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    Man Utd transfer target Cody Gakpo CONFIRMS interest with Erik ten Hag eyeing two new strikers with Antony to join

    PSV EINDHOVEN star Cody Gakpo has CONFIRMED Manchester United are keen on signing him.That’s despite the Red Devils closing in on an £84million swoop for Ajax ace Antony.
    PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo has confirmed Man Utd are keen on signing himCredit: Getty
    Erik ten Hag is eager to bolster his squad with two top attackers before deadline day.
    And a deal for Brazilian wide-man Antony, 22, is finally on after Ajax rejected several previous offers.
    United’s bid falls just short of their club-record £89m move for Paul Pogba from Juventus in 2016.
    But it appears Ten Hag is still not finished in the market.
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    Cristiano Ronaldo remains keen on ditching his Old Trafford teammates after they failed to qualify for the Champions League.
    And United are hoping to end the transfer window with another forward after signing Antony.
    Reports claim Ten Hag is interested in a swoop for Barcelona’s Memphis Depay – who flopped in a previous spell at United under Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
    However, Gakpo has put the cat amongst the pigeons by claiming United are incredibly keen on his services.
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    The Holland international, 23, was linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams earlier this month.
    But PSV’s reported £40m asking price was holding United off from making a bid.
    Yet with the Dutch side dropping down to the Europa League after defeat in their qualifier against Rangers, Gakpo could now be available for a cheaper fee.
    And the player himself is adamant United are ready to pounce with just days left in the market.
    Gakpo declared: “There are also other options, United are a serious option.
    “I can hear it all. I try to shut myself off from it, but it’s difficult.”
    Should Gakpo join alongside Antony, it would leave United with seven senior attackers for just three positions.
    And that would increase the likelihood of Ronaldo quitting for a fresh start.
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    However, additional reports claim it could be Anthony Elanga who is sacrificed – at least for this season.
    That’s because Everton are hoping to land him on loan if Anthony Gordon winds up at Chelsea. More

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    Ex-Man Utd star Edinson Cavani set to join Valencia on free transfer move after rejecting Real Sociedad offer

    FORMER Manchester United star Edinson Cavani is set to join Valencia.The striker, 35, is available on a free transfer this summer after his contract expired after two years at Old Trafford.
    Edinson Cavani is on the verge of joining ValenciaCredit: Getty
    He has attracted interest from several clubs including Boca Juniors but looks set to stay in Europe.
    Valencia have offered Cavani a two-year deal and the striker is discussing the final details of the contract according to Fabrizio Romano.
    Real Sociedad were also interested in signing the Uruguayan but were only willing to offer a one-year deal.
    Because of that Cavani has opted for Valencia, and is set to undergo a medical before sealing a transfer.
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    Valencia manager Gennaro Gattuso confirmed his club are on the verge of signing Cavani with owner Peter Lim working to complete a deal.
    He said: “I am optimistic by nature, we are working, speaking, I think that we have chances.
    “Peter Lim is working a lot and I think that we are going to sign Cavani because Lim has a lot of belief in those chances at the moment.
    “When you speak of Cavani, he is not a normal player, he has played at great clubs and at the top level for a long time.
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    “He is 35, but he has an incredible mentality, I am speaking about the technical part, not the money, that is not my problem and they are two different things.
    “The problem is that a lot of people talk during an operation and it cannot be closed in two minutes.” More

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    Wolves boss Bruno Lage reveals Willy Boly was in squad to face Newcastle… but did not turn up amid transfer row

    WILLY BOLY refused to turn up for Wolves’ 1-1 draw with Newcastle as he tries to force a move out of MolineuxBoly has been the subject of a £1million offer from Nottingham Forest which has been rejected.
    Willy Boly snubbed Wolves’ call-up for Sunday’s draw against NewcastleCredit: Getty
    Bruno Lage reckons the Nottingham Forest target is trying to force a transfer exitCredit: Getty
    Lage had talks with the Ivory Coast international on Saturday and informed him he needed him in the match-day squad.
    But the 31-year-old centre-back failed to show.
    Lage said: “He has a proposal in his hands and he wants to go, that is my feeling when I talk to him.
    “I told him I need a top player like you on the bench and afterwards he makes his decision. He was in the squad list and he didn’t come.
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    “He wants to force something I think.”
    Lage said the transfer window stretching into the start of the season causes the problems.
    He said: “The market will be open and the teams will play six or seven games.
    “Everything happens with agents and players and it is so hard to manage and not just Boly. I can see everywhere a lot of talks.
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    “Boly doesn’t deserve that, he has been a great professional but in the end he wants to force something. But in the end they have to be professionals.
    “I take my decision to put him in the squad list and he takes his decision.”
    Centre-back Boly has been an unused sub in Wolves’ opening three Premier League games of the season.
    Boly is a fan favourite at Molineux.
    Nicknamed ‘The Wall’ he has played almost 150 games for the club since joining them from Porto in July 2017. More

