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      Chelsea confirm transfer of David Datro Fofana with Molde striker linking up with Graham Potter’s men in January

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      CHELSEA have confirmed the signing of David Datro Fofana from Molde in a £10.5million deal.The Blues have been eager to strengthen their forward line, particularly after the devastating, season-ending injury suffered by Armando Broja.
      David Datro Fofana will join Chelsea on January 1Credit: Getty
      Confirming their latest signing, an official club statement read: “Chelsea FC has reached a pre-agreement with Molde FK for the transfer of David Datro Fofana.
      “The 20-year-old striker will join the Blues on 1 January 2023. We look forward to welcoming David to the club!”
      Chelsea’s latest transfer takes their total spend since Todd Boehly’s arrival as owner well above the £250million mark.
      The 20-year-old follows the likes of namesake Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella, Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Carney Chukwuemeka in joining the Boehly revolution.
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      And he is Chelsea’s first signing since the sacking of Thomas Tuchel and appointment of Graham Potter.
      Fofana has been enjoying a prolific season in Norway, scoring 17 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions.
      He joined Molde from Ivorian academy AFAD in February 2021, quickly becoming a star man for his new club.
      Fofana scored 24 goals and assisted a further 10 in 65 total outings for the Norwegian top flight outfit.
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      Molde have a rich pedigree of producing world class strikers, having previously boasted both Erling Haaland and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer among their ranks.
      Fofana primarily plays up front, but has filled in on the right wing on occasion.
      Despite his youth, he has already earned two senior caps for Ivory Coast.
      Chelsea have a rich pedigree of Ivorian stars, with Didier Drogba arguably their greatest ever forward.
      They also had Salomon Kalou on their books for six years, with both he and Drogba helping the Blues to their first ever Champions League success.
      Fofana already has some continental experience himself, having played regularly in the Europa Conference League for Molde.
      The young forward has already been prolific for MoldeCredit: Getty More

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      Man Utd ‘identify Alvaro Morata as Cristiano Ronaldo transfer replacement and could launch January bid for Atletico ace’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly identified Alvaro Morata as a short-term replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.The Red Devils are on the lookout for a new attacker after missing out on Cody Gakpo.
      Manchester United could make a loan swoop for Alvaro MorataCredit: Getty
      Boss Erik ten Hag was left frustrated as bitter rivals Liverpool swooped in to steal the Dutchman away from Old Trafford.
      But he remains hopeful a Ronaldo replacement can be found in January, according to ESPN.
      However, summer spending means United’s budget in January is restricted.
      As a result the club are eyeing short-term loan deals until the end of the campaign.
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      And former Chelsea ace Morata, 30, is one potential option.
      Morata’s Atletico Madrid team-mate Joao Felix is also available.
      However, the Spaniards are said to be demanding a hefty loan fee and all of his wages to be paid, which would cost United £19million in total.
      Felix has also been linked with a switch to Chelsea.
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      That could see United swoop for Morata, who has scored five goals in 14 La Liga games this season.
      He also netted three goals in four games for Spain at the World Cup.
      United boss Ten Hag said after the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday that the Red Devils remain on the lookout for a striker.
      He revealed: “I think we are always in the market but it has to match the sporting criteria and also the financial criteria.” More

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      Real Madrid ‘step up Jude Bellingham transfer chase’ amid competition from Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City

