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    Man Utd ‘already working on transfer for Monaco right-back Vanderson but face competition from Barcelona’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly working on a deal to sign Monaco star Vanderson.But they face competition from Barcelona for the Brazilian right-back.
    Man Utd are keen on landing Barcelona target Vanderson from MonacoCredit: Getty
    Sport claims Erik ten Hag is keen on signing a new defender in January.
    United’s backline has already improved thanks to the additions of Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.
    And Vanderson, 21, has been earmarked as the next exciting talent to boost the squad.
    The former Gremio star only joined Monaco in January, but his fine performances quickly resulted in a new contract.
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    It’s reckoned Vanderson is valued at over £52m by his club.
    But United have shown they are willing to pay high fees if Ten Hag believes it is worthwhile.

    There could yet be one issue for the Red Devils though.
    That’s because Barcelona are thought to remain interested after targeting Vanderson over the summer.
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    They balked at Monaco’s asking price when Xavi Hernandez identified the youngster as Dani Alves’ successor.
    But Barca’s rebuild has so far gone to plan after a huge summer splurge.
    And Xavi is targeting a new right-back amongst others as he looks to keep pace with Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid.
    Monaco are now braced for enquiries and bids in the build-up to January. More

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    Nottingham Forest secure 23RD summer transfer as Sarajevo goalkeeper Adnan Kanuric joins three weeks after deadline

    STEVE COOPER has made goalkeeper Adnan Kanuric his 23rd summer signing for big-spending Nottingham Forest.The 22-year-old has been training with Forest’s first team after his contract with FK Sarajevo expired in July and he has impressed enough to earn a contract.
    Adnan Kanuric has become Nottingham Forest’s 23rd signing of the season
    Kanuric has previous experience in England with Stoke City
    Forest issued a short statement to confirm they had signed the Bosnia and Herzegovina Under-21 keeper, who is expected to challenge third-choice Jordan Smith for his Under-21 shirt.
    It stated: “Nottingham Forest is pleased to confirm the signing of goalkeeper Adnan Kanuric. Welcome to The Reds, Adnan!”
    Austrian-born Kanuric will want to target Forest’s experienced back-up keeper Wayne Hennessey who signed a two-year deal in July.
    He will also target Ethan Horvath who is currently excelling on loan at Luton Town as Steve Cooper encourages competition within his squad.
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    Dean Henderson, Forest’s current No1, has made a positive start but is only contracted to the club until the end of this season, following his season-long loan from Manchester United.
    Kanuric already has experience of playing in England, having spent two years at Stoke City.
    He left the Potters in 2020 to sign for Slovakian side SKF Sered.
    He then moved on to FK Sarajevo, where he featured twice in the Europa Conference League qualifiers at the beginning of the 2021-22 term.
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    He could get his first taste of action in a friendly against Italian side Palermo on Friday.
    Forest splashed out a remarkable £165million on new players over the summer, with Morgan Gibbs-White their biggest acquisition. More

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    Best XI of free transfers your team can sign TODAY including Danny Rose, Fabian Delph and Hatem Ben Arfa

    THE SUMMER transfer window may be over, but there’s still time for your team to nab themselves a bargain.An incredible XI of free agents can still be signed TODAY, or at any point in the season.
    A best XI of free agents currently available to sign
    For one reason or another, they have found themselves at a loose end over the summer.
    That’s despite a number of them boasting stacked CV’s.
    Here SunSport take a look at some of the best free agents currently on the market.
    Two of the starting XI we have compiled have won Premier League titles with Manchester City, while two ex-England internationals also make the team.
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    In goal is former West Ham goalkeeper David Martin, 36, who was released at the end of last season.
    At right-back is Colombia’s ex-Atletico Madrid star Santiago Arias, who won three Eredivisie titles with PSV during his spell from 2013-2018.
    On the opposite side of defence is Danny Rose – capped 29 times by the Three Lions – who recently had his Watford contract ripped up by mutual consent.
    A centre-back pairing would then consist of ex-City ace Eliaquim Mangala, who won the top-flight title in 2018, and Jason Denayer.
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    Denayer, who came through the academy at the Etihad, was released by Lyon in the summer after making 139 appearances during his four-year stay in France.
    In defensive midfield is Mangala’s ex-City team-mate Fabian Delph, with the two-time Premier League champion a free agent after Everton decided against offering him a new deal.
    Former Spurs, QPR and Benfica man Adel Taarabt features in a free-roaming No8 role, alongside Lille icon Xeka.
    Xeka – part of Lille’s 2020-21 Ligue 1 winners squad – scored four goals in 31 games in all competitions last season, including the winner in the French Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain.
    Multiple French top-flight champ Hatem Ben Arfa slots in on the left wing, with ex-Spurs, Everton and Burnley ace Aaron Lennon on the right flank.
    Leading the line is Lennon’s former Clarets team-mate Matej Vydra, who fired in two goals in the Premier League last term. More

