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      Declan Rice reveals reason behind bizarre No41 shirt number at West Ham as Arsenal look to seal summer transfer

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      WEST HAM midfielder Declan Rice plans to stick with the No41 shirt throughout his career.That is despite it being randomly handed to him when he was in the Hammers’ academy.
      Declan Rice has made the No41 shirt his own at West HamCredit: Getty
      The England international, 24, is being heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United in the summer.
      But he is expected to remain the No41 wherever he ends up at the end of the season.
      Last year, in an interview with Gary Neville on The Overlap, he said: “It was just the number I was given in the academy by the kitman.
      “When you are in the Under-23s there are the first team squad numbers and then it gets to the higher numbers and I was given 41 when I went to Seattle on my first trip with the first-team. I was just given 41 and it has stayed with me since.
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      “And to be honest with you – I have been having these conversations with my dad – regardless of what happens in my career I may stay with 41.
      “I just think Rice 41 has a nice ring to it and obviously I have grown up playing in it and I am a bit superstitious with things like that.
      “I don’t know if I change to a new number if it will hamper my performances, I don’t know!
      “Sometimes I think about things like that.”
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      When quizzed on whether the No7 would suit him, he then added: “Seven dog? Nah, not seven dog, no way.
      “Either four or six, I think those are the standard numbers.”
      Rice has been valued at £80m, with Arsenal hoping to fend off interest from Chelsea and Man Utd.
      He hinted during the World Cup that his time at West Ham could be up.
      When asked if he is hungry to win titles at club level, he 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

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      Jan Bednarek faces awkward Southampton reunion as loanee recalled despite labelling Aston Villa ‘a bigger club’

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      JAN BEDNAREK faces an awkward return to Southampton after being recalled by Aston Villa.The 26-year-old defender joined the Saints from Lech Poznan in 2017.
      Jan Bednarek has been recalled by Southampton from his loan spell at Aston VillaCredit: PA
      He went on to make 153 appearances for Southampton before he headed out of St Mary’s during the summer.
      Bednarek was due to spend the whole campaign at Villa Park but only played four times for Villa.
      His last came in the shock FA Cup defeat to Stevenage on January 8.
      Now he has returned to his parent club after new boss Nathan Jones opted to bring him back to provide additional cover for his defence.
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      However, not all Saints supporters will be glad to see Bednarek return.
      He left fans fuming with his first words as a Villa player following his deadline day move.
      Bednarek said: “I’m happy and excited. I’m looking forward to the new adventure.
      “It’s a great opportunity for me and another great step.
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      “That’s a really important one for me, to move to a bigger club and improve as a player.”
      Bednarek could find himself involved in Southampton’s squad for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle tomorrow.
      But he will be cup-tied for the FA Cup clash with Blackpool on Saturday. More

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      Man Utd lose top transfer guru Tom Keane in huge blow after helping Erik ten Hag with summer rebuild

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a colossal blow to their transfer plans after reportedly losing transfer guru Tom Keane.Another massive summer lies ahead for United if they are to consolidate the improvements made under Erik ten Hag this season.
      Tom Keane helped United negotiate a deal for Casemiro last summerCredit: Getty
      But now Keane has returned to law firm Brandsmiths
      However, with the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club’s ownership following the announcement of the Glazers’ intention to sell, some positions behind-the-scenes face being unfilled.
      According to The Athletic, Keane – appointed on a temporary basis as a replacement for Matt Judge last June – turned down the offer of a full-time position in favour of returning to law firm Brandsmiths, where he specialises in sports contracts.
      During his stay at United, Keane helped to negotiate the transfer deals for Casemiro and Antony.
      This included flying to Spain with football director John Murtough to complete Casemiro’s contract talks.
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      But having not worked on any of United’s January deals, Keane’s loss means the club are now missing a vital cog in their transfer negotiation department.
      It is a position the club are hoping to fill by the end of the season.
      The Red Devils have come on leaps and bounds since the start of the season in large part thanks to Ten Hag and the arrival of Casemiro.
      The Brazilian’s suspension for the game against Arsenal proved fatal as United fell to a late 3-2 defeat.
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      But United still lack the necessary quality in a number of areas in order to compete with the league leaders and cross-town rivals Manchester City.
      A top-class striker has been made the priority on Ten Hag’s summer shortlist, with Harry Kane his No1 target.
      However, the Tottenham ace is now reportedly open to signing a new contract at the club in a stunning U-turn.
      In terms of club ownership, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly announced his intention to buy United.
      This being said, Britain’s richest man might need to fork out as much as £9billion to buy United. More

