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    Man Utd ‘consider shock Olivier Giroud transfer bid’ as they eye ex-Arsenal and Chelsea ace to replace Cristiano Ronaldo

    OLIVIER GIROUD is a shock transfer target for Manchester United, according to reports. Man Utd are on the look out for more firepower in the January transfer window, but have a specific criteria of player they are after in both a sporting and financial sense.
    Olivier Giroud has emerged as a shock transfer target for Manchester UnitedCredit: Getty
    And with the club weighing up a deal for Joao Felix, Giroud has emerged as an alternative option for Erik ten Hag.
    According to The Times, the fitness struggles of Anthony Martial and the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo – who arrived in Saudi Arabia for his Al Nassr transfer last night – have led them to consider the ex-Chelsea and Arsenal ace.
    However, the 36-year-old is expecting to be offered a new deal at AC Milan when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
    On the club’s striker issues, Ten Hag said: “I think we have a good team when all the players are available.
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    “But with many games coming up, I think there is a need.
    “But you need one who can have an impact, otherwise you are just burning money and you don’t strengthen the squad and it doesn’t help you.”
    Utd have scored 24 league goals this season, a figure which sees them rank 10th in the Premier League for the metric.
    A rejuvenated Marcus Rashford has shouldered the majority of the burden this season with 11 goals in all competitions.
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    However, Martial, who plays through the middle, has started just four times in the league and six times overall.
    United are in desperate need of a more robust forward who fits the criteria the club are searching for.
    After missing out on a transfer for Cody Gakpo, Atletico Madrid’s Felix appears to be the main target, but the £18.5m cost of a loan deal is a stumbling block.
    This means Giroud, who scored four goals at the World Cup, could be in line for a surprise transfer.
    In addition, Ten Hag has revealed he has “reservations” about recalling in-form winger Amad Diallo from his loan at Sunderland.
    The 20-year-old has scored six goals in 20 games for the Black Cats, and despite his squad’s issues Ten Hag wants Diallo to continue his progress.
    He said: “We consider everything but I have a little bit of reservation about that because I don’t want to stop the process.
    “He has made really good progress there so I’m happy with that.
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    “But young players need experiences and when we decide for him to come back, he has to be a player who can compete for the starting XI or minimum to come on for a lot of games and make an impact.”
    Ten Hag has welcomed Jadon Sancho back to United ahead of the clash against Bournemouth tonight, but he remains some way off selection consideration. More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo repeats infamous World Cup wink 17 years after England clash as he arrives for Al-Nassr unveiling

    CRISTIANO RONALDO flashed fans his famous wink as he arrived in Riyadh ahead of his official Al-Nassr unveiling.The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, 37, became the highest-paid sportsperson of all time when he signed a lucrative £173million-a-year deal with the Saudi Pro League club on Friday.
    Ronaldo winked at fans after arriving in RiyadhCredit: Twitter
    The winger will be unveiled as an Al-Nassr player on TuesdayCredit: EPA
    Ronaldo angered England fans with a wink at the 2006 World CupCredit: BBC
    And he is now preparing for his official unveiling at Mrsool Park, which is due to take place on Tuesday afternoon.
    Upon his arrival at the King Khalid International Airport on Monday, Ronaldo was greeted by a group of adoring Al-Nassr fans, with many eager to offer him bouquets of yellow and blue flowers.
    The Portugal skipper was thrilled with the reception and appeared to show his appreciation by winking at the supporters.
    Al-Nassr posted an image of Ronaldo winking on Twitter with a caption which read: “GOAT’s wink.”
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    Ronaldo angered England fans when his protests led to Wayne Rooney being sent off during the 2006 World Cup quarter-final in Germany.
    Following the shock red card, the then-21-year-old winked at his teammates, sparking fury from the Three Lions.
    Despite the initial frustration, Rooney recently revealed that the incident actually brought him and Ronaldo closer during that period at Manchester United.
    The duo spent five years together at Old Trafford before Ronaldo left for Real Madrid in 2009.
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    He went on to play for the La Liga giants for nine years before joining Juventus.
    The attacker then re-signed for Man Utd in 2021, but he fell out of favour at Old Trafford last summer.
    His contract was sensationally ripped up in November following a bombshell interview with SunSport columnist Piers Morgan. More

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    Brighton to extend Leandro Trossard’s contract to 2024 in order to stave off Chelsea and Newcastle transfer interest

