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    Man Utd outcast Harry Maguire ‘is growing to accept’ summer transfer exit as Champions League club plot move

    HARRY MAGUIRE is “growing to accept” he will leave Manchester United this summer – with a Champions League giant already on his trail.But it means boss Erik ten Hag taking a hit of around HALF on the £80million United paid Leicester for the England centre-back four years ago.
    Man Utd defender Harry Maguire has publicly insisted he is focused on results rather than his own situation and will wait for his chancesCredit: Rex
    Old Trafford chief Erik ten Hag could be ready to take a massive loss to move on Maguire after limiting the England defender’s game-timeCredit: AFP
    The Mail claim both club and player are moving towards agreement on a departure in the next transfer window.
    Ten Hag has settled on Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez as his first-choice defensive pairing.
    And he’s even chosen left-back Luke Shaw above Maguire in the middle.
    The Three Lions’ duo were, however, picked together when Ten Hag rested Varane and Martinez for Sunday’s 2-0 Premier League win at Leeds.
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    Maguire is under contract until 2025 and earning about £180,000 a week.
    But West Ham were interested in a January loan move and Italian side Inter Milan are said to be serious admirers.
    The second-placed Serie A club also reportedly inquired about borrowing him last month ahead of a possible bid in the summer.
    Maguire has admitted he “doesn’t want to get used to” his bit-part role.
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    But he has also insisted he expects to get plenty of game time as United’s fixtures pile up.
    After returning to play the whole game at Leeds, he said: “It’s not about me, it’s about the club being successful and I want to be a part of it.
    “I’m the captain and I put the team miles before myself. Whether I’m playing or not, I want the team to do well.
    “I’m still getting my minutes. Everyone wants to start games, and it’s disappointing when you don’t. 
    “You have four international centre-backs at this club and there will always be two who are unhappy. I just have to be ready when the chance comes.”  More

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    How Southampton could line up under Wayne Rooney including some familiar faces from Man Utd

    SOUTHAMPTON are searching for their third new manager of the season following the sacking of Nathan Jones.The 49-year-old Welshman survived just three months in the position before being given the boot by Saints bosses on Sunday.
    Wayne Rooney has been linked with the Southampton vacancyCredit: Getty
    It means the south-coast outfit are looking for another new head coach – 14 games after Jones’ predecessor Ralph Hasenhuttl was axed.
    A number of candidates have been mooted as possible options including Jesse Marsch, Steven Gerrard, or even Hasenhuttl once more.
    But a shock name that has been thrown into the hat is DC United boss and record England scorer Wayne Rooney.
    The Man Utd legend, 37, is reportedly “interested” in the vacancy… and his arrival could spell a host of changes in the Southampton team.
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    How Southampton could line up under Rooney
    Christian Benteke is playing under Rooney at DC UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Nathan Tella is on loan at Burnley from SouthamptonCredit: Getty
    Rooney could bring a couple of his trusted lieutenants back to England with him.
    Among them is former Man Utd talent Ravel Morrison – who has played under Rooney at both Derby and DC United.
    Ex-Liverpool, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke is also plying his trade at DC United but could be open to a European return.
    Rooney could also call on his Man Utd connections to bring in other reinforcements.
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    And one man who is seeking first-team football is full-back Brandon Williams – who has played just 95 minutes of football this season.
    The Red Devils were prepared to send him on loan to Norwich in the 2021/22 campaign and may be willing to do the same again in the coming months.
    Saints loanee Nathan Tella, who has scored 14 goals for Burnley this season, could also return to the fray.
    But all of these possible signings and loan players will be looking at the result of Southampton’s relegation fight.
    They sit bottom of the table with just four wins from 22 games, a run which has left them four points adrift of safety.
    Ravel Morrison played against Rooney and then under him at DerbyCredit: Getty
    Brandon Williams has struggled for game time at Old TraffordCredit: Getty More

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    Southampton ‘want boss of Premier League relegation rivals’ to replace sacked Nathan Jones

