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    Arsenal fans convinced Moises Caicedo is signing as Brighton star sends clear title message after transfer request

    ARSENAL fans believe Moises Caicedo will join them in the summer after the Brighton midfielder opened up about his failed January move and revealed he is backing the Gunners for the title.The Ecuadorian, 22, was heavily linked with a transfer to the Emirates as Mikel Arteta eyed mid-season reinforcements.
    Moises Caicedo has revealed a move to Arsenal was on the cardsCredit: Alamy
    But the Gunners saw offers of £60million and £70m rejected by the Seagulls as the South Coast side kept hold of their man – who joined for £4.5m in February 2021.
    Caicedo then took to Instagram and pleaded with Brighton to let him go.
    But he only succeeded in being dropped from Roberto De Zerbi’s side as the window closed without a deal being agreed.
    Now the former Independiente man has opened up about the saga and the criticism he received – while leaving the door open to a move in the future.
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    Speaking to The Telegraph, Caicedo said: “I was really close to going [to Arsenal]. I suffered a lot.
    “I’m sure I’m going to have many more opportunities. That’s why I continue to do things well. [But] it was tough.
    “At the beginning when I didn’t end up going, lots of people would make fun of me on Instagram.
    “People treated me badly. I didn’t check my social media because it would hurt me to see things.”
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    Caicedo, who insists he “hopes” Arsenal win the title this season, also spoke about what he saw in the club that attracted him.
    He added: “I’d seen a lot of Arsenal before knowing that there was a possibility of me signing for them.
    “I watched them and I liked them because they have very young, talented players and some stars but they always have that mindset of wanting more.”
    The comments have led Arsenal supporters to come to the conclusion that the South American is still keen to come to the Emirates.
    Reacting on social media, one person said: “He’s one of us ❤️ get him to [the] Emirates next season.”
    Another added: “Bring him home now!!”
    A third replied: “Love him already, he is a gooner through and through.”
    And a fourth responded: “This guy is desperate to play for the badge 💯. It’s over to Arsenal to get the job done.”
    Since the transfer speculation ended, Caicedo has penned a new Brighton contract until 2027.
    But he is still being linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer.
    Read More on The Sun
    His form in the second half of the season has remained impressive as Brighton push for a European spot.
    De Zerbi’s men sit seventh in the Premier League table, four points adrift of fifth-place Tottenham with two games in hand. More

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    Arsenal and Man Utd in Ruben Neves transfer boost as Wolves ‘prepare for future without him’

    ARSENAL and Manchester United target Ruben Neves is set to leave Wolves this summer, according to reports.The midfielder is approaching the final year of his contract.
    Wolves are planning for a future without Ruben NevesCredit: Rex
    He has been tipped to make a move for the last two years with Barcelona also said to be keen on the Portugal international.
    And now Wolves appear ready to let Neves leave, though will demand £40million for his services, report The Telegraph.
    United and Arsenal are set to be put on high alert by Neves’ situation.
    Barcelona and Real Madrid are both believed to be monitoring Neves with interest.
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    And Wolves would rather sell their talisman to a club abroad, rather than a Premier League rival.
    But it is believed they will not stand in his way as the club have planned for a future without him.
    Wolves have a new midfield talisman in Matheus Nunes, who has impressed since his £42million transfer last summer.
    He has attracted interest from Chelsea and Liverpool but is key to Wolves’ future plans, as is January arrival Mario Lemina.
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    The pair both shined in the absence of Neves in Wolves’ recent wins over Chelsea and Brentford – offering a glimpse into how manager Julen Lopetegui will cope without the Portugal ace.
    Wolves have also planned for the long-term future with the signings of Joao Gomes, 22 and Boubacar Traore, 21. More

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    Barcelona’s Messi offer revealed with ace ‘needing to take 75 PER CENT pay cut on previous deal to secure free transfer’

