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    Cristiano Ronaldo wants transfer from Man Utd in January and Ten Hag ‘will not stand in his way’ after benching legend

    CRISTIANO RONALDO reportedly wants to leave Manchester United in January and Erik ten Hag “will not stand in his way”.The Portuguese legend was left on the bench for Sunday’s dismal 6-3 thrashing at Manchester City – something the boss says he did “out of respect for his big career”.
    Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly wants to leave Man Utd in JanuaryCredit: Rex
    Boss Erik ten Hag will allegedly not stand in his way once the window opensCredit: Rex
    Ronaldo looked a frustrated figure as he watched from the dug-out and The Telegraph now claims that he is “hoping to get a move in January” after his failed attempt to leave over the summer.
    Ten Hag wanted to keep the 37-year-old Portuguese forward at Old Trafford upon his arrival.
    However, this report now states that he is “open to letting” him go if an acceptable offer comes in.
    The veteran has been largely consigned to the substitutes bench this season following his controversial summer.

    After failing to secure his exit, Ronaldo returned late to pre-season training.
    That led to him being benched for the opening day defeat to Brighton.
    He was back in the starting XI the following week, but he and his team-mates were left humiliated as they were thrashed 4-0 at Brentford.
    Ronaldo was then pushed back to the bench, and that coincided with United going on a four-game winning run in the top-flight.
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    He did, however, get another opportunity in the Europa League but he drew a blank as the Red Devils were beaten at home by Real Sociedad.
    But a week later the superstar was celebrating as he finally got off the mark for the season by scoring a penalty in the 2-0 win at Sheriff in the same competition on September 15 – which was his last outing for the club.
    Now his chances of getting more regular action appear to be even more slim after Anthony Martial, who came on instead of him, returned from injury to score twice against City. More

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    Liverpool ‘send scout who recommended Luis Diaz to follow Chicago Fire wonderkid Jhon Duran amid £10m transfer interest’

    LIVERPOOL have reportedly sent the same scout who discovered Luis Diaz to watch Chicago Fire’s teenage sensation Jhon Duran.SunSport exclusively revealed on Saturday that the Reds were lining up a move for the 18-year-old Colombian wonderkid.
    Liverpool have sent a scout to watch Chicago Fire ace Jhon DuranCredit: Getty
    The Reds have sent the same person who recommended Luis DiazCredit: Getty
    And now reports suggest the Reds have had someone keeping a keen eye on Duran.
    Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra claims Liverpool have sent the same scout who followed Diaz when he was at Porto to go and watch Duran.
    The scout in question clearly has good judgement, with Diaz turning out to be a brilliant buy for the Reds.
    The forward hit the ground running as soon as he arrived at Anfield earlier this year in a deal worth up to £50m.
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    Meanwhile Duran, who plays up front, has scored eight goals and provided six assists in 27 games for Chicago Fire after signing from Colombian side Envigado in January.
    But the MLS outfit could be willing to let Duran move on already for the right money.
    A fee of around £10million plus extras may be enough to seal a deal, while Sierra claims £8.5m could even be enough for his signature.
    Fire sold keeper Gabriel Slonina, also 18, to Chelsea for a similar price over the summer.
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    The Blues are also keeping tabs on Duran, as are clubs all over Europe.
    French outfit Lille, German side Eintracht Frankfurt, and Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven are all reported to be keen.
    Duran made his senior Colombia debut last week, featuring alongside Anfield star Diaz in the friendly wins over Guatemala and Mexico. More

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    Chelsea ‘ahead of everyone’ in Rafael Leao transfer race, but AC Milan ace ‘will not be sold for less than £87m’

    CHELSEA are leading the race to sign AC Milan star Rafael Leao, according to reports.Leao is being monitored by a number of top clubs as he enjoys yet another fantastic season in Serie A.
    Chelsea may have to break the bank to sign Rafael Leao but are winning the race for himCredit: Splash
    Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera report that Chelsea are “ahead of everyone” in the battle for the winger’s signature.
    But the 23-year-old won’t come cheap with AC Milan not willing to accept any bid under £87million.
    The Portuguese international’s contract expires in 2024 with the Italian giants keen to tie him down to a new long-term contract.
    Reports suggest that there was plenty of bids for Leao in the summer, with at least one from Chelsea, but a deal didn’t materialise.
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    He has been on fire for the Rossoneri this season scoring four times and assisting a further seven in nine Serie A and Champions League matches.
    This continues his excellent form from last season where he helped Stefano Pioli’s side win the Serie A title with 11 goals and ten assists in the league.
    Leao will have the chance to impress his potential new club this week as AC Milan travel to Stamford Bridge for a Champions League group stage game.
    The tie is a must win match for the West Londoners claims Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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    Chelsea seem to already have a deal wrapped up for RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku as Todd Boehly appears ready to splash the cash yet again.
    Manager Graham Potter is reportedly set to overhaul the squad with the Blues rumoured to be keen on Gabriel Martinelli and Dusan Vlahovic too.
    There are doubts over the futures of wingers Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech potentially opening up room for the signing of Leao. More

