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MANCHESTER UNITED COMPLETES AMAD DIALLO CAPTURE FROM ATALANTA.

Manchester United have completed the signing of teenage sensation Amad Diallo from Serie A outfit Atalanta.
As confirmed by the club’s official website, Premier League giants Manchester United have confirmed the arrival of Ivorian winger Amad Diallo from Serie A side Atalanta BC.

The 18-year-old winger joined the Atalanta youth setup in 2015 and has risen through the youth ranks quite rapidly. Diallo broke into the club’s Primavera outfit back in 2018, at the age of just 16 and made rapid strides over the years. In 46 appearances, he bagged 13 goals and 15 assists, forcing his way into the first-team last season.

Diallo made his senior debut for La Dea in October 2019 and has since added four more appearances at the highest level, two of which have come in the ongoing season. Despite his limited experience at the first-team level, the 18-year-old is considered as one of the brightest prospects to have come through in Italy in recent years.

Manchester United had reached an agreement with Atalanta for the signing of the Ivorian back on the deadline day of the summer transfer window itself. However, a move was held due to work-permit issues while a medical and agreement on personal terms were also pending.

Now all the steps have been completed, with an application made for his visa. Once that is issued, the 18-year-old will be able to travel and train with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

“After waiting since the summer, it is finally a dream come true to complete my move to Manchester United. I am hugely ambitious and there is so much that I want to achieve in the game; when I spoke to the manager I knew that I had joined the perfect club,” Diallo said, having completed the transfer.

“This is a really exciting squad with so many great players, I can promise that I will work hard every day to learn from them and give everything to develop my game.”

Solskjaer welcomed the latest addition to his squad, saying: “As a club, we have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game. Manchester United has such a proud history of developing young players and everything is in place to enable Amad to reach his potential here.”

According to Sky Sports, Manchester United paid £37.2 million to secure Diallo’s signing. The Ivorian is said to have signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester United, that runs till 2025, with the club retaining the option of extending it by another year.

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WESTHAM’S HALLER NEARS €25M AJAX MOVE.

West Ham striker Sebastien Haller is close to sealing a move to the Eredivisie with Dutch giants Ajax.

Reports say the striker, 26, is the subject of ongoing negotiations between the two clubs.

The fee for his services is likely to reach around €25 million (£22.6m/$31m), with a meeting scheduled on Thursday to finalise the agreement between all the parties.

Haller is well-regarded in the Netherlands, having shined in the country during a previous spell in the Eredivisie.

From 2015 to 2017 the Ivory Coast international starred with Utrecht, having landed at the club after struggling to establish himself at Auxerre.

He netted a total of 51 goals in 98 games for Utrecht, form which earned him a transfer to the Bundesliga with Frankfurt.

And after two years in Germany, West Ham swooped in 2019 to make him part of their squad in a £45 million transfer.

Haller, however, has never Tully convinced in the Premier League, starting just 10 games in the current campaign.

A stunning overhead kick against Crystal Palace back in December was a rare moment of celebration for the forward, who expressed his hopes that the goal would help him build his confidence and remain in David Moyes’ plans.

“To be honest, I used to score a goal like that every season, so I’m used to it!” he explained to West Ham’s official website.

“I think it’s kind of special and I’m just happy because it was a beautiful goal and it helped us to get one point. I think we deserved three and we should have gone for the three, but I’m happy.

“I got two last season, against Watford and Bournemouth, so hopefully I can get another one on Monday at Chelsea – that’s the only thing I’d ask for, a goal like that! “It’s good for the eyes, for the confidence and for everything, but a goal is a goal so at the end it’s just one goal.”

Haller, who represented France throughout the youth divisions before opting to represent Ivory Coast at senior level, has played 54 games in all competitions for West Ham to date, scoring 14 goals.

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NEWCASTLE AGREE DEAL IN PRINCIPLE TO SIGN UNITED’S BRANDON WILLIAMS.

Newcastle have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to sign Brandon Williams on loan from Manchester United. Williams was promoted to United’s first team last season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and was regularly called upon in the starting line-up.

The 20-year-old made 36 appearances in all competitions and scored in the 3-3 draw against Sheffield United.

He’s proven to be a versatile option for Solskjaer with his ability to play on either side of defence as well as being deployed further up the pitch.

But his minutes have diminished this season following the arrival of Alex Telles on deadline day last summer.

Williams has only made one cameo appearance off the bench in the league this season with Telles and Luke Shaw the preferred options at left-back.

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SALAH NOT RULING OUT MOVES TO SPANISH GIANTS IN LA LIGA.

Mohamed Salah has said his Liverpool future is “in the club’s hands” and was “very disappointed” to be overlooked for the captaincy in their Champions League match with FC Midtjylland this month.

Salah, 28, expected to wear the armband for the final group D game on Dec. 9 with Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum on the bench and James Milner and Virgil van Dijk both injured.

