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      Sean Longstaff hints at shock Newcastle transfer exit as academy graduate, 27, admits ‘I want to be valued’

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      SEAN LONGSTAFF has warned Newcastle United that he could move elsewhere unless he feels “appreciated” and “valued” with a new contract.The midfielder, 27, was one of the best performers as the Magpies beat Arsenal last weekend. Sean Longstaff was one of Newcastle’s top performers against ArsenalCredit: RexHe is looking for an improved contract at his boyhood clubCredit: GettyThat followed on from his return to the starting XI for the Carabao Cup victory over Chelsea.The North Shields-born academy graduate is now competing with Brazilian internationals Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, Italian ace Sandro Tonali, Joe Willock and Lewis Miley for a spot in midfield.After a sticky run of results, Toon are unbeaten in the seven matches he has started this term.Longstaff said: “You’ve got friends who tell you but for me, you can look at stats whichever way you want.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“There’s always going to be people who – you can give them all the stats in the world and they’ll still have an opinion. That won’t change their opinion whether the stats are there or not.“For me I just try to play my game, if we win brilliant, if not I’m just trying to look at what we can do better as a team and we’ll go from there.”While some supporters feel Eddie Howe would be better playing one of the glitzier names instead, Longstaff says he is happy enough earning the praise from his colleagues and coaches rather than the fans.He said: “I don’t flick the ball over someone’s head like Bruno does, that’s what catches the eye but there’s lots of ways to win a football match.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“My job is to make them flourish as best as they can and get in the box and score goals when I can.“I always put the team first, probably to my detriment sometimes.‘F—ing shut your mouth’ – Ian Wright in X-rated rant at giggling Alan Shearer after Newcastle stun Arsenal“I’m a bit too humble for my own good sometimes but whenever I play you know what you’re going to get.“I think you see the best from the people around me when I do play. As long as the changing room appreciates that and the staff appreciate that, it’s all that matters to me.”Longstaff continued: “I think me and the manager have always had a great relationship.“To be fair to him he’s never really listened to what other people think in the past. He’s always played me and I think there’s a reason for that.“There’s stuff I’d love to say to you but I can’t. All I can do is play football and my value will ultimately be shown on the football pitch.“Whether it’s when I’m playing or not playing, eventually if I keep doing the right things then one day everyone will see that and it might be when I’m not here anymore.“If that’s the case that’s the case. I love the manager to bits. I can only thank him for helping my career.”Longstaff says he has a great relationship with Eddie HoweCredit: GettyLongstaff claims he is “not sure” whether a 12-month extension to his current contract, which expires in the summer, has been triggered.But he will not sign anything unless he feels he is getting his market worth after seeing a number of other team-mates, with Anthony Gordon the most recent, receive pay rises.When pressed on if he sees his future at St. James’, he said: “Yeah, if it’s here it’s great. If it’s not, it’s not.“I want to be valued as a player, I want to be appreciated as a player and whether it’s here, great. If it’s not here and it’s somewhere else, it’ll be somewhere else.“In a way I live day to day, game to game and I just try and take in every game. I get to go to work every day and spend it with my best friends.“I don’t know what’s coming ahead, I don’t know what’s coming down the line, I just try to embrace every day and enjoy every minute because ultimately it won’t last forever.”Despite that contract issue going on in the background, Longstaff refuses to try to play down the Toon Army’s aspirations and dreams this season.And he says that securing European football is the very least that Howe’s men must deliver.READ MORE SUN STORIESLongstaff added: “You want to finish in the top four. There’s probably three teams that are definitely going to finish in there and then there’s four or five going for one spot in the CL.“Europe’s the minimum but that’s looking too far ahead, we’re just focusing on week to week, getting better and if we play well and do the things we’re good at we’ll end where we deserve to be.” More

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      Man Utd and Arsenal locked in Leroy Sane transfer battle as they look to snap up Bayern Munich star for free