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      West Ham missed out on Youssef En-Nesyri transfer because Moroccan star ‘wants nothing to do with the cold of London’

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      WEST HAM were rejected by Sevilla striker Youssef En-Nesyri as he did not want to live in the London cold, according to reports.The Moroccan has been heavily linked with a transfer this month.
      Youssef En-Nesyri was put off West Ham by London’s cold weatherCredit: Getty
      The Hammers wanted to bring him to the Premier League and were reportedly willing to match Sevilla’s £17.5million asking price.
      But En-Nesryi turned down the move as he was put off by the cold climate in London, report Estadio Deportivo.
      He is used to living in warmer conditions and is interested in moving to Nice.
      The Ligue Un club are keen to do a deal with Sevilla but are believed to be unwilling to match their valuation of the forward.
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      En-Nesryi’s rejection led West Ham to look at alternative targets and they landed Danny Ings from Aston Villa this week.
      The Hammers paid £15m to sign the former Liverpool hitman, who made his debut from the bench in the 2-0 win over Everton.
      Ings will compete for a place in the side along with Michail Antonio and summer signing Gianluca Scamacca.
      David Moyes also wants to improve the defence after selling Craig Dawson to Wolves.
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      The club targeted Harry Maguire but Manchester United reportedly turned down a loan offer.
      Dundee United wonderkid Rory MacLeod has also been linked with a £4million move to the London Stadium. More

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      Arsenal offer to pay Martin Zubimendi’s £52.5m transfer release clause but midfielder wants to stay at Real Sociedad

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      ARSENAL want to pay the £52.5million release clause for Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi but the player look set to decline the transfer, according to reports. The defensive midfielder is supposedly against leaving the LaLiga side while the season is ongoing.
      Martin Zubimendi will reportedly decline a move to ArsenalCredit: Getty
      Zubimendi signed a five-year deal at the club in October 2022.
      The 23-year-old refused to raise his release clause to £79m despite the club’s wishes, fuelling speculation a transfer could happen.
      Zubimendi has come through the ranks at Real Sociedad, only ever playing for them.
      The White and Blues are third in the table, just three points behind first place Barcelona, while the club are still going strong in the Europa League.
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      And Zubimendi has been in impressive form this campaign, playing 22 times and contributing with two assists and a goal.
      His performances have also seen him linked with Barca and Manchester United.
      They are desperate to replace Sergio Busquets with the 34-year-old’s deal set to expire at the end of this season.
      Arsenal are looking to strengthen their midfield options as they look to stay ahead of Manchester City in the race for the title.
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      They are also in for Declan Rice, yet West Ham would not let their captain leave this month and could reportedly demand £100m for him.
      The Gunners have already snapped up Brighton attacker Leandro Trossard for £27m after he had a falling out with manager Robert De Zerbi.
      Arsenal beat their bitter rivals Tottenham in the race to buy the Belgian as they did not bid enough.
      And Mikel Arteta is aiming to do more business this January with centre-back Jakub Kiwior spotted at an Italian airport ahead of a proposed £17.5m switch from Spezia. More

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      Man Utd face transfer battle with Bayern Munich after ‘making approaches’ to sign Monaco defender Axel Disasi