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    PSG ready to take on Barcelona in last-gasp transfer battle for Bernardo Silva as Man City star eyes Etihad exit

    PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN reportedly remain keen on signing Manchester City star Bernardo Silva with just days remaining in the transfer window.The midfielder, 28, has been a key target for Barcelona for much of the summer.
    PSG and Barcelona still want Bernardo SilvaCredit: The Times
    But it was PSG who had a £59million bid rejected for Silva by City this week, report Sky Sports.
    Despite the setback, PSG still hope to complete a deal, though they believe it could be too late with the window closing on Thursday, according to the Daily Mail.
    Barcelona are also tracking Silva and were believed to be prepared to sell three players in order to fund a move – including Chelsea transfer target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
    City value Silva highly and Pep Guardiola hinted that his sale is unlikely because finding a replacement in under a week would prove difficult.
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    The Spaniard said after City’s draw with Barcelona on Wednesday: “He is our player. We want him to be with us because he is very important.
    “Having said that, I don’t want anyone to be unhappy. But I don’t want him to leave because he is a superlative player.
    “As a player and as a person, he is one of the best I have ever had. In any competition he is the best player.
    “If an offer arrives there are seven days left and if Bernardo leaves we would have to go to the market and not it’s easy.”
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    Silva has proved his importance over the last two games – scoring key goals in City’s comebacks against Newcastle and Crystal Palace.
    The Portuguese scored a brilliant solo effort against the Eagles on Saturday to spark City’s comeback, with Erling Haaland’s hat-trick sealing a 4-2 victory. More

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    Chelsea star Ethan Ampadu set to join Serie A minnows Spezia on season-long loan transfer with £12.75m buy option

    CHELSEA defender Ethan Ampadu is set to join Serie A side Spezia Calcio on a season-long loan, according to reports.Ampadu, 21, joined Chelsea from Exeter City in 2017 but has since failed to establish himself as a first-team regular.
    Ampadu is set to join Spezia on loanCredit: Getty
    He spent the last three seasons out on loan to RB Leipzig, Sheffield United and Venezia respectively.
    And he is now expected to be sent out once again before the transfer window slams shut next week.
    According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Ampadu is set for a return to Italy where he will spend this season on loan at Spezia.
    The defender will travel out to complete his medical and sign the contract early next week.
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    The deal will keep him at the club until June 2023, but there is an option to buy clause worth £12.75million included.
    Ampadu has made just 12 senior appearances for Chelsea over the past five years.
    But, he is set to fall further down the pecking order when Wesley Fofana joins from Leicester.
    The Frenchman has already completed his medical and Chelsea are expected to confirm the huge £75m signing next week.
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    Fofana will remain at Stamford Bridge until June 2028 after signing a six-year deal.
    He will join new boys Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Koulibaly in Thomas Tuchel’s defensive set-up. More

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    Chelsea turn transfer attentions to Wilfried Zaha with Crystal Palace ace targeted as Aubameyang alternative

