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    Ipswich set to spend big if they win promotion to Championship with Southampton ace Adam Armstrong top transfer target

    IPSWICH will spend big if they win promotion.Southampton striker Adam Armstrong is one of the ambitious targets being discussed as their American backers prepare to splash the cash if they get out of League One.
    Ipswich want to sign Armstrong if they earn promotionCredit: Getty
    Armstrong, 26, has made 61 appearances for the Saints since joining the club for £15million in 2021.
    And his recent performances have impressed newly-appointed manager Ruben Selles.
    When speaking to The Daily Echo last month, the Saints boss said: “I think Adam is very robust in his work and he’s a player that every other player trusts.
    “We know what his strengths are and for those last minutes he always brings exactly what we need.
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    “Usually it’s his pace into the space, final third situations. But he’s also very very generous defensively-wise.
    “So either from the start or when he comes into the pitch, I have no doubt about him. He’s a great boy so I’m very very pleased with his performance and the way that he’s performing for us.”
    Armstrong’s influence at St Mary’s has made him a target for several EFL clubs.
    Watford and Middlesbrough were both interested in signing him last summer.
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    And now Ipswich are keen to negotiate a deal if they secure promotion to the Championship.
    Armstrong enjoyed a prolific season in the second tier with Blackburn before joining Southampton.
    During the 2020-21 campaign he scored 28 goals in 40 Championship appearances for the Blue and Whites. More

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    Dortmund scout Burnley ace Anass Zaroury as they plot recruitment drive with Bellingham set for transfer away

    BORUSSIA DORTMUND are keeping an eye on Burnley’s Moroccan magician Anass Zaroury.The German title-chasers sent scout Benjamin Frank to watch the winger in action for Vincent Kompany’s side.
    Anass Zaroury is wanted by a number of top European sidesCredit: Getty
    Jude Bellingham could leave Dortmund and fund a Zaroury bidCredit: Getty
    But Dortmund had plenty of company at one recent Turf Moor game, with French clubs Monaco and Marseille in attendance.
    Standard Liege have also been watching the player.
    Dortmund could have plenty of cash to splash if they sell Jude Bellingham with a host of clubs after him.
    Zaroury only joined Burnley last summer, signing a four-year deal from Belgian outfit Charleroi.
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    He has impressed for the side that will be playing in the Premier League next season, scoring 12 goals and registering five assists.
    The 22-year-old’s good form saw him earn a call-up to the Moroccan national team and he has been capped three times.
    He was involved in the Atlas Lions’ incredible run to the semi-finals of the World Cup last year, stepping in for the injured Amine Harit at the last minute.
    Zaroury will be hoping to add a piece of silverware to his trophy cabinet as Burnley close in on the Championship title.
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    They play second-placed Sheffield United on Monday and a win would take them 14 points clear at the top.
    Burnley will be hoping to keep hold of Zaroury for next term’s Premier League campaign and they plan to add to the squad.
    They are already lining up a move for Man Utd target Bart Verbruggen.
    The 20-year-old goalkeeper worked with Kompany at Anderlecht and is viewed as one of the hottest prospects in Europe. More

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    Birmingham starlet Jordan James in transfer battle between struggling Leicester and Serie A side Bologna

    SERIE A side Bologna are battling with Leicester for Birmingham’s young Welsh star Jordan James.The 18-year-old midfielder is wanted by the Italian club, who have been raiding emerging British talent.
    Bologna and Leicester are both interested in signing JamesCredit: Getty
    James went to the World Cup with Rob Page’s Wales squad as an extra man for the experience and to broaden his education.
    Bologna are looking at a £2million offer — but face competition from Leicester, who have been tracking James for some time.
    Blues boss John Eustace has used James mostly as a sub lately and the youngster would rather take his chance elsewhere, either in Italy or with the Foxes.
    Leicester are in desperate need of some midfield reinforcements, especially with star man James Maddison expected to leave in the summer for around £50m.
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    The Foxes are also at risk of losing Youri Tielemans on a free transfer.
    The Belgium international has just two months remaining on his current contract and he is unlikely to agree terms for a new deal.
    Leicester currently sit 19th in the Premier League table, two points from safety.
    They are embroiled in a relegation battle with Southampton, Nottingham Forest, Everton, Bournemouth, West Ham and Leeds.
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    Ex-boss Brendan Rodgers was sacked last week after the club fell into the drop zone.
    And officials are yet to confirm his replacement.
    Jesse Marsch is expected to take the job before next week’s clash with Manchester City. More