    SOUTHAMPTON are reportedly hoping to snatch a manager of one of their Premier League rivals to replace Nathan Jones.Jones, 49, was dismissed by the Saints on Sunday morning after just 14 games in charge.
    Nathan Jones was sacked by Southampton on SundayCredit: Getty
    SunSport revealed last week that the former Luton manager had lost the faith of many members of his squad.
    This came shortly after he infuriated his players by saying they were part of the reason he did not change his preferred playing style.
    With Southampton currently rock bottom of the Premier League, club chiefs are eager to introduce a new manager as soon as possible.
    We reported yesterday how one report claimed that Jesse Marsch, who was axed by relegation rivals Leeds United last week, was on the shortlist.
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    However, now the Daily Mail claims Southampton have a “strong interest” in Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper.
    The 43-year-old led England Under-17s to World Cup glory back in 2017.
    He then took charge of Swansea in 2019 and led them to two consecutive Championship play-off finishes.
    Cooper left the Welsh side after two years but returned to the dug-out to take charge of Forest, who were bottom of the Championship when he arrived, in September 2021.
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    But he masterminded a remarkable revival that led to them winning promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
    And despite a sticky start to life in the top-flight after a remarkable summer signing spree, he has now steadied the ship with the club sitting 14th and six points above the drop zone.
    The Welshman penned a new long-term deal at the City Ground earlier this season that runs until 2025.
    However, according to this fresh update, that has not deterred the Saints.
    The Saints want Nottingham Forest head coach Steve CooperCredit: Getty More

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    Tottenham fail in bid to get Ben Foster out of retirement as Prem refuse to give special permission after Lloris injury

    TOTTENHAM’S plans to bring Ben Foster out of retirement and back to the Premier League have been scuppered.Spurs are on the lookout for a goalkeeper following Hugo Lloris’ injury.
    Tottenham’s hopes of signing Ben Foster have been scupperedCredit: Getty
    The Tottenham No1 is expected to be out for around two months after suffering knee ligament damage.
    Spurs can only sign free agents to replace the Frenchman after the transfer window closed last week.
    And one target they had in mind was former Manchester United keeper Foster.
    Foster, 39, retired and is a free agent after leaving Watford last summer.
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    However, Spurs would have needed special dispensation from the Premier League to sign him up.
    But the Daily Mail have claimed that will be denied by Prem chiefs under current rules.
    Former England international Foster turned his hand to Youtube in 2020 and regularly vlogged his experiences playing for Watford.
    He is known as the “cycling goalkeeper” on the platform and has 1.2million subscribers.
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    Foster has filmed behind-the-scenes footage on matchday and even filmed a charity match by attaching a camera to his gloves.
    Meanwhile, Spurs boss Antonio Conte has been left with just one senior goalie – Fraser Forster – to select in his captain’s absence.
    The 34-year-old former Southampton and Celtic ace made just his second top-flight start for the club since his arrival last summer at Leicester on Saturday but was unable to stop his side suffering a 4-1 thrashing.
    Rookie Brandon Austin, 24, was on the bench at the King Power Stadium but he is yet to make a senior appearance for the club. More

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    Man Utd, Liverpool & Newcastle ‘in straight fight for Ruben Neves transfer as Barcelona pull out of race for Wolves ace’

    MANCHESTER UNITED, Liverpool and Newcastle are reportedly “in a straight fight” to sign Ruben Neves this summer.Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Portuguese midfielder, 25, has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona over recent months.
    Barcelona have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Ruben NevesCredit: Reuters
    However, a fresh report has now claimed that the LaLiga giants have pulled out of the transfer race.
    And now that has left the Premier League trio of United, Liverpool and Newcastle battling it out for his signature.
    Spanish publication Sport reports that Neves’ agent Jorge Mendes met with Barcelona officials last week.
    But he was allegedly informed during the talks that Xavi’s side are prioritising strengthening in other positions.
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    They want to secure the future of veteran Sergio Busquets, who is out of contract, also.
    And even if they fail to do that, the publication claims that Xavi “prefers the profile of another type of midfielder” rather than Neves.
    The ace arrived at Molineux from Porto back in 2017 and has helped the club to consolidate in the Premier League after winning the Championship in his first season there.
    He now has less than 18 months remaining on his contract, and rather than risk losing him for nothing in 2024, Wolves look set to sell this summer.
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    United boss Erik ten Hag has long-been rumoured to be an admirer of the player, as is Kop manager Jurgen Klopp.
    But high-flying Newcastle are the latest team to join the scramble to sign Neves. More

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    Chelsea transfer blow with ‘Real Madrid keeping tabs on Joao Felix in shock raid of rivals Atletico in summer’

