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

    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’

    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.
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    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

    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’

    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

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    Arsenal have £55m Mykhailo Mudryk transfer bid rejected by Shakhtar as Ukrainians hold out for £85m fee

    ARSENAL have had a £55million bid for Mykhailo Mudryk rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk, according to reports.The Gunners are keen to strengthen their forward line in January.
    Mykhailo Mudryk has been in red hot form for Shakhtar DonetskCredit: Reuters
    Club chiefs have been particularly eager to bolster their wide options, having unsuccessfully tried to prise Pedro Neto from Wolves last summer.
    The position remains a priority, with Mudryk now their No1 target.
    Arsenal launched a £55m bid for the Ukrainian this week, only to be turned down.
    According to the Telegraph, Shakhtar are demanding a fee of around £85m for their star man.
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    Mudryk, 21, has made it clear that he would like to join the Gunners in January.
    He admitted last month: “From a purely hypothetical perspective, if there was the option of being a bench player for Real Madrid or a starter for Arsenal, I’d probably choose Arsenal.”
    And he even posted a picture of his screen as he watched yesterday’s 3-1 victory over West Ham.
    Asked about his side’s interest in Mudryk after the match, boss Mikel Arteta refused to be drawn.
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    He replied: “We said that we will try to find ways to strengthen the team.
    “We will find the right players and that is all I can say.”
    Primarily a left winger, but also capable of playing on the right, Mudryk has made 44 first team appearances for Shakhtar, scoring 12 times.
    Ten of his goals have come in 18 outings this season, in addition to an impressive eight assists.
    His strikes have included Champions League efforts against Celtic and RB Leipzig.
    He has also broken into his national team, so far earning eight caps for Ukraine.
    Mudryk, 21, tuned into Arsenal’s clash with West Ham from UkraineCredit: Instagram / @mmudryk10 More

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    Man Utd ace Anthony Elanga linked with Everton loan transfer with Toffees ‘keen admirers of Swede and Matheus Cunha’

    EVERTON are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United forward Anthony Elanga on loan.The Toffees currently sit 17th in the Premier League, just one point above the relegation zone.
    Everton are interested in signing ElangaCredit: Getty
    Frank Lampard is understood to be eager to bolster his squad in January, but transfer funds will likely be limited due to the club’s financial issues.
    According to The Athletic, Everton are expected to look into the loan market over the next few weeks.
    Elanga is one of the club’s top targets with Lampard prioritising a new forward due to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s persistent injury issues.
    The 20-year-old is understood to be frustrated with his current role at Old Trafford due to a lack of first team football, so a short-term loan will likely be his preferred move.
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    He has made just 14 appearances so far for the Red Devils this season and he is yet to score.
    Everton have also expressed an interest in signing Matheus Cunha, however the striker recently agreed to join Wolves on loan.
    Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres is another name on the transfer wishlist.
    The Swedish striker is considered a more accessible option for cash-strapped Everton with the January transfer window fast approaching.
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    Watford’s Ismaila Sarr has also been linked with a move to Goodison Park over the past few weeks.
    The winger has scored six goals in 19 appearances for the Hornets so far this season, so he could prove to be a good replacement for Richarlison.
    Everton suffered a 2-1 defeat to Wolves on Boxing Day and Lampard’s side are set to face Manchester City on New Years Eve. More

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    Real Madrid ‘target shock Alphonso Davies transfer and will take advantage of Bayern star’s contract in cut-price deal’

    REAL MADRID are reportedly eyeing up a move for Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies… but may have to be patient if they are to secure his signature.The 22-year-old Canadian joined the German champions in 2018 and has racked up 134 appearances, contributing six goals and 21 assists.
    Alphonso Davies has established himself as one of the best left-backs aroundCredit: Getty
    AS understand Real Madrid are lining up a move for the talented CanadianCredit: AS
    He has already won four Bundesliga titles and the Champions League.
    And before the World Cup break he had managed a goal and four assists for Julian Nagelsmann’s men so far this season.
    Davies, who is under contract with Bayern until 2025, then headed to Qatar and impressed for Canada as they took part in their first World Cup for 36 years.
    Despite exiting in the group stage, Davies was a standout star for his nation and even scored in the defeat Croatia.
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    And AS understand Real Madrid are now thought to be interested in bringing him to the Bernabeu.
    However, it is believed they will wait until 2024 to try and sign the full-back.
    This would enable them to try and purchase him for a cut-price.
    It is a tactic Los Blancos have used in the past to acquire the likes of Toni Kroos from Bayern and Eden Hazard from Chelsea.
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    But Bayern will do their best to try and avoid selling Davies cheaply.
    Meanwhile, Real are also looking at other supremely talented youngsters to add to their squad in the coming years.
    One of those is Borussia Dortmund and England midfielder Jude Bellingham.
    However, the Spanish giants face competition from the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain as they prepare to battle it out for him in the summer. More

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    Newcastle make Chelsea star Jorginho ‘prime transfer target’ with Italian set to quit on a free in 2023

    NEWCASTLE have made Chelsea midfielder Jorginho their “prime transfer target”, according to reports.The Italian is about to enter the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge.
    Jorginho’s Chelsea contract is about to enter its final six monthsCredit: Reuters
    Jorginho, 31, will be free to talk to clubs overseas in January about a potential move.
    While he can join another English side for nothing come next summer.
    Toon boss Eddie Howe wants the experienced ace as he continues his St James’ Park revolution.
    According to the Mail, the Magpies will make a big effort to convince Jorginho to quit West London for a move to the North East.
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    The Euro 2020 winner’s Chelsea future is uncertain, having reportedly turned down a new deal back in October.
    Although he recently admitted that he’d be happy to stay.
    Jorginho told talkSPORT: “Of course I do, I love Chelsea. But this is a thing I’m not going to think about now.
    “I need to think about winning games. Otherwise it’s a problem.
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    “I’ll focus game by game and then we’ll see what’s going to happen.
    “But my mind is on Chelsea now and trying to win as many games as possible.”
    Jorginho has made 207 appearances for the Blues under four different managers since joining from Napoli under Maurizio Sarri in 2018. More