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      REAL MADRID are set to accelerate their move for Jude Bellingham, according to reports in Spain.The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is wanted by elite clubs all over Europe, having impressed for England at the World Cup.
      Jude Bellingham impressed for England at the World CupCredit: PA
      Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are all jostling for the teenage sensation.
      But Madrid want to muscle their way to the front of the queue.
      According to this morning’s edition of Marca, the LaLiga champions are set to move quickly to sign the former Birmingham City prodigy.
      They ran with the front page headline: “Acceleration for Bellingham”.
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      A previous report from the Madrid-based paper claimed that Real asked the 19-year-old not to extend his Dortmund contract in a bid to make a move easier.
      Bellingham’s current deal with the Bundesliga club runs until 2025.
      And it reportedly contains a previously unknown £60million release clause – which could be particularly bad news for Chelsea.
      The Blues are willing to splash whatever it takes to sign Bellingham, even if the fee is north of £100m.
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      Marca claim Real Madrid are about ‘accelerate’ their pursuit of Bellingham
      But a £60m fee brings other suitors with less deep pockets back into the race.
      Bellingham is claimed in some quarters to favour a move to Liverpool – having already built up strong relationships with England team-mates Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson.
      The midfielder is the Reds’ No1 target, after they sealed a £37m deal to sign Cody Gakpo from PSV earlier this week.
      Since England’s elimination from the World Cup, Bellingham has been enjoying some downtime back in Blighty.
      He made an emotional return to St Andrew’s to watch his beloved Birmingham City and say a proper goodbye to their fans.
      While he also visited Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.
      Bellingham, 19, was most recently spotted at Turf Moor watching his brother Jobe in action for Birmingham against Burnley last night.
      Jude Bellingham has three league goals for Dortmund this season
      Bellingham, 19, recently returned to St Andrew’sCredit: PA More

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      Arsenal and Man Utd fans in hilarious transfer tug-of-war over Rafael Leao as they keep changing star’s Wikipedia

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      RAFAEL LEAO is at the centre of a hilarious transfer tug-of-war between Manchester United, Arsenal, Coventry City and non-league FC Clacton… according to Wikipedia.The AC Milan winger, 23, has attracted plenty of transfer attention from the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and the Red Devils.
      Rafael Leao could be on his way to the Premier League very soonCredit: Getty
      The AC Milan ace had his name and club edited on WikipediaCredit: Wikipedia
      The hacker suggest Leao now plays for Coventry CityCredit: Wikipedia
      And according to one cheeky fan, a secret transfer was sealed to take Leao to Old Trafford this morning.
      The prankster managed to edit the Portugal star’s Wikipedia page to say he had joined United in 2022 but is yet to make an appearance for his new club.
      However, they made a slight error by suggesting he made the switch in 2022 – because the transfer window does not open until January 1, 2023.
      The page was quickly corrected back to restoring Leao as an AC Milan, much to the delight of the San Siro faithful.
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      But that was by no means the end of the drama as his page was still edited to add Leao’s nickname as Betinho.
      That came after his compatriot and third-tier player was somehow named on the Premier League website in the United squad as their new No11.
      The blunder caused much hilarity of social media – and even Betinho saw the funny side as he joined in with the fun.
      And in a further twist, the hacker managed to change Leao’s employers to crisis-club Coventry with a superb return of nine goals in just six Championship matches.
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      Leao also had very brief stints with Arsenal, Nepali side Manang Marsyangdi Club, Exeter City and even Essex Senior League side FC Clacton as the brilliant battle raged on for the £86million-rated star.
      Leao, though, remains at AC Milan for now.
      Reports suggest City may be willing to offer Jack Grealish in a swap transfer to land the former Lille ace.
      However, the 27-year-old’s £300,000-per-week Etihad wages may well put Milan off.
      Leao is focused on his return to action with Milan on January 4 – but admitted he may well be open to a switch and has been enjoying watching Arsenal a lot this term.
      Asked about a possible transfer to a new league, the ex-Lille ace said: “Yes, in the future.
      “But now, I’m 100 per cent focused on Milan.
      “I’m at a top club and I’m under contract. I also like the city.
      “I’ve seen a lot of games this year, I like Arsenal, I think they play very well.”
      AC Milan chief executive Paulo Maldini is confident his club do not have to sell from a financial perspective – but admitted every player has a price tag.
      The former defender said on Leao: “He is a player of the highest level.
      “But not only him, also others have received offers.
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      “If they show up anyway we have to see how to do it even if we don’t need to sell, our financial accounts are okay.
      “But the players that cannot be sold now no longer exist.”
      The winger made the shock move from Serie A to the Essex Senior League
      Manang Marsyangdi and Exeter are among Leao’s list of clubs More

