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According to Sky Sports, Tottenham have pulled out of the race to sign Andre Gomes with Barcelona demanding a fee between £25m and £35m for the midfielder.

What’s the word, then?

Well, the north London-based outfit have decided to pull out of the race for the Portuguese international just hours after it was also reported that long-term target Jack Grealish would reject any advances for his signature this summer.

Gomes joined Barcelona from Valencia in 2016 in a deal worth £29.3m, although the 25-year-old struggled at the Camp Nou and arrived at Goodison Park on loan back in the summer.

Watch the best fails from the world of indoor football in the video below…

He impressed massively in just one season on Merseyside, winning over the Toffees supporters with his smooth, classy displays in the middle of the park alongside the more combative Idrissa Gueye – he would’ve been a decent signing for Mauricio Pochettino to make.

Fantastic news for Everton

Of course, when you have a player spend an entire season with you and everything goes well, you tend to be the immediate favourites to sign him on a permanent basis if you wish to do so.

Whilst Everton and boss Marco Silva have already expressed a desire to keep the elegant midfielder at the club, it would’ve been extremely difficult to land him if a team such as Spurs had seriously gotten involved.

This are Champions League finalists we’re talking about. Not only that, but a team with a clear plan and visible signs of improvement, not to mention the fact that they regularly qualify for Europe’s greatest club competition.

Oh, and their new state-of-the-art stadium; they really are an extremely enticing option for any player in world football right now, and they would’ve had serious pulling power over Everton.

The Toffees can count themselves lucky that such an attractive club has decided to pull out.

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According to The Sun, Barcelona are keen to take advantage of the current crisis at Manchester United with a £100m swoop for Marcus Rashford, who has arguably been one of the club’s best players this season.

The England international’s contract is up next summer and he is unwilling to sign a new deal at Old Trafford right now, which has alerted the Spanish champions to the situation.

Whilst that seems like a perfectly reasonable, normal scenario in the transfer market, the reported fee has left some eyebrows raised.

You won’t believe who Flying Pig United has named as Man Utd’s player of the season in the video below…

Rashford has scored 45 goals for his boyhood club in over 167 appearances, and whilst he is an impressive young talent, it is debatable whether or not he’s worth such an extortionate sum.

On the topic of the fee, Football FanCast’s writers have their say on whether or not the 21-year-old is worth that…

Matt Dawson

“Never in a million years is Marcus Rashford worth £100m and if Barcelona spend that kind of money on him then football has lost the plot. There’s no denying Rashford’s ability and potential but he isn’t anywhere near the level Barcelona require. The striker continues to improve year on year in an inconsistent United side, but for me, it would be incredibly questionable if a club were to pay such a large amount for him.”

Luke Glanville

“Ask this question in a couple of years’ time and the answer may be different. However, at the moment, Marcus Rashford is way too inconsistent to be considered Barcelona material. And as for that price tag, it is an absolute joke. But stranger things have happened in football, especially in the crazy modern era. Therefore, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Spanish giants saw his respectable haul of ten goals and seven assists in the Premier League this season as being worth that kind of money.”

James Beavis

“While I certainly don’t think Rashford should be valued at £100m, it would be no surprise if Barcelona ended up paying that fee. The 21-year-old is clearly hugely talented and I believe he would rip it up in La Liga given the attributes that he has. The issue for Barca is if they wait and Rashford becomes a world-beater at United then they may not be able to get him, so shelling out £100m for him now after a quiet season in general could prove to be a genius call. That said, Ed Woodward’s head would be on the line if Rashford did go, given he is already unpopular with fans and with the England international being a local lad.”

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Mauricio Pochettino wants Tottenham Hotspur to spend £150million this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

Spurs are seemingly set to invest in the playing squad when the transfer window reopens, having gone the past two without signing a single player.

What’s the word?

The Mail report that Pochettino will be given an initial kitty of £60m to spend before player sales are considered, but the report states that the majority of transfer revenue will be retained and spent on the playing staff.

Doubts persist over the futures of both Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen.

The defender, of course, has a £25m release clause embedded into his contract, while the report states that Spurs could cash in on Eriksen, with his deal set to expire at the end of next season.

Full-back Danny Rose, midfielder Victor Wanyama, winger Georges-Kevin N’Koudou will all reportedly be sold if bids come in, while Kieran Trippier and Fernando Llorente could also depart.

The Mail believe that could raise upwards of £100m to boost Pochettino’s spending power, with the club hoping to sign two central midfielders as well as an attacking player who can inject some creativity into the forward line.