    LIONEL MESSI will reportedly be offered just a QUARTER of his old Barcelona salary if he is to return to the Nou Camp.The Spanish giants are attempting to bring the Argentine legend, 35, back to the club.
    Lionel Messi is being linked with a return to Barcelona in the summerCredit: Getty
    Messi left in emotional circumstances two years ago as the Catalan side were forced to address their critical financial situation.
    He has now spent two seasons with Paris Saint-Germain, contributing 31 goals and 33 assists in 69 appearances.
    But he is out of contract with the Ligue 1 champions in the summer.
    And a return to Barcelona has been mooted as a potential destination for Messi, along with Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and David Beckham’s MLS club Inter Miami.
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    The World Cup-winner had spent his entire career at Barcelona before leaving in 2021, registering 672 goals and 303 assists in 778 games.
    But, according to Sport, Messi will not receive anywhere near the £88million annual salary that he was earning by the end of his spell at Nou Camp if he is to make a come back.
    It is understood they will offer Messi a deal worth £22m per year – in line with the sum being paid to Robert Lewandowski.
    That is a world away from the £375m a year he could reportedly scoop at Al-Hilal.
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    The length of the Barca contract is expected to be two years, but the Argentine will be given the option to terminate it after one season.
    And even if Messi is prepared to take a 75 per cent salary reduction, his return is still dependent on Barcelona slashing their wage bill.
    They are expected to sell players in order to raise the funds for Messi.
    A number of stars have already been linked with moves away from at the end of the season.
    Midfielder Gavi, 18, is being monitored by Chelsea after Barcelona removed him from their registration of first-team players due to their ongoing financial issues.
    This means he could leave on a free transfer in the summer.
    Ansu Fati is another player who could depart the Spanish giants as Manchester United eye the 20-year-old forward. More

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    Chelsea fans call on club to take FFP fine rather than sell key trio in cut-price transfers

    CHELSEA fans have urged the club to keep Levi Colwill, Reece James and record signing Enzo Fernandez even it costs them a hefty fine.The Blues are estimated to have splashed £600MILLION on signings ever since last summer when new owner Todd Boehly took over.
    Chelsea fans have urged the club not to sell a key trio in the summerCredit: Getty
    Chelsea fans insist Reece James shouldn’t be sold for a cut-priceCredit: Rex
    Chelsea fans insist Enzo Fernandez should stay even if it costs an FFP fineCredit: Getty
    Levi Colwill currently plays on loan for Brighton this seasonCredit: Alamy
    The West Londoners are now dealing with an inflated squad amid a disastrous season that has seen them tumble down to 11th place in the Premier League table.
    Chelsea may have to sell some of their biggest names in the summer on cut-price deals to raise funds for further reinforcement as they look set to miss out on Champions League qualification.
    But the Stamford Bridge outfit also face an “unpredictable” FFP future should they fail to qualify for Europe’s top competition.
    Three different stars have been linked with a move away to avoid any financial issues.
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    Those are James, Fernandez and Colwill, who is currently on loan at Brighton.
    However, supporters took to social media and called on Chelsea to hold on to them even if that lands them on hot water with Financial Fair Play regulations.
    One fan tweeted: “Wait what do you mean Chelsea didn’t sell Colwill, James, Enzo.”
    “An FFP fine is far better than losing those 3. Get real with the times.”
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    Another commented: “If we sell either Colwill or Maatsen, I’ll lose it.”
    A third posted: “Sell aging players and make Reece James the club captain. Keep our academy players! They are worth more than a Billion.”
    This fan said: “He’s [Colwill] going to be a huge player for Chelsea next year. Sorry Brighton, he’s coming home.”
    And that one stated: “The best thing about this season was signing Enzo Fernandez..” More

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    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery ‘plots Smith Rowe reunion despite Villans seeing £30m transfer bid rejected by Arsenal’

