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AmaZulu attempt to buy into PSL fails

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Mpumalanga Black Aces’ deal with AmaZulu FC for Usuthu to buy Black Aces’ Premier Soccer League status has fallen through.

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Mpumalanga Black Aces’ deal with AmaZulu FC for Usuthu to buy Black Aces’ Premier Soccer League status has fallen through.

If the deal had been confirmed, AmaZulu would have played in the PSL next season, while Black Aces would have headed down to the National First Division.

Black Aces now say they are no longer selling because they had to abide by the decision of the senior committee of the Premier Soccer League.

Last season AmaZulu were relegated but had been trying to work on a deal to get back into the top flight.

“When we started the negotiations with AmaZulu, we understood that whatever we did and agreed on was dependent on what the PSL would decide, whether they would allow the deal or not,” read a statement released by Mario and George Morfou, who are co-chairmen of Aces.

“We have been notified that our agreement would not be authorised. We have accepted the decision with open hearts. These negotiations have not stopped us from preparing for next season's matches. In fact Black Aces is the first team to prepare for the next season and we will continue doing so.”

AmaZulu wanted to buy the rights for R45m, which both clubs had agreed on.

But the PSL wouldn’t play ball... Yesterday the league issued its own statement saying the deal was off. “On Wednesday, the PSL board met and discussed the deal between the two clubs and it was decided that the transaction should not be allowed.”.

The PSL gave no reasons for the decision.

Sources told The Mercury's sister newspaper, Isolezwe, that there was still a chance for AmaZulu to play in the top flight next season as there were other clubs that were willing to sell their places in the PSL.

“Because of the amount that is being offered by AmaZulu, there are other clubs willing to sell their rights,” the source said.

Previously, Tuks and Chippa United were clubs that were said to be interested.

When asked what would happen after the deal was ruled out, AmaZulu manager Japhet Zwane referred questions to general manager Peter O’Connor.

“We have to sit down and plan anew but I am not the right one to speak to about this. It needs people who were directly involved,” said Zwane.

Neither O'Connor nor AmaZulu marketing manager, Lunga Sokhela, answered messages requesting comment from them.

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RVP set for Fenerbache move

Manchester United striker Robin van Persie is on the brink of a £4.7m move to the Turkish club Fenerbahce.

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Manchester United's pursuit of a new striker has become an urgent priority, with Robin van Persie on the brink of a £4.7m move to the Turkish club Fenerbahce, after Louis van Gaal told the striker that he would be on the margins of the club next season.

The Netherlands forward is thought to be travelling to Turkey as early as this weekend to wrap up a four-year deal, which Fenerbahce announced on their website yesterday. That leaves United with only James Wilson, who remains unproven, and Wayne Rooney, whose injury record means he cannot be depended upon.

Bayern Munich are thought to be reluctant to sell Thomas Müller. Van Gaal is enthusiastic about the striker, whom he helped to develop when manager of the German club, although it may take a sum of at least £60m to secure Müller's services. The player admitted last week he was flattered by United's interest in him.

It is thought he could be tempted to join them if United - who will today present Memphis Depay as their player in a press conference at Old Trafford - are willing to meet his wage demands. The loss of Van Persie's £200,000-a-week wages removes a major burden for United.

The club also have an interest in Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, though as yet both the player and the north London club have shown no willingness to do business.

United have allowed Radamel Falcao to pursue a new loan deal with Chelsea and there is minimal prospect of Javier Hernandez, who has a broken collarbone, renewing a United career after his return from loan at Real Madrid.

Reports in Spain yesterday suggested that Real Madrid they will not pursue the Valencia centre-back Nicolas Otamendi because United have secured an agreement for the Argentine. That could be Madrid's choreographed way of attempting to encourage United to call off their pursuit of Sergio Ramos.

But United want Ramos - and are also close to completing the £13m signing of Italian international Matteo Darmian from Torino. Further moves are in the pipeline for Morgan Schneiderlin from Southampton now that Bastian Schweinsteiger is expected to stay with Bayern. – The Independent

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Hammers give Bilic winning start

West Ham United marked new manager Slaven Bilic's first match in the dugout with a 1-0 victory over Andorran side Lusitans in the second leg of their Europa League first qualifying round.

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West Ham United marked new manager Slaven Bilic's first match in the dugout with a 1-0 victory over Andorran side Lusitans in the second leg of their Europa League first qualifying round tie on Thursday.

The Croatian was not on the bench when the Londoners cantered to a 3-0 victory in the first leg last week, a move that irked Lusitans coach Xavi Roura.

The only goal in the return match came from Elliot Lee in the 21st minute.

West Ham, who finished 12th in the Premier League last season, had to play with 10 men for more than 75 minutes after forward Diafra Sakho was dismissed following a clash with a Lusitans defender.

Bilic's team must progress through three more rounds to reach the Europa League group stages. The second qualifying round begins next week. – Reuters

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Pirates ready to tackle Zamalek

Orlando Pirates host Egyptian giants Zamalek in their Caf Confederation Cup Group B clash in Nelspruit.

