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      Barcelona star Oshoala linked with Manchester United move and WSL return after Arsenal spell

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      ASISAT OSHOALA could be set for a stunning return to the WSL with Manchester United reportedly keen on the striker.Mundo Deportivo claims the Red Devils have made an offer for the forward who helped Barcelona win their sixth LaLiga Women’s title. 
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      Asisat Oshoala has been heavily linked with a summer move to Man UnitedCredit: Getty
      Nigeria striker Oshoala has netted 16 goals in 22 appearances for Barcelona this termCredit: Getty
      Should a summer switch come to fruition it would see the Nigeria ace competing in the top tier of the women’s game in England four years on from leaving Arsenal in 2017.  
      Oshoala, 26, has enjoyed a trophy-laden season with Barcelona who won their first-ever Women’s Champions League crown after trouncing Chelsea 4-0. 
      The forward netted 16 goals in 22 appearances for the side who have lost just one of their 29 top flight games this term. 
      And the former Gunners star scored four times in nine appearances in Europe helping Barca become the dominant force in the women’s game on the Continent this term. 
      United, who are on the hunt for a new gaffer following Casey Stoney’s surprise departure, have been heavily linked with a swoop for Oshoala.
      And the club could be looking to strengthen their attacking options amid reports of a possible Leicester City swoop for Jess Sigsworth.
      In April news reports in Spain claimed Oshoala, who has a year left on her Barcelona contract, is considering a summer exit.  
      Oshoala and Barcelona are due to play Real Madrid nextCredit: Rex
      And Mundo Deportivo say the LaLiga champs are willing to consider offers for the Nigeria star who was named the Best African Woman Player of the Decade by the International Federation of Football History. 
      Oshoala, who will play Real Madrid with her team-mates next, enjoyed a two-year stint in England’s top flight before a switch to China and then Spain. 
      The striker became the first African female footballer to play in the Women’s Super League following her 2015 move to Liverpool under Matt Beard. 
      And the forward would move south to Arsenal in March 2016, netting two goals in 13 WSL appearances and helping the Gunners beat Chelsea in the final of the FA Cup that year. 

      Oshoala left Arsenal for Chinese club Dalian in 2017, helping the side win China’s Women’s Super Cup and league title.
      The Nigeria star sealed a permanent switch to Barca in 2019 following a loan move in January that year.
      And the former Arsenal ace helped the Catalan giants win back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020. 
      Oshoala helped Barcelona win their first Women’s Champions League trophyCredit: Getty
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      Kirby, Kerr and Hemp among Chelsea and Man City stars nominated for PFA gong

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      CHELSEA’S Fran Kirby and Sam Kerr and Manchester City ace Lauren Hemp are in the running for the 2021 Women’s PFA Players’ Player award.The trio are among six Blues and City stars named as nominees for the Professional Footballers’ Association prize. 
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      Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby are among the three Chelsea’s nominated for a Women’s PFA Players’ Player gongCredit: Getty
      Lauren Hemp has also been nominated for efforts on Man City’s flankCredit: Getty
      Other players nominated include Chelsea keeper Ann-Katrin Berger, City winger Chloe Kelly, 23, and former City midfielder Sam Mewis who has returned to US club North Carolina Courage. 
      Kirby and Kerr, both 27, formed a lethal partnership in attack for Emma Hayes’ side this term.
      The pair scored 37 goals in the top flight as Chelsea battled their way to a fourth Women’s Super League title. 
      And the duo’s clinical link-up play in the top tier has seen their boss compare them to Manchester United treble-winning legends Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke. 
      In the Blues’ goal Berger has been earning praise from pundits for some of her match-winning stops for the WSL champs. 
      The Germany international, 30, who admits to being a tough critic of her performances, has kept 12 clean sheets in 17 top tier games this season. 
      And Berger’s standout performances for Chelsea in Europe – including two penalty saves against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League League – have seen her shot-stopping described as world-class. 
      Meanwhile, City trio Hemp, 20, Kelly and Mewis, 28, played a key role in helping Gareth Taylor’s side take the race for the WSL title to the wire. 
      Hemp’s and Kelly’s impressive shifts on City’s flanks helped the team net 65 goals in the league this season. 
      Standout performances include a Kelly hat-trick in City’s 8-0 FA Cup demolition of Aston Villa, a month before the winger suffered an ACL injury in May. 
      Ann Katrin-Berger won praise for her domestic and European performances in goal for ChelseaCredit: Getty