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have made an approach to sign Axel Disasi from Monaco, according to reports.The Red Devils want to further strengthen their backline, with young defender Disasi fitting the bill.
      Axel Disasi has been linked with a Monaco exitCredit: AFP
      The 24-year-old was in action for France at the World Cup in Qatar, picking up a runners-up medal.
      Didier Deschamps opted to field him at right-back for Les Bleus, although Disasi is naturally a centre-half by trade.
      According to Telefoot, the Red Devils have launched an initial approach to sign Disasi from Monaco.
      Having lost Disasi’s centre-back partner Benoit Badiashile to Chelsea for £35million earlier this month, the Ligue 1 side will not want to lose a second defender on the cheap.
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      Monaco will reportedly demand north of £44m for Disasi’s signature.
      And United will face strong competition to complete a deal.
      Bayern Munich are also in the race, having made Disasi a “priority target”.
      The Bundesliga giants could look to partner him with French international team-mate Dayot Upamecano.
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      Man United, meanwhile, have already bolstered their back line since Erik ten Hag’s arrival.
      They shelled out £55m to sign Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.
      While they also spent £13m on Tyrell Malacia.
      Recruiting another defender could cast further doubt over skipper Harry Maguire’s Man United future.
      The Red Devils recently turned down a loan offer from West Ham for the England man.
      Harry Maguire has struggled for game timeCredit: Rex More

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      Relegation-threatened Everton plot transfer for Chelsea ace Hakim Ziyech with boss Lampard under huge pressure

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      RELEGATION-THREATENED Everton are keen on signing Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech, according to reports.The Toffees are sat joint-bottom of the Premier League after 20 games played.
      Everton are keen on Chelsea’s ZiyechCredit: Getty
      Lampard was the man behind Ziyech’s move to ChelseaCredit: Eddie Keogh Telegraph Media Group
      Frank Lampard’s men are on a nine-game streak without a win, with their latest defeat coming on Saturday against relegation rivals West Ham.
      And in a bid to boost Everton’s chances of survival, under pressure boss Lampard is plotting a reunion with Ziyech, the Daily Mail reports.
      Lampard signed Ziyech from Ajax while he was Chelsea boss.
      Ziyech hasn’t hit the heights expected at Stamford Bridge and is playing a bit-part role under Graham Potter this season.
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      The Morocco star, 29, has played 15 times this season across all competitions, registering just one assist.
      Everton would prefer a loan move for the tricky winger.
      However, it is unclear whether Ziyech would trade Champions League knockout football for a relegation scrap.
      Italian club Roma are also in talks with Ziyech about a move to Serie A, as SunSport exclusively revealed.
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      Ziyech played a full 90 minutes on Saturday against Liverpool.
      The draw has Potter’s men sat 10th in the Premier League table after 20 games played. More

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      Arsenal boost in Declan Rice transfer hunt with West Ham star keen to work with Mikel Arteta despite Chelsea link

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      ARSENAL’S chances of signing Declan Rice have been boosted as the player is reportedly keen on the switch.The midfielder could leave West Ham in the summer in search of Champions League football.
      Declan Rice is said to be keen on working with Mikel ArtetaCredit: Getty
      There is no shortage of interest in Rice with Chelsea and Manchester United believed to be long-term suitors.
      But Arsenal may be the frontrunner to land the England star as Rice is keen to work with Mikel Arteta, report The Guardian.
      The Gunners boss has reportedly even started planning for where the West Ham captain would fit into his team.
      West Ham could demand around £100million to let Rice leave.
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      But Arsenal are said to be saving for the summer after missing out on Mykailo Mudryk and signing £27m Leandro Trossard instead.
      Rice is Arsenal’s top transfer target and the league leaders are prepared to spend £80m to lure him across London.
      The 24-year-old is out of contract in 2024 and has rejected three offers of a new deal from the Hammers.
      United were tempted to move for Rice last summer.
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      However, they were put off the East London club’s £150m asking price and opted for Casemiro from Real Madrid.
      But they could try to sign him again next summer amid interest from Chelsea. More