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    Arsenal and Chelsea in five-club transfer battle to land son of ex-Premier League star

    MANCHESTER CITY rookie Kian Breckin is on the hitlist of a host of Premier League clubs.The 19-year-old midfielder is the son of former Nottingham Forest centre-back Ian.
    Kian Breckin is attracting attention from a number of Premier League clubsCredit: Getty
    The likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Southampton have all watched the midfielder in action.
    However, only a sizable bid could tempt City to sell.
    Breckin has played 21 times in the Premier League 2 for City’s U21s this season.
    He has an impressive return from midfield, scoring seven goals and providing four assists this term.
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    The teenager first joined City back in 2015.
    He played a key role in helping the club to the U18 Premier League title in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
    The youngster then moved up to City’s Elite Development Squad for the current campaign.
    SunSport exclusively revealed in January that Breckin was attracting interest from Southampton.
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    Breckin’s dad, Ian, played over 150 times for Forest in a four-year spell at the City ground from 2005 to 2009.
    The former centre-back, 47, also spent time with Rotherham, Chesterfield and Wigan. More

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    Man Utd ‘target Brighton pair in sensational double transfer swoop’ but face competition from Premier League rivals

    MANCHESTER UNITED are interested in signing Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, according to reports.Erik ten Hag is eager to add to his midfield ranks ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
    United want to sign Caicedo and Mac AllisterCredit: AFP
    And according to The Telegraph, he believes both Mac Allister and Caicedo would be a perfect fit for the Red Devils.
    United have struggled this season when missing Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield.
    And with loan star Marcel Sabitzer set to return to Bayern Munich this summer, reinforcements will undoubtedly be required to build on the club’s current form.
    However, it will cost a lot to tempt the Brighton duo away from the Amex Stadium.
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    Caicedo, who was on the verge of joining Arsenal for around £70million in January, recently signed a new contract with the Seagulls.
    His current deal expires in 2027, so United would likely have to pay upwards of £100m if they want to lure him to Old Trafford.
    Mac Allister also comes with a hefty price tag.
    Brighton have valued the World Cup winner at around £70m, but that amount will likely increase with the growing interest in him.
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    Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal are also keen on signing the Argentina international.
    Mac Allister recently revealed that he would prefer to remain in the Premier League if he did decide to leave Brighton.
    He told Gaston Edul of TyC Sports: “The truth is I don’t have a team in particular where I say they suit my way of playing.
    “I think that here in the Premier League, there are very strong teams, teams who play very well, like Manchester City and Arsenal.
    “Chelsea, I had (Graham) Potter and I know more or less the idea he has for playing football.
    “Manchester United are returning a bit to what they were and Liverpool are having ups and downs but have still got a very important team and coach.
    “If you ask me, I’d like my next step to be in the Premier League.”
    Also on United’s shortlist of midfield targets are West Ham’s Declan Rice and Morocco ace Sofyan Amrabat. More

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    How Todd Boehly turned to TV star James Corden for advice before hiring Frank Lampard as Chelsea interim manager

    TV star James Corden played a surprise role in the shock appointment of Frank Lampard at Chelsea.Interim boss Lampard lost at Wolves on his “surreal” return and says he will not solve the club’s problems in one day.
    Chelsea hired Frank Lampard as interim manager for the rest of the seasonCredit: PA
    Chelsea owner Todd Boehly needed advice after sacking Graham PotterCredit: Rex
    Boehly turned to TV star James Corden for advice before hiring LampardCredit: Rex
    Lamps was named on Thursday after Gavin and Stacey creator Corden gave pal and Blues owner Todd Boehly his opinion.
    The US talk show host and American financier Boehly have become mates.
    When Boehly looked for a caretaker after Graham Potter was axed last Sunday, West Ham fan Corden’s idea got the nod.
    Corden and Lampard are pals from Sky show A League of Their Own where the ex-England midfielder’s cousin Jamie Redknapp is a team captain.
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    Lamps watched Chelsea manage just one shot on target as Matheus Nunes scored a stunning winner.
    The interim chief said: “It is a big task. We know we are in a position we do not want to be in — but there is a reason for it.
    “I did not expect to solve everything in one day. At the same time,   you have to have more aggression in your game.
     “Lack of confidence can look like lack of aggression but, as a team,  there were second balls and duels we were not quite at. I don’t mind saying it.
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    “Four or five days ago I was planning different stuff. That part was surreal.
    “Being Chelsea manager does not feel different to me. I’m not taking it lightly but it has been my club for a long time so I appreciate being back.
    “I am disappointed I could not give the fans a win on my first game back.”
    Lampard must hope for a massive improvement for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Real Madrid.
    He added: “We have a huge game  where everything changes. I’m excited.”
    Meanwhile, Chelsea and the Prem slammed “unacceptable” homophobic chants heard during the Molineux loss. Three arrests were made. More