      And Hemp’s back-to-back goals against Arsenal and Man United helped City seal important wins against the Gunners and the Red Devils in February. 
      Hemp has also been named in the PFA’s Women’s Young Player of the Year category. 
      Other nominees are Man United’s Ella Toone and Lauren James, Chelsea’s Niamh Charles, former Bristol striker Ebony Salmon and City keeper Ellie Roebuck. 
      Man United forward Ella Toone is one of six players in running for the PFA’s Women’s Young Player of the Year awardCredit: Rex
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      Willie Kirk ready to splash cash on players as Everton eye Champions League qualification

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      WILLIE KIRK is ready to splash the cash on at least SIX new players in an effort to help Everton grab a Champions League place, according to reports. The Toffees finished fifth last season, 16 points below Arsenal who leapfrogged Man United to third and a place in the competition next term.
      Kirk is ready to spend in order to help the Toffees qualify for the Champions League next seasonCredit: Getty
      Kirk, who moved to Merseyside from Manchester United in 2018, is keen to lead Everton back into Europe for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
      Back then the club reached the competition’s quarter-finals where they were knocked out by German side Duisburg following their 5-2 aggregate victory.
      In order to achieve their Euro goal, Kirk, 42, believes Everton will have to get out the chequebook to break Chelsea’s, Man City’s and Arsenal’s top three dominance.
      Kirk told the Liverpool Echo: “Inevitably there probably will have to be fees.
      “Contracts are as long as they have ever been in the women’s game, so it is not as simple as letting players run down their contract and then signing them.
      “Clubs work much more long-term now which means the players we are targeting are not necessarily free transfers.
      “So we might have to pay a couple of fees.”
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      Everton, whose squad includes the likes of England starlet Sandy MacIver and France ace Valerie Gauvin, reportedly have their eyes on some ‘big signings’.
      Willie Kirk is reportedly keen on seeing Jill Scott seal a permanent move to Walton Hall ParkCredit: Alamy

      And the Echo claims Man City veteran Jill Scott – who had been on loan at the Toffees – is one new additions officials wish to bring to Walton Park.
      Scott, 34, who has 150 senior England caps, joined the Toffees on loan in January, made 11 appearances for the side netting two goals
      And Kirk and Everton’s sporting and commercial Sarvar Ismailov hope to bring the influential midfielder to Merseyside permanently
      It is thought the Lionesses ace’s experience of playing in Europe could be invaluable to the Toffees.
      Kirk said: “Jill has made a huge difference since she’s come in.
      “She’s fantastic to have as part of the group and she’s so infectious with her enthusiasm and energy.
      “The standard of her training and performances in terms of ball retention and game management will mean she will have a long-term impact on this club.”
      Everton are targeting a top three spot after finishing fifth last termCredit: PA
      Kirk also has high hopes for Toffees keeper Sandy MacIver who is part of a quartet of reserve players included in Hege Riise’s Team GB squad for the Tokyo Olympics.
      The England starlet has already tipped her to become one of the world’s best in the future by Kirk.
      And the Cheshire-born stopper, 22, also shares her manager’s Champions League qualification dream.
      This year the ambitious keeper signed a new contract with Everton which will see her remain with the club until 2023.
      MacIver said: “The Champions League is where we want to be. I really believe the foundations are in place to do that.
      “I don’t see why we can’t break into that top three or four in the WSL and cement ourselves as a top side in Europe.
      Sandy MacIver is confident Everton can break into the WSL’s top threeCredit: Alamy
      “Willie signing his new contract at the end of last year was a real statement, too, and shows his belief in where the club is going.
      “Willie has made it clear of his intent with the players he’s brought in.”
      “That was another big reason for me wanting to stay.”
      MacIver signed a new deal in March which will see her remain with the Toffees until 2023Credit: Getty
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      Paris Saint-Germain and Roma reportedly keen on ex-West Ham midfielder Emily van Egmond