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    Mauricio Pochettino to hold talks with Nice over return to management to take over team full of ex-Premier League stars

    MAURICIO POCHETTINO is set to hold shock talks with Nice over a swift return to management.The 50-year-old has been out of a job since July after being brutally sacked by Paris Saint-Germain for failing to win the Champions League.
    Former Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly set to hold talks with NiceCredit: Reuters
    Christophe Galtier succeeded the Argentine gaffer at Parc des Princes, with Lucien Favre then replacing the Frenchman at Nice.
    But Favre is already under intense pressure at the Allianz Riviera with the club in 13th spot in Ligue 1 having won just two out of their opening eight matches.
    And according to Foot Mercato, a meeting is scheduled to take place later on Tuesday between Nice and Pochettino about him taking over from Favre if the latter is axed.
    It has been said that Nice would be able to meet Pochettino’s salary demands.
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    Poch is claimed to be high on Nice’s list with Favre’s time in the south of France seemingly coming to an end.
    The ex- Spurs and Southampton gaffer had been linked with taking charge of Sevilla recently if Julen Lopetegui is to be relieved of his duties.
    Meanwhile Pochettino was touted as a possible option for Chelsea after they sacked Thomas Tuchel, but the job eventually went to Graham Potter.
    And he has recently emerged as one of the favourites to be the next Leicester manager if Brendan Rodgers is fired following the Foxes’ horror start this season.
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    But should talks with Nice prove to be successful, he could be set to make a swift return to Ligue 1 instead of the Premier League.
    And if he gets the job at Nice, he will be taking charge of a number of former English top-flight stars.
    Not only would he be reunited with his former Saints ace Morgan Schneiderlin, but he would also manage ex-Leicester shot-stopper Kasper Schmeichel and former Chelsea playmaker Ross Barkley.
    Former Fulham pair Joe Bryan and Mario Lemina are also on Nice’s books.
    As are Arsenal icon Aaron Ramsey and Nicolas Pepe, who is on a season-long loan spell from the Gunners. More

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    Benjamin Pavard flirts with transfer to Man Utd or Chelsea after confirming summer offers amid interest from five clubs

    BAYERN MUNICH defender Benjamin Pavard has hinted he could be interested in a move amid interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.The French right-back, 26, was persuaded to stay with the German champions in the summer and started their first five Bundesliga games of the campaign.
    Pavard has hinted about a potential move away from BayernCredit: Getty
    This was despite interest from Man Utd, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
    Now though, he has been benched for the past two matches, with manager Julian Nagelsmann opting to play Noussair Mazraoui instead.
    And Pavard has reignited rumours of a departure from the club by refusing to rule out a transfer.
    Speaking to Telefoot, he said: “I questioned myself, I had calls from different clubs with my agent.
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    “Afterwards, I had the Bayern coach with whom we spoke and with whom we have a good relationship.
    “He made me understand that I was in his plans, that I was important for the team.
    “Maybe one day I will go to one of these clubs, you never know what the future holds.
    “I’m still a year at Bayern Munich. Afterwards, we have time to project ourselves.”
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    Pavard joined Bayern from Stuttgart in 2019 and has already won three Bundesliga titles.
    He has made 127 appearances for the German giants, scoring seven goals and providing 11 assists.
    He rose to global prominence at the 2018 World Cup after scoring a wonder goal in France’s 4-2 win over Argentina.
    The full-back then went on to help his country lift the trophy for a second time in their history. More