Manager Jurgen Klopp picked 22-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold as captain instead, and Salah responded by scoring a first-minute goal in a 1-1 draw.

“Honestly, I was very disappointed,” Salah who scored a first-minute goal in the 1-1 draw with Midtjylland, told Diario AS. “I was expecting to be the captain. But it’s the manager’s decision. I accept it.”

Salah has been regularly linked with La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona during a hugely successful three-and-a-half years at Anfield since joining from Roma in 2017.

His goals helped fire Liverpool to the Champions League trophy in 2019 and the Premier League, ending a 30-year wait for the club, in 2020.

“I think Madrid and Barcelona are top clubs,” he said. “We never know what’s going to happen in the future. Right now I’m focused on winning the Premier League and the Champions League again with [Liverpool].”

Salah’s contract at Anfield runs until June 2023.

“That’s a tough one,” he said, when asked how long he would stay. “Right now I can say everything is in the club’s hands. Of course I want to break records here, every record at the club, but everything is in the club’s hands.”

Salah and the Reds were back in action on Sunday, with the Egyptian scoring twice in a 7-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace.

When asked about Salah’s comments after the win vs. Palace, Klopp merely laughed and said: “Nothing to say about that on my side.”

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BARNSLEY MAKE BALOTELLI INQUIRY.

Former Italy striker Mario Balotelli could be moving to Barnsley as the Championship side enquire about his availability. Balotelli is a free agent after leaving his hometown club of Brescia in June 2020. The 30-year-old is currently training with Serie D side Franciacorta to maintain his fitness.

According to reports, discussions between Barnsley’s co-chairmen Chien Lee and Paul Conway and Balotelli’s representatives have taken place. Barnsley are currently 16th in the Championship, however, signing Balotelli could be a boost to their chances of survival.

However, there are plenty of hurdles in the way of this potential deal.

Mario Balotelli is represented by ‘super agent’ Mino Raiola who is known as a tough negotiator. Additionally, the Tykes will need to be able to cover Balotelli’s likely wage demands. As well as this, a drop into the Championship may not tempt Balotelli as he has played in the Premier League previously.

There have also been reports of interest from Watford after their relegation to the Championship.

If the deal does go through, it will be the third stint in England for the former Liverpool and Manchester City striker. Since leaving England in 2015, Balotelli’s career has been somewhat patchy, another potential deterrent to clubs.

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UNITED STALLING ON ROMERO DECISION AS HENDERSON RUMOURED TO LEAVE OLD TRAFFORD ON LOAN.

Manchester United are delaying a decision on Sergio Romero’s future until a plan for Dean Henderson’s development is finalised, reports say.

Romero is keen to leave Old Trafford after being omitted from the Premier League and Champions League squads by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

There is interest in the Argentina international at home and abroad ahead of a possible move in January but United are unlikely to make a decision until Henderson’s immediate future is resolved.

After returning from a successful loan spell at Sheffield United in the summer, Henderson is content with his role at the club for now but has been told by England manager Gareth Southgate he will need to play more regularly if he hopes to challenge Everton’s Jordan Pickford for the No.1 spot at the European Championships.

It opens up the possibility that Henderson, who has started three games this season, could be allowed to secure a loan move in January to boost his chances of ousting Pickford, who has come under fire for his performances at Goodison Park, before the tournament.

Henderson’s temporary departure would increase Romero’s chances of having to stay put until at least the summer when he could be a free agent.

The 33-year-old, valued at between £8 million and £10m by United, is under contract until the end of the season while the club also hold an option to extend his deal for another 12 months.

Solskjaer is keen to keep hold of an established No. 2 goalkeeper to provide cover for David De Gea during a season which could see his team play more than 60 games. His third choice is 37-year-old Lee Grant, who has made just two first team appearances in two-and-a-half years.

Meanwhile, United will not be releasing defender Victor Lindelof to play for Sweden against Denmark because of UK quarantine rules imposed on travel to and from Denmark.

Lindelof will instead go straight to Stockholm and could play against Croatia and France in the Nations League if he is passed fit.

The 26-year-old has been struggling with a back injury which meant he was an unused substitute for the 2-1 Champions League defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir although he was able to return for the 3-1 win over Everton on Saturday.

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DANNY WELBECK JOINS BRIGHTON.

Brighton & Hove Albion have announced the signing of free agent Danny Welbeck on a one-year contract.

The 29-year-old striker has made a total of 224 Premier League appearances, scoring 44 goals and adding 20 assists during spells with Manchester United, Arsenal and most recently Watford.

“We are delighted to have Danny joining us. He will complement our existing striking options,” Brighton head coach Graham Potter told the club’s official website.

“He’s got an undoubted pedigree, and he is quick and technically very good. He will add to our attacking threat and we are thrilled to add another player of his experience and quality.”