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      EMILY VAN EGMOND is rumoured to be a summer transfer target for Roma and Ligue One Women’s giant Paris Saint-Germain.ESPN claims both European clubs are interested in the former West Ham star, who is thought to be eyeing a National Women’s Soccer League return.  
      PSG and Roma are rumoured to be keen on former West Ham midfielder Emily van EgmondCredit: Getty
      Australia international van Egmond is thought to be eyeing a move back to the NWSLCredit: Rex
      The Australia midfielder sealed a temporary move to the Irons from US club Orlando Pride at the start of the 2020-21 WSL season with former boss Matt Beard still in charge.
      And the Matildas ace made her switch permanent in January following the arrival of new gaffer Olli Harder and after netting four times in 12 WSL appearances. 
      However van Egmond is one of EIGHT players released by the Hammers in May. 
      Others who have been let go include Martha Thomas, Laura Vetterlein, Cecelie Redisch, and France midfielder Kenza Dali who is also rumoured to be a PSG target. 
      Van Egmond, 27, helped the Irons to retain their spot in the top tier after their  season-long battle to avoid the drop to the Women’s Championship 
      The club, who have been under the reign of Harder since January following Beard’s departure in November 2020, secured a ninth-place finish.  
      And van Egmond made 21 WSL appearances for the Hammers including a start in a crucial 5-0 win against Reading which preceded three vital draws against Everton and home and away to Aston Villa. 
      Should the Matildas ace opt for a PSG switch, she will be joining a side on the verge of becoming the champions of France’s top-flight and ending Lyon’s 14-year dominance.
      The Paris juggernauts are currently top of the Ligue One Women’s division and one point ahead of Lyon. 
      Andif they win their final game of the season against eighth-placed Dijon, PSG will be crowned the new champions. 
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      Ex-West Ham midfielder Kenza Dali is also reported to be of interest to French giants PSGCredit: Alamy

      Van Egmond, who has 97 Australia caps, has been called up to the Matildas squad ahead of two international friendlies against Denmark and Sweden in June. 
      Other players in the group include Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, West Ham’s Mackenzie Arnold and Arsenal’s Caitlin Foord. 
      It is thought the games will be used as warm-ups before Australia’s participation in the Tokyo Olympics. 
      And head coach Tony Gustavsson is due to select his squad of 18 and four reserve players to travel to Japan.
      Emily van Egmond and her Australia team-mates are due to play Denmark and Sweden before the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
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      Fran Kirby ready to put Chelsea bond with team-mate Kerr on hold at Tokyo Olympics

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      FRAN KIRBY says her bond with Sam Kerr will not stop her gunning for victory if Great Britain and Australia go head-to-head at the Olympics.The Chelsea playmaker made the admission after being selected to represent Team GB at the Tokyo games in July.
      Fran Kirby is ready to put her Blues bond with Sam Kerr to one side at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: Getty
      Sam Kerr will be leading Australia’s attack at the Tokyo Olympics’ football tournament in JulyCredit: Corbis – Getty
      Kirby, 27, has established a formidable partnership at Chelsea with Matildas skipper Kerr
      The duo netted 37 goals last term helping Chelsea to nab their fourth WSL title.
      And their bond has seen them compared to Manchester United legends Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke, who helped lead the Red Devils to a historic treble in 1999.
      But Kirby says she is prepared to put their special on-pitch bond to one side if it would mean a for Team GB.
      Kirby told FAWSL Full-Time: “I think of course it’s always special to play against people who you play with week in, week out on a scale like that. “
      “For so many of us to be able to go there and represent our countries in the Olympics, I think it’s something that we need to celebrate, obviously, as team-mates and as friends.
      “But I think obviously, when you come into a game situation, I think that kind of just gets thrown out the window.
      “She (Kerr) knows a lot about my play and I know a lot about her play so I think we’ll be able to give a bit of info on each other.”
      “For me, it’s just exciting. I think it’s exciting for all of us to be involved and all of us to just go out there and have fun and be Olympians and be able to be in that environment together.
      Kerr and Kirby netted 37 league goals helping Chelsea win their fourth WSL titleCredit: Getty
      “I think it’s going to be really nice but I think once you get in that moment, you’re just completely focused on your team.
      “And you’re not trying to think about how you can make your friend happy. It’s about how can you win for your team.”
      Kirby is joined by her Blues pals Millie Bright and Wales skipper Sophie Ingle in a Team GB squad that consists of 11 Manchester City players.
      And they will have to be at their best if they come up against team-mate Kerr who scored an incredible 21 goals for Emma Hayes’ side last season.
      The 27-year-old also eyeing success with Australia who have former USA assistant boss Tony Gustavsson in charge for the upcoming tournament.
      And the WSL’s Golden Boot winner reckons her national side can go far with Gustavsson at the helm.
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      Kirby’s performances for Chelsea earned her a WSL Player of the Year AwardCredit: Getty