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    Frank Lampard bizarrely says he can’t speak about assistants ‘for some reason’ with Chelsea coaches still unannounced

    CHELSEA interim manager Frank Lampard revealed he is not allowed to name his assistants “for some reason” after his return to Stamford Bridge.Lampard came back at the helm to guide the Blues until the end of the season on Thursday just two years after his dismissal by previous owner Roman Abramovich.
    Frank Lampard returned to Chelsea as the club’s interim managerCredit: PA
    Lampard is not allowed to name his assistant coaches at ChelseaCredit: Rex
    Although the ex-Everton boss’ backroom team had not been officially announced, coaches Ashley Cole, Joe Edwards and Chris Jones were all involved in putting the team through the warm-up at Molineux.
    Weirdly, the 44-year-old tactician claimed afterwards he was not allowed to talk about his assistants.
    Lampard said: “I cannot speak about the backroom team for some reason. You can write what you saw.”
    Chelsea put together another poor performance at Molineux, which led to a 1-0 loss to Wolves.
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    The hosts picked up the win after a stunning volley by Matheus Nunes on 31 minutes.
    The West Londoners’ caretaker coach admitted he is facing a “big task” but insists he never expected to turn things around in just one day.
    Lampard said: “It is a big task. We know we are in a position we do not want to be in — but there is a reason for it.
    “I did not expect to solve everything in one day. At the same time, you have to have more aggression in your game.
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    “Lack of confidence can look like lack of aggression but, as a team, there were second balls and duels we were not quite at. I don’t mind saying it.
    “Four or five days ago I was planning different stuff. That part was surreal.
    “Being Chelsea manager does not feel different to me. I’m not taking it lightly but it has been my club for a long time so I appreciate being back.
    “I am disappointed I could not give the fans a win on my first game back.” More

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    Crystal Palace line up Spurs flop as potential Wilfried Zaha replacement after incredible season

    SUNDERLAND winger Jack Clarke is being watched by Crystal Palace — in case Wilfried Zaha leaves.Palace fancied left-sided Clarke, 22, when he was a teenager at Leeds — and saw him in dazzling form against Hull on Friday.
    Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha’s contract runs out in JuneCredit: Rex
    Crystal Palace eye Sunderland star Jack Clarke as Zaha’s replacementCredit: Rex
    Clarke had an unsuccessful stint at Tottenham where he struggled for minutesCredit: Getty
    The winger started out at the Elland Road academy and earned a senior call-up in 2018.
    The England Under-20 international amassed a total of two goals and two assists in 28 appearances with the Whites.
    That led the versatile forward, who can also play as a left midfielder, attacking midfielder as well as a centre-forward, to Tottenham just a year later.
    However, Clarke struggled to break into the senior squad as he only managed a mere four appearances across all competitions.
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    He was loaned back to Leeds before also undergoing temporary stints at Queens Park Rangers, Stoke and finally Sunderland.
    The youngster finally found his new home at the Black Cats, who signed him on a permanent deal in July.
    Clarke has since risen to prominence with a total of 10 goals and nine assists in 42 appearances this season.
    Zaha’s contract with Palace comes to an end in June and there are no signs he will put pen to paper on a new deal.
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    Palace initially feared the winger had played his last ever match at Selhurst Park after leaving the pitch in tears last Saturday against Leicester following a groin injury.
    But scans since have shown that the damage is not as bad as first feared, with the club expecting the Ivory Coast international to be sidelined for around three weeks.
    That means the 30-year-old could return for their London derby against West Ham on April 29. More