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      Southampton launch Jeremy Doku transfer bid as talks begin with Rennes over signing 20-year-old Belgian winger

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      SOUTHAMPTON will reportedly launch a bid for winger Jeremy Doku as they bid to fight their way out of relegation. The highly-rated winger is currently at Rennes after a £23m move in 2020.
      Doku came from Anderlecht’s academy and emerged a major young talentCredit: AFP
      While injuries have hampered his progress in France, Doku has demonstrated flashes of quality and goal-threat.
      Foot Mercato report that the Saints are bidding to bring him to St Mary’s to give their struggling side a boost.
      The Premier League side are believed to be enquiring about his availability.
      Southampton will be hoping he can bring some additional sharpness to their goal-shy forward line.
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      But the report adds that Rennes will be unwilling to let him go easily.
      Doku scored his first goal for more than a year in the French Cup over the weekend as Rennes won 2-1 away at 10-man Bordeaux.
      But he is yet to register a goal or assist in the league in 10 appearances this season.
      Despite his misfiring, Rennes are enjoying another solid season in Ligue 1.
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      They are currently fourth, two points behind Marseille who occupy the final Champions League spot.
      While they aim for Europe, Southampton are toiling in the Premier League.
      The south-coast sit bottom of their league, three points away from safety, having lost their last six games in the division.
      Nathan Jones was brought in to replace Ralph Hassenhuttl in November but has failed to turn things around, losing all four of his league games.
      But a surprise FA Cup win at Crystal Palace will provide hope to fans that a great escape is still possible.
      Southampton have already been busy in the window and have reportedly signed Argentine midfielder Carlos Alcaraz. More

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      Chelsea-bound Christopher Nkunku will not play until end of February as his recovery from knee injury drags on

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      CHELSEA-BOUND Christopher Nkunku will not play until the end of February at the earliest as his recovery from a knee injury drags on.The France striker and his club Red Bull Leipzig have targeted the Champions League last 16 clash with Manchester City on February 22 as his comeback date.
      Christopher Nkunku is set to sign for Chelsea in the summerCredit: AFP
      But after suffering an injury prior to the World Cup, his return date has now been revealedCredit: AFP
      Nkunku remains in Paris undergoing treatment for the problem which he picked up just before the World Cup and which stopped him from joining the eventual finalists in Qatar.
      Chelsea and Leipzig have yet to formalise the £53 million deal which was triggered by the Premier League side meeting the player’s buy-out clause in his contract.
      The date with City is only a loose target with some people fearing Nukunku’s return may come as late as March to ensure his injury is fully fit again.
      Chelsea have been pursuing Nkunku for some time and even arranged a secret medical for him in early September as they looked to get ahead of their rivals.
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      He was named in Didier Deschamp’s provisional 25-man squad for Qatar but had to withdraw after getting hurt in a collision with Eduardo Camavinga while training at France’s national team HQ in Clairefontaine near Paris.
      Chelsea are eager to add firepower to boss Graham Potter’s squad having struggled with forwards in recent seasons.
      Belgium star Romelu Lukaku lasted just a season before being sent back to Inter Milan on loan.
      Veteran Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is struggling to make an impact after signing in the summer.
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      Germany striker Timo Werner lasted only two seasons before he returned to Germany.
      Chelsea have won just once in the last seven matches.
      Here’s how Nkunku performed for RB Leipzig before his injury More

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      Barcelona ‘ready to sell three stars including Man Utd transfer target Ansu Fati… but make two players untouchable’

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      CASH-STRAPPED Barcelona are reportedly ready to have a firesale of stars as they look to balance the books.The club spent a combined figure of around £150m to bring in Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Kounde in the summer.
      Barcelona are reportedly willing to consider offers for a number of players to balance the booksCredit: Getty
      And in order to do this, they were forced to take drastic measures such as selling a 25 per cent stake of their in-house production company, as well as ten per cent of their TV rights for the next 25 years.
      To ensure they don’t end up in the same situation this summer, the club are willing to consider the sale of a number of big name players.
      Brazil international winger Raphinha is one of them, with the club hoping to recoup the £55m they paid to sign him from Leeds.
      Ferran Torres is also reportedly allowed to leave for the right price, having joined from Man City for £55m two years ago.
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      And perhaps most surprisingly, the club are said to be prepared to listen to offers for 20-year-old Ansu Fati.
      Fati was previously a top target for Man Utd, with the club reportedly agreeing a £135m deal to sign him in 2020 before Barca pulled the plug.
      Such was the high regard that the Spain starlet was held in, that the club handed him Lionel Messi’s number ten shirt following the World Cup winner’s departure.
      But journalist Jose Alvarez told El Chiringuito that Barca have not been satisfied with the performances of Fati and the two other players and could consider an offer in order to keep Robert Lewandowski and Ousmane Dembele.
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      Alvarez’s report labelled the 34-year-old Pole and World Cup finalist Dembele as the club’s only “untouchables” in the coming two transfer windows.
      Lewandowski has been in fine form since joining Barca, netting 18 goals in 20 games.
      And despite a disastrous performance which saw him hauled off before half time for France in the World Cup final, Dembele’s exploits for Barcelona have been much improved under Xavi.
      Ansu Fati could be sold in a surprise decision from the La Liga leadersCredit: AFP
      Raphinha could be sold after failing to impress since joining from LeedsCredit: Getty
      ‘Untouchable’ Robert Lewandowski will not be sold by Barca for any priceCredit: Getty More