      Kerr said: “I think he’s going to fit in well not only with the team off the field, but on the field, I think he’s what we need.”
      Chelsea fans will get to see their stars in action when the tournament begins on July 21.
      Team GB are due to play Chile in their opening Olympic Group E game followed by matches against Japan and Canada in Tokyo’s Sapporo Stadium.
      Hege Riise’s Team GB side will be pushing for a Gold medal win at the Tokyo OlympicsCredit: PA
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      Lauren James shares touching tribute to Chelsea star brother Reece after Blues Euro win

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      LAUREN JAMES shared a heartwarming photo with brother Reece holding his winner’s medal after Chelsea’s Champions League triumph. The Manchester United forward joined the ecstatic Blues defender celebrating his side’s 1-0 win against Manchester City in Portugal.
      Lauren James praised her brother Reece’s impressive performance during Chelsea’s Champions League final winCredit: Getty
      Man United ace James shared a cute childhood photo of the siblings playing football
      The WSL starlet, 19, penned an emotionally charged message to her older brother on social media after the Blues won their second Champions League trophy
      Reflecting on her sibling’s first major competition win in Europe James wrote: “Wow, incredibly proud of you. What a performance in the biggest game in your career so far.
      “Big game player! You inspire me every day and seeing you win the Champions League means I have to now do it too! Love you, @Reece James.”
      The image of the pair went viral on Twitter and received more than 150,000 likes.

      The Man United Women’s forward also showed her support for her brother before the game sharing a photo of the pair playing football as children.
      In a caption accompanying the picture, Lauren wrote: “From kicking a ball behind the house to Champions League final!!
      “Go an do your thing brother , proud sista always!”

      Blues full-back James, 21, delivered a standout performance for Chelsea during their impressive defeat of Man City at Porto’s home ground in Lisbon.
      The defender, who made 47 Blues appearances across all competitions this term, managed to nullify City forward Raheem Sterling to help his side keep a clean sheet.
      And his impressive shift at the Estadio do Dragao will no doubt be giving Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate a right-back selection headache ahead of the Euros.
      Meanwhile, James sister Lauren has also been grabbing headlines with some of her Red Devils performances.
      This year the WSL striker was named by Uefa as one of ten young female talents to watch in Europe.
      And the Man United starlet has netted eight goals in 22 WSL appearances in the past two seasons.
      And James’ efforts saw her receive her first England international call-up in November with brother Reece sharing a congratulatory post on Instagram.
      The football star siblings have publicly supported their endeavours and achievements on the pitch.
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      Lauren James has been linked with a move to WSL champions ChelseaCredit: EPA

      And some fans hope the duo could one day become the first brother and sister pairing to play for the same top tier English club.
      The transfer rumour mill has seen Lauren James heavily linked with a move to four-time WSL title-winners Chelsea.
      And speculation was fuelled by the Kingsmeadow club accidentally including her name as a choice for fans to print on the back of the new home kit. 
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      Chelsea won their first trophy under boss Thomas Tuchel 124 days after he took chargeCredit: Matthew Ashton/AMA
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      Team GB keeper Bardsley suffers hamstring injury putting Tokyo Olympics hopes at risk