    CHELSEA are reportedly interested in signing Wilfried Zaha from Crystal Palace.Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is currently on the lookout for attacking reinforcements following the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.
    Chelsea are interested in signing ZahaCredit: Mark Pain / Premium Sport
    Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the club’s top priority with a deal already in place.
    However, talks recently stalled over personal terms as Chelsea are only willing to propose a one-year deal while the former Arsenal man wants a contract that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2024.
    While Tuchel is pushing to complete the transfer before next week’s deadline day, he has also identified another target as a potential back-up if terms cannot be agreed.
    According to The Guardian, Crystal Palace forward Zaha has emerged on the club’s wishlist.
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    Zaha has less than one year remaining on his current contract with the Eagles, so he could be made available for a reasonable price.
    The Ivory Coast international, who re-joined Palace from Manchester United in 2015, has scored three goals in three games for Patrick Vieira’s side this season.
    But, he was left out of the squad for Saturday’s clash with Manchester City due to a leg injury.
    Chelsea are seeking a proven goalscorer with Armando Broja currently the club’s only out-and-out striker.
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    Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling have been tasked with leading the line for the Blues so far this season, so adding Zaha to the mix will only increase attacking presence.
    Tuchel is also pushing to sign Anthony Gordon from Everton.
    The young winger has informed Frank Lampard that he wants to leave Goodison Park to join Chelsea.
    However, the Everton boss has valued him at over £100million.
    The Blues have already had four bids for Gordon rejected by Everton, who ideally want to keep him for at least one more year. More

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    Newcastle star Fabian Schar lucky to escape red card after horrific tackle on Pedro Neto during Wolves clash

    NEWCASTLE star Fabian Schar was lucky not to receive a red card for his horrific challenge on Wolves star Pedro Neto in the teams’ 1-1 draw.The Magpies faced Wolves in a heated Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon.
    Fabian Schar was lucky not to receive a red card for this horrific challenge on Wolves star Pedro Neto
    Ruben Neves gave Wolves the lead at the Molineux with a sumptuous finish in the first half.
    Wolves were on the verge of clinching three points before Allan Saint-Maximin’s last-gasp equaliser.
    Both sides scrambled for a winner in eight minutes of stoppage time to no avail.
    However, the match could’ve had a different outcome if Schar was given his marching orders for his gruesome challenge on Neto early in the second half.
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    Schar’s tough tackle culminated in him receiving a yellow card for the offence, and Neto going down injured.
    The centre-back held his breath as VAR checked the challenge, but he was able to carry on after the system didn’t deem the contravention worthy of a red.
    Neto soon returned to action, although fans were fuming that Schar wasn’t removed from the game for his challenge.
    Sky Sports asked users on Twitter if they thought Schar should’ve been sent off.
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    And one fan emphatically responded yes whilst claiming it would’ve been a different outcome if Schar played for Manchester United.
    Another fan bluntly said: “Yes, it is not a fair challenge.”
    A third user who supports Newcastle even admitted Schar should’ve been further punished, adding: “Yeah and I support the team lol.”
    Schar then had the chance to win the game for Newcastle with the final kick of the game but he sent his free-kick wide. More

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    Cristiano Ronaldo ‘annoyed with 25 per cent pay cut written into contract for Man United missing Champions League’

    CRISTIANO RONALDO is reportedly annoyed with Manchester United after having to take a 25 per cent pay cut.That’s due to the Red Devils missing out on Champions League football this season.
    Cristiano Ronaldo is upset at having to take a 25 per cent pay cut at Man UtdCredit: Getty
    The Sunday Times claims Ronaldo, 37, was left fuming when United finished sixth in the Premier League last term.
    The dud ending to Ralf Rangnick’s tenure not only saw the club miss out on the continent’s top competition.
    But it also ensured Ronaldo saw his wages drop from £480,000-a-week to £360k-a-week.
    The clause was written into his contract when Ronnie rejoined United from Juventus last year.
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    And the Portuguese legend has been giving out about the 25 per cent deduction since it kicked in two months ago.
    Unhappy Ronaldo has been pushing for an exit this summer despite Erik ten Hag implementing a new style at Old Trafford.
    He’s started just one of United’s four league games under the Dutchman.
    And the striker could only muster a brief appearance from the bench in yesterday’s win at Southampton.
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    But Ronaldo has failed to attract a transfer offer from a big side, despite being linked with Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
    His best option could be a return to boyhood club Sporting Lisbon.
    Yet reports claim Italian giants Napoli could soon make an offer, with Victor Osimhen moving the other way.
    United won’t be left light in attack should Ronaldo leave though.
    That’s because they are finally closing in on Ajax winger Antony.
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    The Dutch club rejected a £75million bid from United on Friday.
    But reports claim they have now accepted an £85m offer after Antony went public with his fury at being denied a move. More