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Arsenal are reportedly locked in a battle to sign Leroy Sane on a free transfer from Bayern Munich.The former Manchester City star, 28, is out of contract next summer.Man Utd and Arsenal are keen on signing Bayern Munich star Leroy SaneCredit: RexHe has lost his place in Bayern’s starting XI to summer signing Michael Olise.And a new deal does not look to be forthcoming from Vincent Kompany’s side, who he has helped win three titles in his 185 games.Sane can strike a pre-contract agreement with clubs from January, with a host of top European sides linked.But Bild claims the strongest interest is emerging from England, where Sane previously spent three seasons playing for Man City.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe won two titles and an FA Cup in 135 outings at the Etihad.Yet Sane could soon end up playing for the red side of the town as rivals Man United have made an enquiry.Incoming boss Ruben Amorim is already drawing up a list of targets to boost his squad.And Sane is strongly appreciated by the Portuguese tactician, as well as United’s transfer hierarchy of sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut the Red Devils aren’t the only English side interested in Sane.Arsenal are also fans of the German winger and could look to enter negotiations next year.Man Utd fans cry ‘please, not you as well’ as Ruben Amorim copies Ten Hag’s worrying comments after Sporting beat City United are also interested in Leon GoretzkaCredit: GettyMikel Arteta has made plenty of experienced signings during his time at the Emirates and Sane would give him options on both flanks, as well as through the middle.However, both United and Arsenal could be left empty-handed as Sane is reportedly keen to stay at Bayern and will not make a decision on his future while the prospect of staying remains on the table.Sky Germany claims United are also interested in Sane’s Bayern team-mate Leon Goretzka.Amorim is said to want a central midfielder in the role of a modern number eight this winter.Goretzka, 29, is in his seventh season with Bayern and has won five titles, plus a Champions League, in 229 outings.Like Sane, he has also fallen down the pecking order and could be open to an exit.United are also though to be looking for an “affordable” striker, with £35million summer signing Joshua Zirkzee so far failing to impress. More

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      Jack Grealish tipped for stunning return to former club as ‘very good friend’ says ‘it would have to be right for him’

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      JACK GREALISH has been tipped to make a shock return to Aston Villa.The 29-year-old swapped his boyhood club for Manchester City in a £100million deal back in 2021.Jack Grealish has been tipped to leave City for VillaCredit: ReutersHenri Lansbury reckons Grealish will one day look to return to Villa ParkCredit: GettySince joining Pep Guardiola’s side, Grealish has won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Champions League.But a difficult season last term saw him fail to land a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024.He has also struggled to nail down a spot in the City side this season, being named in the starting XI just six times amid injury issues.Grealish’s “very good friend” and former team-mate Henri Lansbury reckons he could benefit by moving back to Villa.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said at the launch of Ladbrokes’ Gaffer of all Accas: “The Man City move was an unreal one for Jack. He deserves every bit of success. “But now that he is there, you can’t forget you’re putting him in a team where, whoever they are coming up against, they are putting 11 men and their dog behind the ball. “When he was in the Villa team, it was a case of ‘give it to Jack’ and let him do his thing. “It’s a totally different thing for him now, but I think he’s been fantastic. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”I am honestly so happy for him. He is one of the nicest kids you will ever meet, and he’s also a very good friend of mine. “But this is just a totally different playing style under Guardiola. Jack Grealish owes Trent Alexander-Arnold £500 as he’s made to regret wager within seconds during England clash”You see him do bits here and there, and he will still get assists and goals, but I’m sure he will want to do more himself. “In terms of an Aston Villa return… I think it’s something he would want to do.”But it would have to be when the time is right for him.”It remains to be seen whether Grealish will one day return to Villa Park and whether they could afford him after PSR battles in the summer.But it might not take much to convince him to come home as they are currently flying high in the Premier League and Champions League under Unai Emery. More

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      Neymar at risk of being made UNEMPLOYED as Al-Hilal ‘consider ripping up his £2.5million-a-week contract’

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      NEYMAR is at risk of having his contract ripped up by Al-Hilal, according to reports.The superstar has struggled since his blockbuster move to Saudi Arabia.Al-Hilal could rip up Neymar’s contractCredit: GettyHe has been hit by injuries with an ACL tear keeping him sidelined for a year.Neymar, 32, made a return to action last month but featured in just two matches, for a grand total of 42 minutes, before picking up another injury.He has now been ruled out for three weeks with a muscle problem.And now Al-Hilal are considering getting rid of the Brazilian in January, six months before his contract expires, according to Brazilian outlet UOL.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAl-Hilal splashed £77.6million on Neymar but could be keen to get rid of his astronomical salary, understood to be worth £2.5m-a-week.If Neymar leaves he could return to Brazil, and possibly to Santos where he began his career.Al-Hilal club chiefs have been left frustrated and “fed up” with some of his off-field behaviour, with a club source revealing of it had been seen as “unprofessional” – a suggestion Neymar is yet to respond to.During his time out Neymar focused on things off the pitch, adding to his property portfolio by buying a £7m private island off the coast of Brazil.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe is said to be closing in on a deal to snap up Japao Private Island.Its Canadian owner is said to have sparked Neymar’s interest after slashing the asking price by more than £3million to get a quick sale.Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn square up as Neymar ‘acts like guest referee’ in baffling scenes More