    CHELSEA face missing out on Joao Felix with Real Madrid keeping tabs on the forward, according to reports. After serving a three-game suspension, Felix was back on the pitch for the Blues and had an instant impact.
    Real Madrid are now watching Joao FelixCredit: Getty
    Felix put in a strong performance against West Ham
    The 23-year-old netted a cool opener against West Ham as he volleyed home Enzo Fernandez’s cross.
    Felix impressed throughout the game despite the team ultimately failing to come away with three points.
    And if his good performances are kept up for the rest of the season, Chelsea may pull the trigger to turn his loan move into a permanent one.
    However, the Londoners have now been joined in the race to sign the £124million-rated forward by Real Madrid, according to Fichajes.
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    Los Blancos are fresh off the back of victory at the Club World Cup, beating Al-Hilal 5-3 in a thrilling final.
    But now they are lining up a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema, and have earmarked Felix as one such star.
    Indeed, club president Florentino Perez is said to hold Felix in high esteem and is one of his favoured choices.
    Felix’s future at parent club Atletico Madrid hinges on the fate of Diego Simeone.
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    The under-fire Argentine had a strained relationship with Felix ahead of his loan transfer.
    Following the 1-1 draw at West Ham, Felix issued a rallying cry for his team-mates, saying the club MUST win the Champions League.
    Ahead of the midweek clash against Borussia Dortmund, Felix told Chelsea club media: “We have to focus on the next game. The most important game is next, always.
    “It’s the Champions League, that’s the competition we want to win so it starts on Wednesday and it needs to be ours.” More

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    Rio Ferdinand was forced to close bar on police advice after making controversial Man Utd transfer from Leeds

    RIO FERDINAND has revealed he was forced to close a bar he owned after leaving Leeds for Manchester United.The former England international, 44, joined the Red Devils from rivals Leeds for £30million in 2002.
    Rio Ferdinand moved from Leeds to Man Utd for a British record fee in 2002Credit: Getty
    Ferdinand went on to win five Premier League titles with Man UtdCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    The transfer led to Ferdinand receiving a great deal of abuse from fans of the Yorkshire outfit.
    And one night he was forced to shut down his establishment after the police contacted him about Leeds supporters heading to his bar to cause trouble.
    Speaking to William Hill, he said: “I had a bar that was only just opened in Leeds and when I signed for Man Utd, the head of the police rang me.
    “I don’t know how he got my number, but he rang me and said ‘just to let you know, I’d advise you don’t open your bar. If you open your bar there will be people coming down to mash it up, we’ve got intel that they’re looking to destroy your place.’
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    “So that place got put to sleep straight away, never opened again, dormant, gone. And then I started understanding the rivalry. 
    “When we went back to Leeds with Man Utd for the first time, we actually got beat 1-0, I think.
    “I had to have a police escort to get into the ground because where the bus used to park to get into the ground you have to walk a little bit and, yeah it was madness, crazy.”
    Ferdinand went on to win six Premier League titles with Man Utd, as well as the Champions League in 2008.
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    Meanwhile, Man Utd drew 2-2 with Leeds on Sunday as Erik ten Hag’s men fought back from two goals down to claim a point at Old Trafford.
    Now, just four days later, the two sides are set to meet again – this time at Elland Road.
    Managerless Leeds are seeking a first Premier League win since November following the sacking of Jesse Marsch.
    But a victory for Man Utd would see them leapfrog rivals Manchester City ahead of the champions’ home game against Aston Villa on Sunday evening. More

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    Arsenal ‘open transfer talks’ with teenage Brazil striker Vitor Roque in bid to beat Chelsea, Barcelona and PSG

    ARSENAL have reportedly “opened talks” with Athletico Paranaense over a deal for Brazilian teenager Vitor Roque.The young striker, 17, is currently representing his country at U20 level at the South American age group championships.
    Vitor Roque has scored six goals at the South American U20 ChampionshipsCredit: AFP
    And he has been one of the star players to come out of the tournament, scoring six goals on the road to the final – which takes place between Brazil and Uruguay on Sunday night.
    Roque turns 18 later this month, meaning he will be eligible to move to Europe in the summer transfer window.
    And he has been linked with a host of huge clubs including Barcelona, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle.
    According to Goal, Barcelona are leading the way in the race to secure his signature.
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    They believe he is a suitable replacement for Memphis Depay.
    But the same report states that Arsenal’s sporting director Edu has approached the player’s agent about a potential deal.
    However, the Gunners will be forced to pay a substantial fee if they are to bring the talented forward to the Emirates.
    Athletico Paranaense are said to be holding out for his release clause of £53million.
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    Known as “Tigrinho” in Brazil, Roque has already been likened to legendary striker Ronaldo and Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez.
    He has made 36 appearances for Paranaense, contributing seven goals and three assists.
    On top of his club form, he has bagged six goals in nine appearances for Brazil’s U20s. More