    BRIGHTON are set to extend Leandro Trossard’s contract to prevent a potential transfer to Newcastle or Chelsea.The Belgian sees his deal at the Seagulls expire at the end of this season.
    Brighton look set to trigger the option for a one-year extension in Leandro Trossard’s contractCredit: Reuters
    Brighton do not want to lose their main man for free, they therefore will trigger the one-year extension option in his contract, claim talkSPORT.
    This would tie him down to the end of the 2023/24 season with Roberto De Zerbi’s side then keen to make him put pen to paper on a new and improved long-term deal.
    Trossard has impressed for Brighton ever since his arrival from Genk in 2019.
    The 28-year-old has started every game they have had in the league this season, scoring seven times and assisting a further three.
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    His versatility has proved key as Trossard is comfortable playing as a striker, left-winger or attacking midfielder.
    The likes of Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester United have been linked with moves for him.
    Graham Potter managed him during his time at Brighton and is reportedly interested in raiding his former club.
    The Blues were supposedly eyeing a £30million switch for the talented international.
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    On a potential transfer, Trossard said back in September to Het Niuewsblad: “Our coach did leave for Chelsea but speculations about me following him make no sense.
    “If the opportunity arises, I want to go. But I want to play and not sit on the bench.”
    The Toon have also been rumoured to be interested and could be more likely to give him the first-team spot he wants. More

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    ‘Very good player but bloody hell’ – Gary Neville left stunned as Chelsea fork out record Enzo Fernandez transfer fee

    GARY NEVILLE admits he’s been left stunned by Chelsea’s decision to sign Enzo Fernandez.That’s because the Blues are ready to spend a record £112million on the World Cup winner this month.
    Chelsea are set to sign Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez for £112mCredit: Getty
    Gary Neville can’t believe the Blues are set to spend so much on the World Cup winnerCredit: Getty
    Fernandez, 21, played a key role in Argentina’s triumph at Qatar 2022 last month, scooping the Best Young Player award.
    And just six months after joining Benfica from River Plate for around £15m, Fernandez is now set for a stunning Premier League switch.
    Ambitious Chelsea are ready to smash Jack Grealish’s £100m Man City move by spending £112m on the midfielder.
    Todd Boehly wants to build a squad of top youngsters at Stamford Bridge.
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    And Fernandez will be the focal point of Graham Potter’s side for years to come.
    But one man who has his doubts over the move is Man United legend Neville.
    He believes that Fernandez is undoubtedly a top player, having enjoyed success at club and international level.
    However, Neville reckon Chelsea are paying “one hell of a price” to get a deal over the line, and finished his thought with a simple: “Bloody hell!”
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    Neville tweeted: “Are Chelsea paying €127m for Enzo Fernandez? That’s one hell of a price. A very good player but bloody hell!”
    Fernandez isn’t the only player set to join Chelsea shortly, with Monaco centre-back Benoit Badiashile on the verge of a £33m switch.

    Vasco’s Brazilian winger Andrey Santos has also agreed an £18m deal.
    And Chelsea confirmed an £8m move for Molde striker David Datro Fofana last week. More

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    Barcelona ‘eye Wilfried Zaha free transfer as club seek cut price replacement for flops Ferran Torres and Raphinha’

    BARCELONA are reportedly interested in signing Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha on a free transfer.Zaha, 30, has been on top form so far this season, with six goals and two assists in 15 Premier League games for Crystal Palace.
    Barcelona are interested in signing ZahaCredit: PA
    However, his future at Selhurst Park is in serious doubt.
    The winger has just six months remaining on his current contract and he is yet to agree terms for a new deal.
    On New Year’s Day, he became free to negotiate a pre-contract with overseas clubs.
    And according to Fichajes, La Liga giants Barcelona are considering a swoop.
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    The cash-strapped Catalan giants are currently seeking a replacement for out-of-favour attacker Ferran Torres.
    Torres joined the club in a £55million transfer from Manchester City 12 months ago, but he has failed to impress Barca boss Xavi.