Welbeck will wear the No 18 shirt and could be available when the Seagulls host West Bromwich Albion on 26 October.

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CHAMPIONSHIP SIDES IN RACE TO SIGN OUT OF FAVOUR LIVERPOOL MIDFIELDER.

Derby County and Swansea are leading the race to sign Harry Wilson on loan from Liverpool.

Liverpool want to send Wilson out on loan after they failed to sell him during the main transfer window and Swansea and Derby are among five clubs keen to sign him.

Wilson, 23, had a successful loan period with Derby two seasons ago when the Wales winger helped them reach the Championship play-off final.

Swansea are also showing strong interest and Liverpool have good relations with the Swans because of the progress Rhian Brewster made with them while on loan last season.

Liverpool and Wilson agree that he needs to leave Anfield to play regularly and he is not part of Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans.

The Reds have a host of options in midfield with summer signing Thiago only adding to the competition.

While in attack Klopp has a fully functioning trio and added Diogo Jota from Wolves in the summer.

Wilson’s appearance in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup defeat to Arsenal was only his second for the Reds and his first since making his debut in an FA Cup tie against Plymouth in January 2017.

Wilson spent last season on loan at Bournemouth where he was one of their more impressive performers despite their relegation.

The Welshman was second in the Cherries’ goalscoring charts having notched seven times in 35 games.

Wilson has also had loan spells away at Crewe and Hull City earlier in his career.

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MANCHESTER UNITED BLOCKED ROMERO’S MOVE TO EVERTON- REPORTS

Manchester United goalkeeper, Sergio Romero was denied a move to Everton on international transfer deadline day, according to reports.

Romero was left annoyed by the decision not to allow him to join the Toffees from those at Old Trafford.

Everton made a deadline day move to sign Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero from Manchester United. The Merseyside side had offered to cover Romero’s £100,000-a-week wages in their entirety, with the addition of a £2 million loan fee. However, Manchester United rejected this, instead demanding £8 million for a full sale.

It is also claimed that there are suspicions that Manchester United didn’t want to strengthen a rival, given Everton’s positive start to the season.

Romero now finds himself as Manchester United’s third-choice goalkeeper and understandably wants to be allowed to leave the club to find more regular football.

He has been an excellent servant to the club, since joining in 2015. Romero was signed on a free by Dutch manager Louis van Gaal, who had previously worked with him at AZ Alkmaar.

However, since Dean Henderson‘s return from his loan at Sheffield United, Romero looks to have no way into the team. It’s understandable that the goalkeeper would seek a departure.

Everton had been looking for some competition for England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. Pickford has made a series of mistakes over the last year or so and the club needs a reliable back-up, that could also force Pickford to step up on his performances. Following the rejection from Manchester United, Everton signed AS Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen on loan instead. So, whilst the domestic window remains open, the Toffees are no longer looking for a new goalkeeper.

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SUAREZ ‘COULD HAVE STAYED’ – RONALD KOEMAN.

Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman had been clear in his intention not to include Luis Suarez in his plans for the Catalans, but the Dutch manager now says the Uruguayan star could have stayed to prove him wrong.

Contrary to previous reports, Koeman said he did not have any problem with Suarez. He insisted that the 33-year-old would have been treated the same as the rest at Camp Nou if the latter had opted to stay instead of moving to Atletico Madrid.

“In the case of Suarez, it had become very difficult for him to start playing and I made that known to him. He found it difficult, but I never had any trouble with him at all,” Koeman said.

“He trained normally, trained well. He finally made the choice to leave and I said: ‘If you don’t leave, for whatever reason, then you are just one of the group, then you can prove that I was wrong’. He could have stayed, yes,” he continued.

Koeman said his choice not to include Suarez in his blueprint for Barca’s future was in part due to the star striker’s age, with the club slowly setting the table for the youngsters to take over.

“I’m good with Luis, but the club felt that we had to rejuvenate,” the 57-year-old coach said. “You can see that now in the team. Ansu Fati plays, he is 17 years old. We have Pedri, 17 years old, who gets his chances. Ronald Araujo is there at the age of 21. Trincao falls in a lot and is 20 years old, and we have taken Sergino Dest, who is 19. Those are all players for the future.”

Koeman’s statement was a counter to Suarez’s recent claim that Barcelona wanted him away from Lionel Messi.

Suarez signed a two-year deal with Atletico Madrid in September in a transfer that was denounced by the Argentine captain. In his farewell post for his friend on Instagram, Messi took a dig at his club, accusing Barcelona of “kicking” Suarez out.

“I think they wanted to remove me from Messi’s side,” Suarez said in an interview, claiming that there are “a lot of contradictions” in the accounts being stated by Barcelona.

“Maybe it annoyed them that I had a good relationship with Leo,” he added. “Perhaps they didn’t want him to be with me so much. I can’t find any reason to think that would damage the team, though.”