Back him

Daniel Levy is absolutely right to throw some cash behind Pochettino.

The Argentine has worked miracles this season, with Spurs in the Champions League semi-finals and also fighting to finish in the Premier League top four.

Quite frankly, Pochettino deserves to be backed to the absolute hilt.

And while he may not have a say in the future of Alderweireld, his targets have to be brought in this summer.

Spurs stand on the precipice of something massive; major investment, then, is absolutely key if they are to take the next step.

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Manchester United fans on Twitter have been busy discussing the Independent’s story on Declan Rice, which suggests that the Red Devils are willing to break the bank in order to sign the West Ham man.

Rice only recently signed a new five-and-a-half year deal back in December, that saw his £3,000-a-week salary increase to £30,000, although United are prepared to dwarf that figure completely with their offer.

Watch the video below to find out what Jesse Lingard is like off the pitch in the latest Match Of The Bae with Emma Conybeare…

The England international has shone for the Hammers this season in a midfield role, earning plaudits left, right and centre, and has been so impressive that the Irons are set to demand in excess of £50m for their academy product.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also looking to sign Jadon Sancho, as the 20-time Premier League champions target a youthful overhaul and a new strategy in the transfer market.

Despite his blossoming reputation, loads of United fans on Twitter strangely don’t want to see the 20-year-old arrive at Old Trafford for such a huge amount of money…

[ad_pod ]After a miserable few months on the pitch, the QPR players were surely relishing the chance to take off their boots for a little while during the international break. There is no time for rest, though, and the R’s played out a thrilling friendly with Southampton on Wednesday instead.The Saints ran out 3-2 winners, with former Loftus Road favourite Charlie Austin netting his side’s opener in the first half. Steve McClaren’s men would go on to pull the score level not once, but twice, although Southampton’s Jake Vokins eventually put the game to bed.Austin left QPR in 2016 for a cut-price fee and how the Hoops could do with their former striker now. With seven league games left to go, they are eight points clear of the relegation zone but anything could happen judging by their recent form.Who are the best away fans in the Championship? Pl>ymaker FC’s Thogden gives his top 10 in the video below…Here’s how the Loftus Road faithful reacted to the 29-year-old’s appearance against them, with many pining for what would be a surprising return to the Championship club…

كشفت تقارير صحفية سبب مشاركة النجم الفرنسي عثمان ديمبلي، جناح برشلونة بشكل منفرد في التدريبات خلال فترة التوقف الدولية.

ديمبلي ذهب للتدريبات يوم الخميس 8 أكتوبر، وحرص على التدريب بشكل جاد، رغم منح المدرب راحة للاعبين (طالع التفاصيل).

وظل يفعل الأمر ذاته، لثلاث مرات بشكل مُتتالي.

وسائل الإعلام الإسبانية، حينها مثل “سبورت”، و”موندو ديبورتيفو” المُقربان من برشلونة، أنّ ديمبلي شارك في التدريبات بمُفرده طواعية منه، من أجل كسب ثقة المدرب الهولندي رونالدو كومان.

اقرأ أيضًا.. آس: ورطة دفاعية لـ كومان قبل مباراة برشلونة وخيتافي

وبحسب الصحفي الإسباني لويس كانوت، فإن كومان هو من طلب من ديمبلي التدرب بشكل مُنفرد.

وقال كانوت عبر قناة “Esport3” الكتالونية: “ديمبلي لم يذهب للتدريبات طواعية، ولكن ذلك كان بطلب من رونالد كومان”.

وأوضح: “الأمر لم يكن عقاب من كومان، ولكن كان من أجل استعادة لياقته بعدما أبعدته الإصابة عن العمل اللازم خلال الفترة التحضيرية”.

ديمبلي والذي يُعد سادس أغلى صفقة في برشلونة (96 مليون يورو)، تعرض لعدة إصابات منذ قدومه للبارسا، أثرت على مشاركته مع الفريق، لكنه لم يغادر رغم كثرة الأنباء حول إمكانية رحيله.

[ad_pod ]Aston Villa supporters were able to taste derby day victory on Sunday but their attentions now turn to Nottingham Forest, with a host of the Villa Park faithful on Twitter calling for John McGinn to start.McGinn was hugely influential for Villa during the Second City derby at the weekend, coming off the bench after the hour-mark at 0-0 to make a real impact as his side went on to beat their bitter rivals 1-0.The Scotsman only played 27 minutes but such was his influence during the game – and indeed throughout this season – that Villa fans are urging manager Dean Smith to name him on the team-sheet on Wednesday evening.A key theme among the reaction sees supporters claim that Glenn Whelan should be rested to make way for the Scot.24-year-old McGinn arrived in the summer of 2018 from Hibernian and has caught the eye in the Championship, claiming seven assists in 30 starts.