    The Spaniard has scored 12 goals in 45 appearances since joining Barcelona last winter, but he quickly fell down the pecking order at the club when Robert Lewandowski signed in the summer transfer window.
    Xavi is now hopeful that Torres will be sold for a reasonable fee this month.
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    Barcelona are seeking a replacement for TorresCredit: Getty
    Tottenham are reportedly interested in signing the striker as a back-up for Harry Kane.
    Fichajes claim that Spurs are willing to offer £31m for Torres.
    Arsenal and AC Milan are also known to be considering a move. More

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    Desperate Nottingham Forest aim to sell Emmanuel Dennis back to Watford with no other English club able to sign £15m dud

    DESPERATE Nottingham Forest are aiming to selling Emmanuel Dennis BACK to Watford.That’s because no other English club can sign the £15million flop this month.
    Nottingham Forest are ready to sell Emmanuel Dennis… with a Watford return possibleCredit: Getty
    Dennis, 25, joined newly-promoted Forest last summer after netting 10 Premier League goals with relegated Watford.
    However, the Nigeria international has managed just one goal in 10 games for his new side.
    And the Telegraph claims Steve Cooper is ready to axe Dennis as he seeks fresh arrivals.
    The Forest boss and other coaching staff were reportedly left “infuriated” after Dennis’ shoddy performance in last week’s defeat to Manchester United.
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    But there is one sticking point for Forest, as Dennis is unable to sign for another English side until the summer.
    Before his move to the City Ground, Dennis made two appearances for Watford in the Championship.

    Players in England cannot feature for more than two clubs in a season.
    And the only club available to Dennis in this country is Watford, who are yet to indicate whether they will bid for their former player.
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    It means Forest could look abroad for an exit, even though they may struggle to recoup Dennis’ £15m fee.
    However, his exit will help Cooper land a couple of targets, including a centre-back, a holding midfielder and a forward.
    Other players on the transfer list include Harry Arter, Cafu, Lyle Taylor and Loic Mbe Soh.
    Meanwhile, Josh Bowler is expected to return from his Olympiacos loan before rejoining Blackpool until the summer.
    Reflecting on potential January business after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, Cooper said: “If there’s things to help the club then we will do that. 
    “The summer was the summer. We have to look at where we’re at now. 
    “We’ve picked up some long-term injuries to some key players so if we can add players in the right positions then we will want to do that.
    “I’ll work day by day with the players coming through the training ground and trusting the club to get to work.
    “If we can add the right players in the right positions we want to do that.” More

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    Leeds sign Max Wober in £14m transfer for Salzburg defender as Marsch looks for reinforcements to avoid drop

    LEEDS have confirmed the signing of Max Wober from Red Bull Salzburg.The deal is subject to a work permit but the centre-back has become Leeds’ first January signing.
    Leeds have confirmed the signing of Max WoberCredit: Getty
    As a result he is unlikely to be registered in time for the visit of West Ham tomorrow but could be available for the FA Cup tie against Cardiff on Sunday.
    The centre-back, 24, has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Premier League strugglers.
    And it is believed Leeds paid £14million to seal his capture.
    Wober has worked with Jesse Marsch previously and was signed by the American when he was Salzburg manager.

    He made 125 appearances for the Austrian outfit and won the league three times in a row between 2019-2022.
    The defender, who can also play as a left-back, has had spells with Ajax and Sevilla.

    Wober adds international experience to the Leeds squad too and has 13 Austria caps under his belt.
    And he reportedly decided to join Leeds following a telephone conversation with Marsch just before Christmas.
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    Leeds could now turn their attention to other targets after reportedly enquiring about Everton’s Mason Holgate.
    They are also set to offer Mateo Joseph a new contract. More

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    Arsenal could enter Declan Rice transfer battle with West Ham ‘to accept fee close to £70m and star wanting London move’

    ARSENAL could enter the race to sign Declan Rice from West Ham, according to reports.The midfielder has been on the wishlist of a number of top clubs for some time but the Hammers have refused to let him go.
    Arsenal could try to sign Declan RiceCredit: Reuters
    But with 18 months remaining on his contract and having turned down a new deal, Rice could be heading off.
    Chelsea have been heavily linked with his signature but according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs, the Gunners could also make a move.
    Manchester United are also considering a bid for Rice, who could be sold for closer to £70million.
    West Ham previously demanded £100m to let the England star leave.
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    Liverpool are another club in the race to sign Rice, with the Irons said to be resigned to losing him in the summer.
    Jacobs claims Rice would prefer a London move having been born and raised in the capital – he also played for Chelsea at youth level.

    But Hammers boss David Moyes is desperate to keep Rice and is hopeful the midfielder will decide to stay at the London Stadium.
    He said: “He wants to win and he wants to play for a really good side, which is going to give him that opportunity to do so.
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    “We hope that we can reach the Champions League — it is looking difficult at this moment in time but we are not just going to roll over and let Dec walk out of the building, that is for sure. It is going to be a big fight.”
    Rice won’t be sold in the upcoming January transfer window, but West Ham could cash in on him in the summer.
    Chelsea are believed to be leading the race to sign Rice but are in the process of completing a deal for another midfielder, Enzo Fernandez. More