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      How key Man Utd figure let Viktor Gyokeres go for just £1m before Sporting star became Europe’s most in-demand striker

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      VIKTOR GYOKERES has gone from an unwanted £1million man to the most sought-after striker in European football.The Swedish forward, 26, scored a hat-trick as Sporting Lisbon thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League.Viktor Gyokeres has already scored 23 goals this seasonCredit: AlamyIt brings his goal tally to 23 in 17 games for the season and 66 in 67 since arriving in Portugal from Coventry for around £20million last year.Gyokeres’ Sporting manager Ruben Amorim is preparing to leave for Manchester United after being announced as Erik ten Hag’s successor.Amorim, 39, will begin his reign at Old Trafford on November 11 – with Gyokeres being heavily linked with joining him in Manchester.But it was a Man Utd chief who was a key figure in selling the striker for just £1m three years ago.READ MORE ON MAN UTDDan Ashworth, now the Red Devils’ sporting director, sanctioned a deal for Gyokeres to leave Brighton and join Coventry for the tiny sum back in 2021.He played just eight games for the Seagulls and scored only one goal.After a loan spell with Coventry, Gyokeres joined them permanently for the seven-figure fee and went on to score 40 times in 97 games.His goals fired the Championship side to the play-off final which they lost to Luton.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSBut his impressive form attracted interest from Sporting – who have now seen him become one of the best attackers in Europe.It is estimated Man Utd will have to pay in the region of £85m if they are to bring him to Old Trafford.Watch Ruben Amorim celebrate with guard of honour as Sporting Lisbon boss narrowly avoids nasty bumps accidentAnd Amorim has already ruled out a move for him in the January window.He said: “Gyokeres is a Sporting player, which is a great club, he did a lot for it, he was in the second division.”He just has to stay and finish the season at Marques.”Meanwhile, Gyokeres also recently responded to being linked with Man Utd.He said: “I don’t know, I’m here. I really like being here, it’s not something I think about. I’m enjoying it here.”Three Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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      Liverpool put three left-backs on transfer wishlist to replace Andy Robertson including two Premier League stars

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      LIVERPOOL are tracking three left backs as potential long-term replacements for Andy Robertson.The Scottish international, 30, was on the bench at the weekend, and there are question marks over how long he will be an automatic starter for the Merseysiders.Andy Robertson has struggled for Liverpool so far this seasonCredit: RexReds boss Arne Slot is searching for a new left-backCredit: AFPAnd although new boss Arne Slot has shown faith in Kostas Tsimiskas, 28, SunSport understands the club have made recruiting a left-back one of their key priorities.Two players high on Liverpool’s wishlist are Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and the impressive David Raum from RB Leipzig.Both are seen as potential first-team players who could fit into Liverpool’s system.Scouts have watched both players several times this season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt is believed Slot is personally involved with the process and will play a key role in all future recruitment decisions.Liverpool are also tracking Ipswich’s impressive Leif Davis, who has made a strong start to the season for The Tractor Boys despite their difficult introduction to the Premier League.Slot believes Robertson is paying the price for playing with an injury last season but thinks he will recapture his flying form.The Scotland captain has had a difficult start to the campaign by his lofty standards.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFulham’s Antonee Robinson is a highly-rated talentCredit: PARB Leipzig and Germany full-back David Raum is another being linked to LiverpoolCredit: ReutersSlot remains relaxed about the 30-year-old’s form, however.Robertson sustained a serious ankle injury on international duty in March but continued to play through the pain as Liverpool chased a quadruple, before Scotland competed at Euro 2024. Antonee Robinson shows off his keepie uppie skills as he trains in his back garden He missed most of Slot’s inaugural pre-season as a consequence, including the head coach’s first games on tour in the US, leaving him playing catch-up physically and tactically.Slot said: “I think his current situation is what you can expect if a player misses out on pre-season and a new manager comes in – you miss quite a lot.”You have to go into a programme where you’ve missed the base tactically when it comes to us [a new management team], and physically as well.”Leif Davis is another left-back being monitored by LiverpoolCredit: Getty More

