergence at Anderlecht, and we very much look forward to his contribution as we push to climb the table.”
    Mikel Arteta was quick to replace him with the £12million signing of Jorginho from Chelsea.
    Jorginho became Arteta’s third signing of the window following the recent arrivals of Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior.
    And he has the chance to win his first Premier League title with the Gunners five points clear of Man City with a game in hand. More

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    Juventus striker ‘offers himself to Real Madrid’ in last-gasp transfer in blow to Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea hopes

    JUVENTUS star Dusan Vlahovic wants a move to Real Madrid amid interest from Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.Vlahovic has been enduring a rough campaign with Juve, who have been slapped with a 15-point deduction that dropped them to 13th place in the Serie A table.
    Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic has asked his agent to seal a move to Real MadridCredit: Getty
    Vlahovic prefers Real Madrid over Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    The Bianconeri were accused of inflating transfer fees in dealings with other Italian clubs over three seasons to create millions of pounds in “capital gains” for tax purposes.
    According to Defensa Central, the striker wants out and instructed his agent to put together a move to Real, who targeted him last year.

    They say the Serbia international asked his representative to offer himself to Los Blancos on deadline day.
    However the 23-year-old’s camp will push for a summer deal.
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    Vlahovic has been linked with a big Premier League switch as United, Arsenal and Chelsea continue to keep tabs.
    The Red Devils are still looking for a centre-forward to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, following the temporary signing on Wout Weghorst.
    Chelsea also still need someone to spearhead the attack after loaning Romelu Lukaku back to Inter Milan last summer.
    And Arsenal will be without star attacker Gabriel Jesus possibly until March.
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    Vlahovic turned a lot of heads during his four-year stint at Fiorentina as he amassed a total of 49 goals and eight assists in 108 appearances.
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    The Serbian has struggled to set the world alight ever since his move to Juventus last year.
    But the ex-Partizan star has still registered 16 goals and four assists in 37 appearances across all competitions. More

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    Toughest moment of my career’ – Brentford star pens emotional letter after Olympiakos transfer even though it’s a LOAN

    SERGI CANOS penned an emotional farewell letter to Brentford fans – despite only sealing a LOAN move away from the club.The 25-year-old described his switch to Olympiakos for the remainder of the season as the “toughest moment” of his Bees career.
    Sergi Canos is said to be leaving BrentfordCredit: Getty
    Canos has scored 36 goals in 249 games for the Bees but has only made six appearances in all competitions this season.
    He was the squad’s second longest-serving member, behind Rico Henry.
    Canos said: “This is possibly the toughest moment of my career since I arrived at Brentford in 2015. Today is the end of something special.
    “After 249 matches I have to say goodbye to you all. A new chapter in my career is knocking at my door.
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    “A new opportunity to bring back my happiness on the pitch and enjoy football again.
    “To my Bees family, I will always have you next to me.”
    Canos has six months remaining on his deal but Brentford do have the option of triggering a one-year extension.
    And Brentford director of football Phil Giles said there is still the possibility that the Spaniard signs a new deal at the club.
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    He said: “We have the option to extend Sergi’s contract in the summer, so it is very possible that we will see him back with us.”
    Canos was a key part of the Bees side that got promoted from the Championship and he helped to establish them in the Prem with three goals in 31 games last season. More

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    Arsenal set to miss out on teen sensation with star staying in Spain until summer as club ‘reject loan bid’

    ARSENAL have been dealt a blow as they are set to miss out on Ivan Fresneda, according to reports.The Gunners were linked with a January move for the right-back.
    Ivan Fresneda is set to stay at Real ValladolidCredit: Getty
    Borussia Dortmund also showed an interest in the young defender.
    But according to Fabrizio Romano both clubs are set to miss out with Fresneda set to stay at Real Valladolid.
    Fresneda, 18, was also said to be wanted by Arsenal’s top four rivals Newcastle.
    But following a conversation with Mikel Arteta Fresneda had his heart set on a £13million switch to The Emirates.
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    He even missed Valladolid’s 1-0 win over Valencia on Sunday.
    Reports claimed Fresneda was not involved because of ongoing negotiations between Valladolid and the Gunners.
    Spanish big boys Real Madrid were also interested in signing him this month.
    Manager Carlo Ancelotti was said to have been impressed by Fresneda’s displays in LaLiga this season, so much so he wanted to bolster his options on the right side of defence by signing him.
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    Arsenal appear to have missed out on Fresneda, a setback after also seeing their approach for Moises Caicedo rebuffed.
    Instead the Gunners have moved for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho who is set to arrive for £12m. More

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    Chelsea AGREE record £115m transfer deal for Enzo Fernandez as Benfica star ‘undergoes medical in Lisbon’