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      Chris Smalling ‘given contract ultimatum by Roma’ as ex-Man Utd star linked with transfer bids from Juventus and Inter

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      CHRIS SMALLING has been offered a two-year contract extension by Roma, according to reports.The former Manchester United defender joined the Italian outfit, initially on loan, from the Red Devils in 2019.
      Chris Smalling has been offered a new contract by RomaCredit: Getty
      He has excelled in Serie A, becoming a key man at the back for the Italian side.
      Smalling, 33, is set to be out of contract at the end of the current campaign.
      Roma want to keep the experienced centre-back at the club – but without giving him a pay rise.
      According to Corriere dello Sport, Smalling has been offered a two-year contract on the same terms that he’s on now.
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      He is claimed to have been offered around £3million-a-year for two seasons – with the former England international wanting a rise to £3.5m.
      An extra year on his current terms appears likely to be triggered, with a clause stipulating that his deal will be automatically extended if he plays in 50 per cent of Roma’s matches this season.
      He has featured in every match thus far both in Serie A and the Europa League.
      Despite Roma’s reluctance to raise his salary, Smalling isn’t short of interest from elsewhere.
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      Reports earlier this month claimed that Inter Milan and Juventus were both keen on a move for Smalling.
      While Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the veteran defender.
      Roma have underwhelmed in Italy so far this season and sit in seventh place in the league table.
      They have more Europa League football to look forward to in the second half of the campaign, having drawn RB Salzburg in the next round.
      The Serie A side won the inaugural Europa Conference League last term.
      Smalling, 33, has performed well in ItalyCredit: AP More

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      Man City ‘prepared to offer Jack Grealish in sensational transfer swap deal for AC Milan star Rafael Leao’

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      MANCHESTER CITY are considering offering Jack Grealish in a sensational swap deal with Rafael Leao, according to shock reports. The Etihad club would be keen to bring in the AC Milan and Portugal winger as they battle Chelsea and Arsenal for his signature.
      Rafael Leao could be on his way to the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
      Jack Grealish has struggled to make his mark at Manchester CityCredit: Getty
      But according to Calciomercatoweb, they may offer their record signing to help seal the deal.
      However, it is unclear if Milan would be open to an exchange as they have concerns over Grealish’s age and his whopping £300,000-a-week wages.
      The 27-year-old – who did a shift as an Amazon driver for a Christmas promo – has struggled to find his Prime form since his £100million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021.
      He has delivered just seven goals and four assists in 56 games so far under Pep Guardiola – including just one goal and zero assists this term.
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      And it is thought the City manager may be willing to let the England star go to bring in Leao, who has just 18 months left on his San Siro contract.
      Leao, 23, is attracting plenty of interest with his strong performances on the left wing over the last three years.
      This term, the wide man has seven goals and nine assists in 20 appearances.
      And he starred in his cameos at the World Cup with goals in the wins over Ghana and Switzerland as Portugal reached the quarter-finals.
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      Leao is focused on his return to action with Milan on January 4 – but admitted he may well be open to a switch and has been enjoying watching Arsenal a lot this term.
      Asked about a possible transfer to a new league, the ex-Lille ace said: “Yes, in the future.
      “But now, I’m 100 per cent focused on Milan.
      “I’m at a top club and I’m under contract. I also like the city.
      “I’ve seen a lot of games this year, I like Arsenal, I think they play very well.”
      AC Milan chief executive Paulo Maldini is confident his club do not have to sell from a financial perspective – but admitted every player has a price tag.
      The former defender said on Leao: “He is a player of the highest level.
      “But not only him, also others have received offers.
      “If they show up anyway we have to see how to do it even if we don’t need to sell, our financial accounts are okay.
      “But the players that cannot be sold now no longer exist.”
      City are also very hopeful of signing Jude Bellingham next year.
      Read More on The Sun
      The Borussia Dortmund ace, 19, is a top transfer priority for City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
      But as revealed by SunSport, the reigning Premier League champions are confident the midfielder will snub a move to Anfield or the Bernabeu to play under Guardiola. More