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    Man Utd ‘in talks to extend Marcus Rashford’s contract and ward off Chelsea and PSG transfer interest’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly in talks to extend Marcus Rashford’s contract.The move comes amid interest in the England forward from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.
    Man Utd are in talks over extending the contract of in-form Marcus RashfordCredit: EPA
    Rashford, 24, looks to have revived his Red Devils career under new boss Erik ten Hag.
    The versatile striker has three goals in six games so far this season.
    And Portuguese transfer expert Pedro Almeida claims United now entered talks with Rashford’s agents over extending his contract.
    The ace’s current deal expires next summer, although there is an option to automatically renew it until 2024.
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    That’s attracted fresh interest from French champs PSG, who previously looked at Rashford as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe before he snubbed Real Madrid.
    Doubts still remain over his long-term future, while Lionel Messi and Neymar aren’t getting any younger.
    Meanwhile, Repubblica claims Chelsea are also monitoring Rashford as their revolution under Graham Potter and Todd Boehly builds up steam.
    But Ten Hag is desperate to keep Rashford after turning him back into a leading No9.
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    The Dutchman believes United can WIN the title this season with the Carrington youth product up top.
    And SunSport revealed earlier this month that Ten Hag’s faith in Rashford is set to see Cristiano Ronaldo finally force through an exit in January.
    Rashford was just 18 years old when he marked his United debut with two goals against Midtjylland in 2016.
    He now has a grand total of 96 goals in 309 games, despite mainly playing as a winger in recent years.
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    Rashford has won an FA Cup and Europa League with United, as well as a Carabao Cup and Community Shield.
    He has also 46 caps for England, including 12 goals, and looks set to earn a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad this winter.  More

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    Man Utd planning £25m transfer swoop for Benfica striker Goncalo Ramos with Newcastle and Bayern Munich sniffing around

    ERIK TEN HAG is eyeing Benfica ace Goncalo Ramos to boost Manchester United’s firepower.Ramos, 21, has hit eight goals in 12 games this season, prompting United to make contact with his representatives.
    Man Utd are eyeing a £25m swoop for Benfica striker Goncalo RamosCredit: Getty
    He is valued around £25million by Benfica, which United would not go above — despite the player reportedly having a £100m release clause.
    The Portuguese Under-21 star was linked to Newcastle in the last window as Eddie Howe searched for a striker — and he is also being tracked by Bayern Munich.
    However, United boss Ten Hag does not have a big transfer pot for January, having gone over budget this summer. But there is still recognition of the urgent need for another forward.
    Injuries to Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have exposed how short they are in that department, with Cristiano Ronaldo, 37, their only recognised and fit striker.
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    Ramos scored against Liverpool in last season’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Anfield.
    And he began this campaign in spectacular fashion, with a hat-trick against Denmark’s Midtjylland. In the league he has four goals in six appearances, plus two assists.
    Ten Hag was backed with £206.7m this summer —  United’s biggest-ever spend in a single window.
    His four buys, plus the free signing of Christian Eriksen, have helped to transform United after a horror opening two games, which they lost to Brighton and Brentford.
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    They have since won four Premier League games on the trot —  and have inflicted leaders Arsenal’s only defeat of the season.
    After losing their first Europa League group game against Spain’s Real Sociedad, United got back on track last week with a 2-0 away win over Moldova’s Sheriff.
    And in a boost for the injury-plagued frontline, United are now hoping Rashford will return in time for next month’s derby at the Etihad.
    The England forward suffered a muscle injury in the victory over Arsenal in early September and has not played since.
    He sat out both the Europa League matches  and was not picked in the Three Lions squad for the forthcoming Nations League matches against Italy and Germany.
    However, there is now confidence at Old Trafford he will be ready to make the short journey to face Pep Guardiola’s champions on October 2.
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    And that would be a much-welcome boost for Ten Hag — as the 24-year-old scored in key wins over Liverpool and the Gunners.
    Rashford has still not given up on forcing his way  into the World Cup squad but knows time is quickly running out, with England’s opener against Iran on November 21. More