    ASTON VILLA are plotting a fresh swoop for Arsenal starlet Emile Smith Rowe, according to reports.The ambitious Villans are targeting a move that would see Smith Rowe reunite with Unai Emery, the manager that handed him his Gunners debut.
    Emile Smith Rowe is yet to start a Premier League game this seasonCredit: Getty
    Villa tried to sign Smith Rowe in the summer of 2021, having a £30million bid rejected by Mikel Arteta’s side.
    According to talkSPORT, changing circumstances could see the Midlands club try their luck once again.
    During their previous pursuit, Smith Rowe had emerged as a key man at the Emirates.
    But that is no longer the case, with the injury-plagued attacking midfielder having fallen down the pecking order.
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    Smith Rowe is yet to start a single Premier League game this term.
    The 22-year-old has been limited to just 11 outings in all competitions, making nine sub appearances in the Prem.
    He spent much of the first half of the season recovering from groin surgery.
    Aston Villa find themselves in a strong spot under Emery, having surged up to table since the Spaniard’s appointment.
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    Smith Rowe was handed his Arsenal debut by Unai EmeryCredit: Getty – Contributor
    Previously struggling under Steven Gerrard, Villa are now sixth in the league.
    They sit just six points behind the top four, albeit with Newcastle and Manchester United both possessing a game in hand apiece.
    Following Villa’s previous interest, Smith Rowe signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal.
    He was also handed the vacant No10 shirt with his boyhood club.
    Smith Rowe has played just 12 minutes of Arsenal’s last five Premier League matches.
    Despite his lack of game time, boss Mikel Arteta recently reaffirmed his “love” for Smith Rowe.
    He needs to prove how much he wants to winMikel Arteta on Smith Rowe
    The Gunners boss said last month: “He knows how much we love him, and we know how much we missed him and how much we need his qualities.
    “And now he needs to prove it, he needs to prove how much he wants to win, and how much he’s going to contribute to this team to be better and win.
    “And he’s going to have to show that to get in the team.
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    “I think we have to manage his load, but for sure he’s in a position where we can throw him in the team at any moment.
    “And then it’s about how he’s coping with the team in general and whether we have to take him off or to use him in the last few minutes of the game.”
    Smith Rowe was handed the No10 shirt after Villa’s last pursuitCredit: Rex More

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    Man Utd ‘place Atalanta star Rasmus Hojlund on striker transfer shortlist’ but face battle with Arsenal and Chelsea

    MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly placed Atalanta star Rasmus Hojlund on their shortlist for a new striker.But they face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea for the Danish star.
    Man Utd are keen on signing Arsenal and Chelsea target Rasmus Hojlund from AtalantaCredit: Rex

    Hojlund, 20, has made waves this season in Italy with eight goals for Atalanta.
    He then scored a hat-trick on his Denmark debut last month before bagging another two strikes in the following game.
    And Scandinavian publisher B.T. claims United have formally declared their interest in a summer transfer.
    It’s reckoned the Red Devils have joined Spanish giants Real Madrid in submitting a “letter of interest” to Atalanta.
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    While not binding, the paper shows that United are serious about Hojlund and could soon follow up with a concrete bid.
    However, it’s added that the player is just one of “three to five” strikers on Erik ten Hag’s wishlist.
    And that could open the door for one of Arsenal or Chelsea to pounce.
    They are also interested in signing Hojlund, despite being yet to submit a letter to his club.
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    But there are other European clubs in the running too.
    Hojlund could yet end up staying in Italy, with Napoli, AC Milan and Juventus ready to pounce.
    Impending Spanish champions Barcelona and German giants Bayern Munich also fancy the look of Hojlund.
    And there is every chance he remains at Atalanta for another season.
    However, Hojlund is not thinking about his future until he signs with a new agency.
    And an agreement could be finalised in the coming weeks. More

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    Man Utd ‘keeping tabs on ex-Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori’ as Erik ten Hag eyes Maguire replacement transfer

    MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing a swoop for former Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori, according to reports.The 25-year-old central-half is currently riding high after helping AC Milan to seal a spot in the Champions League semi-final.
    Man Utd are reportedly plotting a move for Milan’s Fikayo TomoriCredit: Rex
    And that comes off the back of him playing a key role in the Serie A title success last season.
    England international Tomori, who was left out of Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, moved to the San Siro from Chelsea in 2021 after losing his place under Thomas Tuchel.
    He remains under contract until 2025 but his impressive season has “garnered attention from Manchester United and Tottenham”, according to the Daily Mail.
    And they add that both clubs are “keeping tabs on the defender”.
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    This fresh link comes amid reports that United boss Erik ten Hag is planning a major overhaul of his defence this summer.
    We also revealed that club captain Harry Maguire, who has been benched for the majority of the campaign, is a shock £50m target for French giants Paris Saint-Germain. 
    The star has struggled for regular action this term and looks set to leave Old Trafford, with Tomori seemingly lined-up as a replacement.
    The club are also booking to offload fellow defenders Eric Bailly, Alex Telles and Brandon Williams.
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    And outcast Phil Jones is departing when his contract expires in June.
    Meanwhile, United have allegedly held talks with Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong already.
    The right-back’s potential arrival could also mean that either, or both, of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot could head out of the exit door.
    Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards burst out laughing when Tomori described Thierry Henry in glowing terms.
    The CBS Sports pundits chatted to the ace, who grew up in Kent. And he had the panel in stitches with his comment after Milan’s triumph over Napoli this week.
    Carragher said: “A little birdie tells me the guy who asked the question before me [Henry] is one of your biggest idols. What are your thoughts of him as a pundit as well as a player?”

    Tomori replied: “As a player of course there’s not much to be said.
    “Growing up, Thierry I hope you don’t mind me embarrassing you like this, but yeah I was a big fan and he was my idol. Obviously as I was getting older, I moved further back down the pitch.”
    Then he cracked the former defenders in the studio up as he added: “As a pundit, he’s really funny.”
    Carragher immediately jumped in, shouting: “Funny? Funny? That’s me and Micah not Thierry, he’s the analyst.”
    But Tomori explained: “We were watching the video of him doing the guess who and he guessed himself twice instead of Oli [Giroud]. So yeah he’s really funny.”
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    And that prompted more hilarious reactions from the ex-players and host Kate Abdo.
    But Abdo did have to apologise to Tomori after blunder pair Carragher and Richards both mispronounced his name as Fuh-kaw-ree instead of Fuh-kay-ow. More

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    Karim Benzema handed one-year contract extension due to special clause as Real Madrid apply unwritten rule

    KARIM BENZEMA has been handed a one-year contract extension.That’s after Real Madrid activated a special unwritten clause in the Frenchman’s deal.
    Real Madrid have extended Karim Benzema’s contract with a secret clauseCredit: Reuters
    Benzema, 35, will go down as one of the greats after spending an incredible 14 years at the Bernabeu so far.
    He joined Real from Lyon for £36million in 2009 after winning four consecutive league titles in France.
    And Benzema has since gone on to land four LaLigas and five Champions Leagues with Los Blancos.
    The striker has also netted an incredible 349 goals in 640 games.
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    And after last term’s 44-goal haul, Benzema was awarded his first-ever Ballon d’Or in October.
    As a result, AS claims his contract has now been extended for another year.
    Winning the coveted individual trophy saw an unwritten clause activated by Real president Florentino Perez.
    Benzema’s contract was due to expire this summer.
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    But he will now be staying put at the Bernabeu until 2024, with next term expected to be his last.
    Real already have a replacement lined up in Brazilian teenager Endrick.
    The versatile forward, who can play through the middle or on the left, will cost Real £60m.
    The Spaniards saw off competition from Chelsea to sign Endrick from Palmeiras.
    And he could be set to form a front three featuring fellow Samba stars Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. More