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      ‘We’re probably gonna see him in a Man Utd shirt because of his special connection with Ruben Amorim’

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      RUBEN AMORIM will bring Viktor Gyokeres to Manchester United because of his “special connection” with the striker, according to Dimitar Berbatov.Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim, 39, will arrive at Old Trafford on November 11 as Erik ten Hag’s successor.Ruben Amorim is being linked with bringing Sporting Lisbon players to Manchester UnitedCredit: ReutersViktor Gyokeres has been sensational since arriving in PortugalCredit: GettyEx-Man Utd striker Dimitar Berbatov believes Amorim will bring Gyokeres to Old TraffordCredit: Sky SportsEx-Coventry striker Gyokeres, 26, has been thriving under Amorim, scoring 43 goals in 50 games last season.He has continued that form at the start of the new campaign, bagging 20 in just 16 matches.Amorim has already ruled out signing Gyokeres in January, despite Man Utd having scored just nine goals in 10 Premier League games.He said: “I’m not going to get any players from Sporting in January.READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Gyokeres costs €100million and it’s very difficult.”However, former Red Devils striker Berbatov, 43, believes the relationship between Amorim and Gyokeres will see the Swedish forward eventually sign for Man Utd.Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “This guy, Viktor Gyokeres, he’s scoring goals for fun right now.”So I think there’s a special connection with the coach, so maybe we are probably going to see him in a United shirt at some point.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSViktor Gyokeres’ career statsClub appearances: 296Club goals: 139International caps: 24International goals: 10Honours: Swedish second division, Primeira LigaWhen asked whether he would be happy with the Gyokeres transfer, Berbatov added: “From what he’s showing right now, I think yes.”Our strikers at the moment are not doing and producing goals, like we see with them 18th in the league for scoring goals, which is embarrassing for a club of the stature of United.New Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim in awkward interview with reporter “This is a position that I’d like to see improvement.”Gyokeres, who is being linked with a move to Barcelona, has already addressed rumours of him joining Amorim in Manchester.He said: “Going with Amorim to Man Utd? I don’t know, I’m here. I really like being here, it’s not something I think about.”I’m enjoying it here. I’m sad about him leaving. We wish him all the best.” More

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      Xabi Alonso breaks silence on why he ruled himself out of Liverpool job after Jurgen Klopp quit

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      XABI ALONSO has broken his silence on why he ruled himself out of the Liverpool job at the end of last season.Ex-Reds midfielder Alonso, 42, was the obvious candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp after the German confirmed he was leaving.Xabi Alonso has spoken about why he did not take the Liverpool jobCredit: PAArne Slot ended up replacing Jurgen Klopp in the summerCredit: GettyAlonso guided Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title last season without losing a game.They also won the DFB Pokal and reached the Europa League final.But Alonso then surprisingly announced he was going to stay at Leverkusen, removing any chance of him succeeding Klopp.Now he has opened up about why that was the case when he was asked whether he ever seriously considered the job at Anfield.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTo which he replied: “At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the players and we were really focused on that.”Arne Slot ended up replacing Klopp and will come up against Alonso on Tuesday night when Liverpool host Leverkusen in the Champions League.In the build-up to the game, Alonso, who is also being linked with Real Madrid, was quizzed on whether he could join Liverpool in the future.He said: “Let’s talk about the game tomorrow, it’s more interesting than my future.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Let’s talk about the great players on both sides, that is what is in my head.”For us it is a big challenge to come here. Liverpool at the moment is one of the best if not the best in Europe, they are showing that in a very strong Premier League and the Champions League.Roy Keane fumes Man Utd ‘wouldn’t have tolerated’ Xabi Alonso’s behaviour”It’s a good squad, good coach. At Anfield, it’s a big challenge. We’re looking forward to it, let’s see what happens.”Slot has made a sensational start to life as Liverpool boss, winning eight of his opening 10 Premier League games as they sit two points clear at the top of the table.Leverkusen are struggling in fourth in the Bundesliga, seven points adrift of Bayern Munich.But they have picked up seven points from three Champions League matches, including wins over Feyenoord and AC Milan. More