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      Southampton snap-up Argentine wonderkid Carlos Alcaraz in £12m transfer as 20-year-old jets in from Racing Club

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      SOUTHAMPTON have signed 20-year-old ace Carlos Alcaraz from Racing Club, according to the Argentine side.A tweet from Racing read: “Carlos Alcaraz was transferred to Southampton, of the English Premier League, for 13,650,000 euros plus a 15% capital gain in the event of a future sale.
      Carlos Alcaraz arriving at Heathrow Airport ahead of joining SouthamptonCredit: SunSport (At Heathrow)
      “Good luck, dear Charly, in this new stage!”
      And the midfielder was seen arriving at Heathrow Airport to complete the deal.
      Alcaraz was a star performer in a season that saw Racing narrowly miss out on the title to Boca Juniors.
      But he got his revenge on Boca by scoring a last minute winner in extra time to secure the Champions Trophy for his club.
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      The drama didn’t end there however, as Alcaraz riled up the Boca fans with his celebration, which led to an all-out brawl as he became one of ten players sent off.
      Southampton are in desperate need of reinforcements as they sit at the foot of the table, three points off survival and with an inferior goal difference to 17th placed West Ham.
      After a poor run of form, Ralph Hasenhuttl was sacked in November as the club turned to Luton boss Nathan Jones.
      However, there have been no signs of improvement under Jones, with the Saints losing all four Premier League games since Hasenhuttl’s sacking.
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      And anti-Jones songs rang out around the away end at Selhurst Park even as Southampton beat Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round.
      Southampton face Man City at home in the EFL Cup tomorrow before a crucial trip to fellow strugglers Everton on Saturday.
      Alcaraz starred for Racing as they narrowly missed out on the title to BocaCredit: Getty
      Southampton boss Nathan Jones is in desperate need of reinforcements for the club’s relegation battleCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-Man Utd star Fabio completes Gremio transfer and links up with former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez

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      FORMER Manchester United defender Fabio da Silva has joined Brazilian side Gremio after leaving French club Nantes.The full-back, 32, who spent six years at Old Trafford alongside his brother Rafael, has penned a two-year deal with the South American outfit.
      Fabio da Silva spent four-and-a-half years with NantesCredit: Getty
      He made his name at Man Utd between 2008 and 2014Credit: Bradley Ormesher – The Times
      He enjoyed four seasons with Nantes, winning the Coupe de France last season.
      The silverware convinced him to stay for another year, but with just six months left on his contract the Ligue 1 club opted to cash in on him in the January window.
      Brazilian Fabio came through the Fluminense set-up before being signed by Man Utd as a teenager in 2008.
      He made 56 appearances for the English giants, while his brother managed 170 games.
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      Fabio only played enough times to receive a winner’s medal in one of Man Utd’s three Premier League triumphs while he was at the club.
      That was the 2010/11 campaign when he played 11 league games.
      During his time with United, he had a spell on loan at QPR but permanently left in 2014 to join Cardiff.
      The Welsh side were relegated during his time there, before he received some more Premier League football at Middlesbrough.
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      In 2018 he moved to Nantes and played 91 times, but he has managed just three league starts this season due to injury.
      And now he is returning to Brazil to play in his home country for the first time in 14 years as he links up with Gremio – who were recently promoted to the top flight.
      Meanwhile, his brother Rafael left Man Utd one year after Fabio in 2015.
      He went on to play for Lyon and Istanbul Basaksehir and is now plying his trade back in Brazil for Botafogo – the team his twin Fabio supported as a child.
      Rafael, left, and Fabio, right, both won the Premier League at Man UtdCredit: Mark Robinson – The Sun More

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      Wout Weghorst offers to pay compensation fee to Besiktas to seal Man Utd transfer as announcement nears