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    Liverpool ‘join Arsenal in Youri Tielemans transfer race’ with Leicester midfielder’s contract expiring in summer

    LIVERPOOL want to sign Youri Tielemans in the next transfer window, according to sources. Arsenal will be joined by the Merseyside team as they race to land the 25-year-old, according to calciomercato,
    Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up a winter swoop for TielemansCredit: Getty
    The Belgian international’s contract expires in the summer of 2023 and Leicester may look to cash in before he leaves on a free.
    Tielemans looks unlikely to pen an extension so he will be free to negotiate free agency with any clubs outside of England from January 1.
    Juventus and Real Madrid are said to be looking forward to that date.
    But it’s Prem rivals Arsenal and Manchester United who are expected to be Liverpool’s biggest competition to secure a January cut-price deal.
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    The Gunners have reportedly been working on a deal for Tielemans over the past year, but no official offer has been made yet.
    Mikel Arteta may be tempted to pull the trigger on a bid if the Belgian is available for a cut-price fee.
    He has previously indicated that he wants to leave Leicester for a team competing in the Champions League.
    However, one report claimed that Youri Tielemans is the “chosen one” for Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
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    Meanwhile the 2015-16 Prem champions lost Wesley Fofana to Chelsea last month, while stalwart Kasper Schmeichel left for Nice.
    Brendan Rodgers’ side sit bottom of the Premier League after picking up just one point from their opening seven games.
    They face Nottingham Forest on Monday night. More

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    Barcelona’s unrecognisable XI from last visit to Inter Milan three years ago, with NO players remaining in Xavi’s squad

    BARCELONA travel to Inter Milan in a blockbuster Champions League clash on Tuesday night.The Catalan giants have kicked off their European campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich and a 5-1 win over Viktoria Plzen.
    Griezmann is still contracted to Barcelona but on loan at Atletico MadridCredit: AFP
    How Barcelona lined up the last time they faced Inter Milan at the San Siro
    Rakitic left Barcelona for Sevilla at the end of the 2019/20 campaignCredit: Reuters
    Inter have also lost to Bayern and beaten Plzen, so the clash at the San Siro promises to be a pivotal one when it comes to both sides’ Champions League hopes.
    It is three years since these two European giants faced off, with Barcelona going through a huge squad rejuvenation in that time.
    Despite their financial crisis, players have continued to move in and out of the Nou Camp at a frightening pace.
    And SunSport have identified that ALL 11 players who started away at Inter Milan in December 2019 are no longer at the club.
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    In goal was Brazilian keeper Neto – who is now plying his trade at Bournemouth.
    The back three consisted of Clement Lenglet, Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo.
    Todibo joined Nice last year, while Umtiti and Lenglet are out on loan at Lecce and Tottenham respectively.
    Left wingback Junior Firpo is now at Leeds, while right wingback Moussa Wague joined Croatian side Gorica in the summer.
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    Ivan Rakitic is now at Sevilla after leaving Barcelona in 2020.
    Arturo Vidal and Carles Alena are also no longer with the Spanish giants following transfers to Flamengo and Getafe.
    Then up front, Barcelona played the pair of Antoine Griezmann and Carles Perez.
    Griezmann has since gone back to Atletico Madrid on loan, while Perez joined Celta Vigo, before being loaned to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
    That Barcelona team did get the job done in 2019 as they beat Inter Milan 2-1 at the San Siro.
    In fact, Inter have not beaten Barca in any of their previous five meetings – a run which stretches back to the 2009/10 Champions League semi-finals.
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    On that occasion, Inter won the first leg 3-1 before losing the return fixture 1-0 – a result which was enough to see them progress through to the final.
    The Italian giants then went on to beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the final and lift the trophy for a third time. More

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    Chelsea ‘agree £52.7m transfer deal for RB Leipzig star Christopher Nkunku’ with player set to join next season

    CHELSEA have reportedly agreed a deal for RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku.The Blues brought attacking reinforcements in during the summer including Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
    Nkunku is set to join Chelsea in the summer after the Blues triggered his release clauseCredit: AP
    But new owner Todd Boehly seems keen to add even more players following the change of manager – with Thomas Tuchel replaced by Graham Potter.
    And according to The Athletic, Chelsea are now set to seal the transfer of Nkunku after activating his £52.7m release clause – with the player having signed a pre-contract agreement.
    The move is expected to see him remain at Leipzig until the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
    This is because his release clause does not become active until the summer.
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    But Chelsea are spending a bigger fee in advance to secure his services before other clubs can hijack the deal.
    Nkunku has contributed 55 goals and 48 assists in 148 games for Leipzig.
    He joined the German side in 2019 after coming through the ranks at Paris Saint-Germain.
    The attacker has also received eight caps for France following his debut back in March.
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    And he looks set to be included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the upcoming Qatar World Cup.
    It is believed that Chelsea beat a number of English clubs to Nkunku’s signature.
    Back in June, he was linked with a move to Manchester United as well as a return to PSG.
    When quizzed on the interest, he told Telefoot: “It’s no secret. There are clubs interested in me. 
    “Yes it’s flattering, but it’s also flattering to have a club like Leipzig do everything to keep me as well.
    “I’ll have to reflect and make a decision. The World Cup is on the way and that’s another factor to take into account.”
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    Meanwhile, Chelsea have had a difficult start to the season, winning just three of their opening six Premier League matches.
    But they began to turn things around on Saturday as new head coach Potter clinched a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in his first league game in charge. More