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      KAREN BARDSLEY’S chances of playing at the Olympics appear to have taken a blow after she hurt her hamstring during a National Women’s Soccer League game. The Man City keeper who is on loan at OL Reign suffered the injury during their 1-0 loss to Washington Spirit in the United States. 
      Karen Bardsley sustained a hamstring injury during OL Reign’s 1-0 loss to Washington Spirit in the NWSLCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And it comes just days after the stopper was named in Hege Riise’s Team GB football squad. 
      Bardsley’s hamstring problem will come as a concern to Riise who chose the London 2012 Olympian and Ellie Roebuck as her preferred two goalkeepers in her 18-strong squad. 
      The veteran stopper will have around seven weeks to be fully fit ahead of Great Britain’s first match at the Tokyo Games against Chile on July 21.
      Bardsley, who has 81 England caps, is one of five players in the squad who represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics. 
      And the US-born stopper, whose family hail from Stockport, helped the team reach the quarter finals of the 2012 Games where they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Canada. 
      Should Bardsley’s injury affect her fitness, Riise has rising Everton star Sandy MacIver as part of her reserve group. 
      The Toffees keeper is travelling to Tokyo as one of four players serving as back-ups to the squad of 18.
      MacIver, who moved to Everton in 2020 from United States college team Clemson Tigers, made her senior England international debut in March this year. 
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      Everton’s Sandy MacIver is travelling as Team GB’s reserve keeper for Bardsley and Ellie RoebuckCredit: Getty

      The Everton stopper came on as a second-half substitute during England’s 6-0 trouncing of Northern Ireland. 
      The WSL ace kept six clean sheets in 18 top tier games for Willie Kirk’s Toffees who finished fifth in the league last term. 
      And the Everton boss has tipped MacIver to become one of the world’s best keepers following her string of stunning saves during Everton’s 3-1 loss to Man City in the 2020 Women’s FA Cup final. 
      Manchester City’s Ellie Roebuck is one of two keepers named in Hege Riise’s Team GB squadCredit: Getty
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      Tuchel hails the ‘strength’ of Emma Hayes’ Women’s Super League champs Chelsea

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      THOMAS TUCHEL saluted the grit of Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side following their double triumph this season.The Blues boss, whose team beat Man City to claim their second Champions League crown, hailed the WSL giants’ success in England and Europe.
      Champions League-winning boss Thomas Tuchel praised Chelsea’s success in the WSLCredit: Reuters
      Tuchel, who swapped Paris Saint-Germain for Chelsea this year after two seasons and a league title in France, was speaking before his side’s 1-0 defeat of Pep Guardiola’s stars. 
      And he applauded Hayes, 44, for making history by leading her team to their first-ever Champions League final. 
      And although Blues lost 4-0 to rivals Barcelona, they picked up their fourth WSL crown to register two silverware wins before the end of the season.
      The Conti Cup-winning club, who are currently the most successful side in the Women’s Super League era, could be on course for a trophy treble should they win this year’s FA Cup.
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      Hayes’ team will face Birmingham in the quarter-finals of the contest in September.
      Tuchel, 47, said: “There’s no doubt about it that they are a strong group of women with a strong group of players and a strong leader. 
      “And they can be very proud and we are very proud they got all of these titles.”
      Hayes and Tuchel have a warm working relationship cemented by a determination to turn their sides into the most dominant footballing forces on these shores and in Europe. 
      And the Kingsmeadow gaffer praised the forward-thinking coaching approach of the former Bundesliga boss who managed Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and PSG between 2009 and 2020.
      Emma Hayes led the Blues to their fourth Women’s Super League title winCredit: PA
      An approach that helped the Stamford Bridge giants win their first Eurpean trophy under Tuchel 124 days after the German took charge of the team.
      In May,  Hayes said: “I had a lovely encounter with Thomas Tuchel, he’s a fantastic guy, really open-minded and progressive coach. 
      “There’s a reason why the men’s team are performing like they are.

      Hayes, who won this term’s Women’s Super League Manager of the Season award, is due to make her debut as an ITV Sports pundit in June. 
      The Chelsea boss will be part of a star-studded panel offering insight and opinions on this year’s Euros. 
      Other big names from the women’s game on the panel include ex-England and Blues striker Eni Aluko and PSG forward Nadia Nadim.
      Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
      WSL Manager of the Season Hayes will be an ITV Sports pundit during the EurosCredit: Getty
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