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    Man Utd legend Bryan Robson reveals regret club failed to sign Jude Bellingham.. and agrees with stunning comparisons

    JUDE BELLINGHAM’S build means that he could hardly be described as a mirror image of Bryan Robson.But, height apart, Robson agrees with his old England team-mate Gary Lineker on every other level about Borussia Dortmund’s rising star.
    Bryan Robson admits Man Utd were gutted to miss out on Jude Bellingham in 2020Credit: Getty
    Robson was part of a United group who tried landing the England ace before Borussia Dortmund pouncedCredit: Getty
    Match of the Day host Lineker was dazzled by Bellingham’s display as he grabbed the opener for the Germans in last week’s Champions League match at Manchester City.
    He tweeted of the 6ft 1in midfielder: “I’ll be very surprised if Bellingham doesn’t play a big part in England’s World Cup campaign. Got a bit of Bryan Robson about him.”
    And that according to Robson, the former Three Lions skipper still known as Captain Marvel, is right on the mark.
    Robson stood four inches shorter than Bellingham but says so much else about the 19-year-old is similar.
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    And just like Lineker he believes the starlet, who is wanted by Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea, can have a towering influence on England’s World Cup campaign.
    Robson told SunSport: “I definitely think he might have a bit of me in him. It’s all very well flying forward and trying to score but it’s also about protecting your back four.
    “That was something I always believed that you had to do as a midfielder.
    “I watched him closely playing against City and you could see how much he’s progressed since we thought we had landed him at Manchester United a couple of years ago.
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    Robbo knows what it’s like to be an all-action midfielderCredit: Rex
    “He has fantastic anticipation — as we saw in the way he darted into the box to put away his header. But he wins plenty of battles as well. 
    “A lot of people think he’s more or less an attacking midfielder but he can do the other side of it as well.
    “He’s a good size. He’s pretty quick and in fact he’s got a bit of everything about him.
    “What he’s got to do, of course, is keep his feet on the ground and work hard to be the best  he can be.
    “But you can see why he has become such a big target in the market because he is such a big talent.
    “And if he keeps performing like he did against City he will be a big part of England’s World Cup bid.”
    CHANCE FOR JUDE
    Injured midfielders Kalvin Phillips (shoulder) and Jordan Henderson (hamstring) miss the Nations League games in Italy on Friday and at home to Germany on Monday.
    That gives Bellingham the chance to stake a claim, with England’s next game their World Cup opener against Iran in Qatar on November 21. 
    Robson added: “Declan Rice is a given as an England holding midfielder — he’s so solid and reliable.
    “Depending on how Gareth Southgate wants to play, Bellingham could have a role alongside him.
    “What’s sure is that Gareth has had Bellingham on his radar for some time now — he started  playing him when he was still 17.
    “Now he’s got 15 caps and we have the two games coming up against Italy and Germany.
    We (Man Utd) thought we more or less had him (Bellingham)Bryan Robson
    “It would be natural to think that Gareth will maintain that progress with him heading into the finals.”
    Robson had hoped that the Stourbridge-born son of a policeman would be patrolling the Old Trafford midfield by now.
    He formed part of a welcoming committee of United legends that also included Sir Alex Ferguson and Eric Cantona when Bellingham was invited for talks on his future while  a 16-year-old at Birmingham.
    Yet a few months later in July 2020 he chose Dortmund instead, joining the Bundesliga club for an initial fee of £25million.
    United ambassador Robbo, now 65, added: “Unfortunately for us he decided to move to Germany. We thought we more or less had him.
    “Myself, Sir Alex and Eric Cantona all met him with his mum and dad at Carrington and after that meeting we thought he was coming to us.
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    “Now there is talk about him moving next summer and you see Liverpool mentioned a lot.
    “We thought we had him and he would have been a great signing for us. But he definitely has it in him to become a great player for England.” More