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      Erik ten Hag breaks silence on Cody Gakpo transfer snub and admits Man Utd ‘need numbers’ in huge January window hint

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      ERIK TEN HAG has admitted that Manchester United “need numbers” after his side missed out on Cody Gakpo.The Red Devils were strongly linked with the Dutchman for much of last summer.
      Erik ten Hag wants his side to sign a forward in JanuaryCredit: AFP
      They opted to prioritise a move for Antony, however, but were expected to return for Gakpo in January.
      The Dutch World Cup star was understood to be keen to move to Old Trafford from current club PSV.
      But United have now missed out on the talented attacker, who will join Liverpool instead.
      The Reds opted to fork out £37m to sign Gakpo in the wake of Luis Diaz’s serious injury, and having lost Sadio Mane last summer.
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      United, meanwhile, will return to the drawing board – having axed Cristiano Ronaldo last month.
      Asked about his side’s failure to sign Gakpo while appearing on Amazon Prime Video after United beat Nottingham Forest 3-0, Ten Hag didn’t shy away from his desire for reinforcements.
      He said: “I don’t talk about individual cases.
      “We are looking for a striker, it would be good with so many games coming.
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      Cody Gakpo is now set to join Liverpool from PSVCredit: Getty
      “We want to stay in all the leagues we are playing in and you need numbers in the squad.”
      On his side’s hunt for a forward, the 52-year-old added: “We are always in the market but it has to match the sporting and financial criteria.”
      United fans fumed online after being beaten to Gakpo by their fierce rivals.
      And they could be set for even more disappointment when it comes to their club’s January transfer budget.
      According to the Mail, the Red Devils will have NO transfer funds to spend next month.
      This will leave them scrambling around the loan market for a Ronaldo replacement.
      In January 2020, the Red Devils recruited former Watford forward Odion Ighalo on a temporary deal from Shanghai Shenhua.
      And they could be looking for a similar profile of loan transfer this time around.
      Man United signed Odion Ighalo on loan in January 2020Credit: PA More

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      Chelsea ‘meet Enzo Fernandez’s Benfica release clause’ as Blues staff ‘arrive in Lisbon to thrash out £105m transfer’

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      CHELSEA have tabled a bid worth in excess of Enzo Fernandez’s £105million release clause, according to reports.The Benfica starlet impressed at the World Cup in Qatar, helping Argentina win the competition for a third time.
      Benfica ace Enzo Fernandez is in high-demandCredit: Getty
      Fernandez’s performances earned him the tournament’s Best Young Player award – as well as a string of potential new suitors.
      Chelsea are reportedly attempting to jostle their way to the front of the queue, and are claimed to have made a huge offer.
      According to Portuguese outlet CM, Blues representatives have travelled to the Iberian country to try and thrash out a £105m deal.
      They add that, while Chelsea are willing to stump up the cash, they will face plenty of competition to secure Fernandez’s signature.
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      Newcastle, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been linked with the midfielder.
      Fernandez’s chief representative is renowned super-agent Jorge Mendes.
      The 56-year-old is claimed to have shopped his client’s availability around Europe’s top clubs.
      But Fernandez himself may opt to STAY at Benfica until the end of the season.
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      He is contracted to the Lisbon club until 2027.
      Portuguese paper Record sensationally claim that Fernandez feels that he can win the Champions League with Benfica this season.
      They have been drawn to play Belgian side Club Brugge in the round of 16.
      Fernandez has made 24 club appearances in all competitions this term, scoring three goals and laying on five assists.
      Fernandez, 21, won the Best Young Player award at the World CupCredit: Getty More