    CHELSEA have finally agreed a payment schedule with Benfica to sign midfielder Enzo Fernandez.The Blues are set to sign the 22-year-old in time ahead of tonight’s transfer deadline.
    Chelsea have agreed a fee with Benfica to sign Enzo FernandezCredit: EPA
    SunSport reported yesterday that the Blues were planning a final £115millon push for Fernandez after having a number of bids rejected.
    The move is set to be a British record, surpassing the £100m Manchester City paid to sign Jack Grealish in 2021.
    Sky Sports claim, via Portuguese broadcaster SIC, that Fernandez is undergoing a medical in Lisbon before the move is made official.
    Teams in England have until 11pm on Tuesday evening to make any deadline day additions.
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    Fernandez only joined Benfica in July from Argentinian club River Plate.
    He has made 17 appearances for the club, and also starred for Argentina as they won the World Cup in Qatar last month.

    The midfielder has been a target for Chelsea this window, although Benfica president Rui Costa and manager Roger Schmidt have criticised the Blues’ approach for Fernandez.
    He has a £105m release clause in his contract, which expires in 2027.
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    Chelsea have already signed SEVEN players in January, coming to a total spend of around £220m.
    Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana, Mykhailo Mudryk, Andrey Santos, Noni Madueke and Malo Gusto have been recruited, with the latter returning on loan to Lyon until the end of the season.
    More to follow… More

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    Incoming Spurs ace Pedro Porro may face awkward reunion with Chelsea’s Joao Felix after denying love triangle rumours

    PEDRO PORRO is closing in on a move to Tottenham and faces a potentially awkward reunion with Chelsea’s Joao Felix in the Premier League.Sporting Lisbon star Porro seems set to join Spurs on deadline day on a loan deal worth £4.4million with an obligation to buy for £37.3m.
    Tottenham target Pedro Porro is facing an awkward reunion with Chelsea’s Joao FelixCredit: Getty
    Pedro Porro had to deny claims he had an affair with Joao Felix’s girlfriend Magui CorceiroCredit: Instagram / @joaofelix79
    Rumours started when Pedro Porro gave Magui Corceiro his shirt in the standsCredit: Instagram / @magui_corceiro
    That takes place just three weeks after Felix moved to Stamford Bridge following a £10m loan agreement between the Blues and Atletico Madrid.
    The two stars were caught up in baseless rumours of a love triangle in May following shocking accusations claiming the Sporting star was having an affair with the Atletico loanee’s girlfriend.
    Felix’s partner Magui Corceiro and Porro were both forced to deny those false claims.
    It all started when a video went viral showing the full-back ignoring the pleas of several children in the stands at the end of a game to instead give his shirt to his friend Corceiro.
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    Another clip circulated from a nightclub, with some observers believing that the pair could be seen kissing.
    But Corceiro categorically refuted those claims with the following statement: “If I wanted to be kissing someone, in an intimate moment, it would not be in lust, much less in the VIP area with that little balcony and in view of the entire nightclub.
    “I also don’t understand why those gentlemen who took the initiative to record that video and report it in such a nice way didn’t remember to record me talking and hugging the other people who were there, the other guys, the players.
    “Because if we want to talk about Magui Corceiro always with the players and that this is a scene, there was a lot of material.”
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    The Chelsea’s star’s girlfriend added categorically: “There were no kisses, there was nothing.”
    As vicious online rumours continued to swirl, Magui said: “I have just begun to understand the proportions that this is taking.
    “It’s getting out of control and it’s leaving me in a very boring position, and Joao too.
    “On the one hand, I feel ridiculous for giving justifications to people who don’t know me at all, but you guys are not understanding what’s going on.
    “This is being surreal, the messages that they are sending, they are sending death threats… People are crazy.
    Chelsea star Joao Felix’s girlfriend Magui Corceiro insists the rumours are fakeCredit: Instagram / @magui_corceiro
    Pedro Porro also denied all the speculation as he insisted they are friendsCredit: INSTAGRAM
    “I met Porro a few months ago unexpectedly at a group dinner and since then we have had a great time, we are very good friends, I love him, he is incredible and the people who know him know him very well.”
    Tottenham target Porro also denied all those internet rumours with a statement of his own.
    The Spain international wrote: “The situation that is happening yesterday and today is very uncomfortable…
    “I have a special relationship with her, no one is being unfaithful to anyone.
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    “My image is not going to be stained by anything and less by things like these. I can do whatever I want.
    “Stop staining the image of the three of us because it is not like that.”
    Magui Corceiro issued a lengthy statement rubbishing those claimsCredit: INSTAGRAM More