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      WOUT WEGHORST has reportedly offered to pay the compensation fee to Besiktas out of his own pocket in order to complete a move to Manchester United.The Dutchman, 30, is being heavily linked with a loan transfer to Old Trafford this month.
      Wout Weghorst is currently on loan at Besiktas from BurnleyCredit: Getty
      He has emerged as the No1 target for fellow countryman Erik ten Hag following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.
      But Man Utd have been struggling to get a deal over the line due to the complexity of Weghorst’s situation.
      He is a Burnley player but on loan at Besiktas until the end of the season.
      And the Turkish giants want a fee in order to prematurely end his spell there.
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      They are also want a replacement lined up, with Vincent Aboubakar a possible arrival after his Al-Nassr contract was terminated to allow Ronaldo to register for the Saudi outfit.
      According to journalist Gokhan Dinc, Weghorst is prepared to pay the compensation fee himself if that is what it takes to complete a move to United.
      Dinc also claims Besiktas are expected to announce his exit on Tuesday, although it is unclear whether the striker has paid the compensation fee or the two clubs have simply come to an agreement.
      Weghorst, who appeared to say goodbye to the Besiktas fans after scoring at the weekend, has bagged nine goals in 18 appearances so far this season.
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      He will bring a more direct approach to the United attack, with Ten Hag currently relying on Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as his main forwards.
      If a deal for Weghorst does fall through, the Red Devils have also been linked with moves for Edin Dzeko and Olivier Giroud.

      Man Utd currently sit fourth in the Premier League table after four wins in a row.
      Next up for Ten Hag’s men is a Carabao Cup quarter-final against Charlton on Tuesday evening, before they host Manchester City in a local derby on Saturday lunchtime. More

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      Chelsea face missing out on Marcus Thuram as Barcelona ‘scout striker ahead of summer transfer’

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      CHELSEA are facing an uphill battle to sign Marcus Thuram after Barcelona sent scouts to watch him, according to reports. Thuram, 25, is out of contract in the summer and consequently represents a cut-price option in a heavily inflated January market.
      Chelsea face missing out on Marcus ThuramCredit: Getty
      Chelsea are one of a number of sides who have been linked with a move for the Frenchman, who can play as a winger or a striker.
      However, Barcelona are understood to be taking the most keen look at him.
      According to Mundo Deportivo, the club’s present financial situation is restricting them from being able to freely navigate the market.
      Therefore, they have been seeking cheaper alternatives – a profile Thuram fits due to the nature of his contract.
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      The report indicates the Spanish giants have sent scouts to watch the Borussia Monchengladbach star, with “favourable” reports being returned.
      Thuram is typically deployed through the centre in Germany, but during the World Cup he made his impact off the bench coming from the wing, showcasing his versatility.
      With him thought to be available for just under £10million as well, the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle, Tottenham and Liverpool have all retained an interest.
      But each of these clubs seem to have transfer target priorities which, for now at least, lie elsewhere.
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      Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is said to have now stepped down from his role as interim sporting director, but it has not stopped the club pressing forward with deals.
      The Blues have verbally agreed to cough up the £10million loan fee for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, which they hope will alleviate some of their issues for the remainder of the season.
      Here’s how Thuram has performed in the Bundesliga this season More

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      Gary Neville questions ‘radical’ new Man Utd wage cap and fears it will ruin Mbappe, Bellingham and Rice transfers

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      GARY NEVILLE has hit out at Manchester United’s new £200,000-a-week salary cap.The Red Devils are reportedly preparing to introduce a “Cristiano Ronaldo rule” which will see wages limited.
      Gary Neville is not a huge fan of Man Utd’s new salary capCredit: Rex
      He says that will rule out signing the likes of Kylian MbappeCredit: Getty
      The club’s most recent annual wage bill was around £228m – the biggest in the Premier League.
      Before Ronaldo’s departure to Al-Nassr, he was earning a staggering £480,000-a-week, while keeper David de Gea is still raking in £375k every seven days.
      However, chief executive Richard Arnold, director of football John Murtough and manager Erik ten Hag are set to employ a squad-wide pay cap in order to avoid a culture of jealousy in the dressing room.
      But ex-United captain Neville completely disagrees with that policy and says they should not be introducing “radical policies” while the Glazer family are looking to sell the club.
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      The former England defender and now Sky Sports pundit tweeted: “Not sure why any radical new policy is being introduced IF new owners are imminent.
      “Capping wages is a radical policy. Rules out [Declan] Rice, [Jude] Bellingham and others in that bracket.
      “Any new owners would probably want to enter the running for these types and probably Mbappe as well. 200k won’t get you Rice or Bellingham let alone [Kylian] Mbappe!”
      Bruno Fernandes signed a new five-year deal back in April and is believed to be earning within the pay bracket.
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      Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Casemiro are said to be on similar salaries.
      And the Man Utd players have wage sanctions written into their contracts for failing to qualify for the Champions League.
      Luke Shaw, whose deal expires in 2024, will reportedly be offered a wage packet in the same range.
      But it could spell trouble for De Gea, whose contract expires in June. More