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    Roy Keane reveals Cristiano Ronaldo had FIVE transfer options this summer as he slams Man Utd for not letting icon leave

    ROY KEANE has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo had “four or five” decent transfer options this summer.The ex-midfielder, 51, blasted Erik ten Hag for the lack of respect shown to the superstar, having committed to the cause.
    Keane said ‘for a fact’ Ronaldo had options to leave this summerCredit: Getty
    The 37-year-old was left on the bench in the 6-3 thumping at rivals Man CityCredit: Rex
    The Portugal captain, 37, was supposedly desperate to leave Manchester United this summer and play in the Champions League.
    But he stayed, despite having had a few “very good” options, according to the former Old Trafford legend.
    Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane explained: “United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo.
    “I think he should have been let go this summer during the transfer window. I don’t think the manager should have held onto him just for him to sit on the bench.
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    “He is one of the greatest players ever and he had options to leave this summer.
    “The idea that he had no options is rubbish. He had four or five very good options.
    “United have shown nothing but disrespect to Ronaldo and they should have let him go when the opportunity came.
    “I know for a fact he had options to go, and holding on for him to sit on the bench is ridiculous for a player of his stature.
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    “If you look at his goals record, he had as good a chance as anyone as putting the ball in the net.
    “People are obsessed with the pressing side of the game but if you put the ball in the right areas, he will score goals.”
    Ronaldo was heavily linked with Chelsea but the Blues, along with the likes of Bayern Munich, ruled themselves out of a shock move.
    Atletico Madrid were said to have pulled out after a fan backlash over the ex-Real striker.
    His agent Jorge Mendes had been searching for a new club all summer — without success.
    But Irishman Keane thinks it’s now time to forgive and forget.
    The 37-year-old Ron didn’t play a single minute as the Red Devils were stuffed 6-3 by their local rivals Manchester City.
    They were thrashed by the Premier League champions at the Etihad as Phil Foden and Erling Haaland both scored hat-tricks in a one-sided mauling.
    Ronaldo started the match on the bench for the fifth league match in a row.
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    And he did not even see any game time in the closing stages – one of just four substitutes Ten Hag chose not to use.
    Following United’s two defeats at the start of the campaign, Ten Hag has gone with Marcus Rashford as the central striker, with Ronaldo’s only two starts coming in the Europa League. More

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    Roy Keane blasts Man Utd for showing ‘disrespect’ to Cristiano Ronaldo and says Red Devils should have let him leave

    ROY KEANE has slammed Manchester United for “disrespecting” Cristiano Ronaldo after he was left on the bench throughout the 6-3 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.The Red Devils were thrashed by the Premier League champions at the Etihad as Phil Foden and Erling Haaland both scored hat-tricks in a one-sided mauling.
    Ronaldo played no part in the Manchester derby at the weekendCredit: Reuters
    Keane feels Man Utd mistreated Ronaldo by not using him against Man City on SundayCredit: Getty
    Ronaldo started the match on the bench for the fifth league match in a row.
    And he did not even see any game time in the closing stages – one of just four substitutes Erik ten Hag chose not to use.
    It is a move Man Utd icon Keane sees as inexcusable given Ronaldo’s status as a legend of the game.
    Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “I think Man United are showing disrespect to Ronaldo. I think he should have been let go before the [closing] of the window.
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    “Okay, you’re the manager, you need options but you don’t hold onto Ronaldo to sit on the bench. He’s one of the greatest players ever.
    “He’s played him in one or two European games. It’s just going to get uglier as the season goes on. 
    “If he’s sitting on the bench for United, week in, week out it’s just going to get uglier. I think United have shown nothing but disrespect to Ronaldo.
    “They should have let him go when the opportunity came. He did have options, I know that for a fact. 
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    ‘But to hold onto Ronaldo to sit on the bench, I think is ridiculous for a player of his stature.”
    He then added: “So what if you’re 4-0 down. You look at his goal record, as good a chance of anyone of putting it in the back of the net.
    “People are obsessed with the pressing side of the game. You put the balls in the right areas, he’ll score goals.”
    Ten Hag opted to bring Anthony Martial on instead of Ronaldo for the final half an hour with the score at 4-1.
    And the Frenchman did bag two late goals to add some level of respectability to proceedings, albeit when the result had already been decided.
    When asked about bringing on Martial instead of Ronaldo, Ten Hag insisted he did it “out of respect” for the Portuguese superstar’s career.
    He then added: “The other thing was the advantage I could bring Martial, he needs the minutes but I don’t want to point it out like that.”
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    Ronaldo, who was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the summer, has scored just one goal in eight appearances so far this season.
    Following United’s two defeats at the start of the campaign, Ten Hag has gone with Marcus Rashford as the central striker, with Ronaldo’s only two starts coming in the Europa League. More