The 5 foot 10 Glaswegian had missed two games through suspension prior to the win over Birmingham, but Villa fans think he should now come straight back into the starting XI.

When the two clubs last met, they drew an incredible game 5-5 back in November, a match which the club’s number seven played 79 minutes in.

Here’s what supporters of the Villans have been saying.

كشف مصدر باتحاد الكرة عن تفاصيل الشكوى المقدمة من اللجنة الخماسية التي تُدير الاتحاد، برئاسة عمرو الجنايني، ضد مرتضى منصور، رئيس مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك، للجنة الأولمبية.

تلقت اللجنة الأولمبية مجموعة شكاوى رسمية ضد مرتضى منصور رئيس مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك على خلفية تصريحاته المثيرة ضد بعض الأشخاص في الوسط الرياضي المصري. طالع التفاصيل

أكد مصدر مسئول داخل اتحاد الكرة لـ بطولات: “تقدمت اللجنة الخماسية، اليوم، بمذكرة رسمية جديدة ضد مرتضى منصور، للجنة الأولمبية يطالب فيها بإيقافه من قبل اللجنة في ظل هجومه المتواصل على مسئولي اللجنة الخماسية”.

تابع: “تضمنت المذكرة تأكيدات على أن مرتضى منصور واصل خلال الأيام الماضية هجومه على مسئولي اللجنة الخماسية ومختلف لجان اتحاد الكرة بصورة غير مسبوقة، ومستمرًا في الخروج عن النص ويواصل إساءاته اليومية عبر قناة الزمالك الفضائية، ووصفت المذكرة ما يردده رئيس الزمالك بالأكاذيب”.

وواصل: “سبق للجنة الخماسية وأرسلت مذكرة رسمية وشكوى ضد رئيس الزمالك للجنة الأولمبية قبل عدة أيام”.

اختتم: “هذه هي الشكوى التي يُناقشها مجلس اللجنة الأولمبية بجانب شكاوى أخرى في حق مرتضى منصور مقدمة من عدة جهات أخرى، من بينها النادي الأهلي واتحاد اليد بعدد يصل إلى قرابة ١٧ شكوى رسمية”.

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West Ham’s Reece Oxford has completed a loan move to Augsburg until the end of the season – this will be his second spell with a German club, having spent the 17/18 season with Borussia Monchengladbach.

The youngster broke onto the scene in 2014 as a 16-year-old and won the man of the match award on his debut against Arsenal – the versatile centre-back was deployed at the base of midfield and enjoyed a match-high 95 per cent passing accuracy and was dispossessed just once.

However, since then he hasn’t had the four or so years in claret and blue that everyone surely expected him to have – the now 20-year-old has made just 17 total appearances for the Hammers, while 19-year-old Declan Rice has become a shoe-in for Manuel Pellegrini.

Who is West Ham’s worst ever signing? Check out the video above for a pretty strong candidate for the dubious honour…

Oxford will now, however, have another crack at the Bundesliga and will hope he can enjoy similar success to the likes of Jadon Sancho and Reiss Nelson, who have been sensational for Borussia Dortmund and Hoffenheim, respectively.

Although with Issa Diop and Angelo Ogbonna the only fit, recognised centre-backs available, the decision to loan out the former England U20 international is a bizarre one and may come back to haunt Pellegrini.

Here’s how the Irons fans reacted to the news on Twitter…

Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps has been named England Women's Player of the Year after her key role in their journey to the World Cup final.

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• Earps named player of the year
• Bronze came in second
• Greenwood got third place

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The goalkeeper was named the top performing player for the Lionesses over the last 12 months, beating Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood, who came in second and third respectively.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Earps, 30, played a crucial part in England's World Cup campaign, conceding just four goals in the competition to earn her the Golden Glove award. She was also player of the match in the Lionesses round of 16 win against Nigeria and helped lead the team to victory in the Women’s Finalissima against Brazil in April.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Earps' excellent 2023 started by her winning the Best FIFA Goalkeeper Award and she could end up retaining the award as she is among the candidates to take the prize home this year, too.

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  WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

  Earps will likely be involved when England face Scotland in the Nations League on Friday.