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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates host Egyptian giants Zamalek in their Caf Confederation Cup Group B clash in Nelspruit on Saturday.

The Buccaneers come off a 1-0 win over AC Leopards in Congo, while Zamalek also notched up a victory over CS Sfaxien by the same scoreline.

Sfaxien host Leopards Friday in a match neither club can now afford to lose.

Leopards will make the long trip north as underdogs, but they did manage a a 2-0 triumph over Sfaxien 2-0 three years ago en route to winning the competition.

Elsewhere, Al Ahly take a trip to Mali for a clash with Stade Malien on Sunday. The 19 African title winners Al Ahly come off a 3-0 thrashing of Tunisians Esperance in their previous match. Stade fell to 1-0 defeat the same weekend at Tunisians Etoile Sahel.

Al Ahly coach Fathi Mabrouk was unfazed by the staging of the match hours before Muslims break a daily dawn-to-dusk fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

“I will not force my players to stop fasting and eat before the game although they have a license to do so,” said Mabrouk.

“Our final training session will be held at the same time as the match so the players can get used to the conditions “

The other Group A fixture is a Tunisian derby between Esperance and Etoile Saturday in Tunis suburb Rades.

Fixtures

Group A

Esperance (Tunisia) vs Etoile du Sahel (Tunisia)

Stade Malien (Mali) vs Al Ahly (Egypt)

Group B

CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) vs AC Leopards (Congo)

Orlando Pirates (South Africa) vs Zamalek

ANA

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Tovey hails Safa approach

Newly-appointed Safa technical director Neil Tovey said keeping players busy would benefit the future of SA football.

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Johannesburg - Newly-appointed SA Football Association technical director Neil Tovey said keeping players busy would benefit the future of football in the country.

“This is what we have always said we want,” said Tovey.

“Keeping all our national teams and junior football busy. That is what will make us competitive as a nation,” said Tovey.

Currently, the Safa Under-17 Boys national championships are taking place at Nike Centre in Soweto. The tournament kicked off on Tuesday and ends on Sunday.

On the same day, the Women’s Under-20 national team, Basetsana will play Botswana in a World Cup qualifier first leg at Dobsonville Stadium. The Under-20 Women’s World Cup will take place in Papua Guinea next year.

The Boys Under-17 team, Amajimbos have been in camp for the past week in KwaZulu Natal gearing themselves for the World Cup which is scheduled to take place in Chile in October. Owen da Gama’s Under-23 side will square up against Zimbabwe July 19 at Rufaro Stadium in a Rio 2016 Olympic qualifier.

Banyana Banyana go into camp this coming Sunday to start preparing for the Olympics qualifying encounter against Kenya July 18 at Dobsonville Stadium.

ANA

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Argentina top Fifa rankings

Argentina have moved to the top of the Fifa rankings despite being beaten by Chile in the Copa America final.

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London - Argentina have moved to the top of the Fifa rankings for the first time in seven years despite being beaten by Chile in the Copa America final.

Argentina lost on penalties in Santiago on Saturday but Gerardo Martino's side rose two places to top the rankings a year after losing to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final. Chile's victory moved them up eight spots to 11th.

Argentina's rise to the top means Germany and Belgium each drop a place to second and third respectively.

Following a string of solid results, Wales have risen to their highest ever world ranking of 10th, earning them a Pot 1 seeding in Uefa's 2018 World Cup qualifiers draw behind held later this month.

A 1-0 win over Belgium in Euro 2016 qualifying last month moved Chris Coleman's side to the top of Group B on 14 points from six matches.

England moved up to ninth, one place behind Romania.

Fifa world rankings published on Thursday (June position in parentheses):

1. Argentina (3)

2. Germany (1)

3. Belgium (2)

4. Colombia (4)

5. Netherlands (6)

6. Brazil (5)

7. Portugal (7)

8. Romania (12)

9. England (15)

10. Wales (22) - Reuters

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Cech set for Arsenal debut

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is likely to make his Arsenal debut in Singapore next week after being named in Arsene Wenger's 27-player squad for the Barclays Asia Trophy.

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Goalkeeper Petr Cech is likely to make his Arsenal debut in Singapore next week after being named Thursday in Arsene Wenger's 27-player squad for the Barclays Asia Trophy.

The 33-year-old Czech international joined Arsenal last month on a “long-term contract for an undisclosed fee” from Premier League champions Chelsea after more than a decade at Stamford Bridge.

“I'm really excited about joining Arsenal Football Club and can't wait to join up for pre-season,” Cech said last month.

He was among those named in Wenger's squad for this year's edition of the biennial tournament to be held in Singapore.

The north Londoners face a Singapore Select XI team at the city-state's National Stadium on Wednesday, July 15, while fellow Premier League sides Stoke and Everton face off in the first match of a double-header on the same day.

The winners will face each other in the final on Saturday, July 18, with the losers contesting a third-place playoff the same day.

Arsenal left out striker Alexis Sanchez of Chile and goalkeeper David Ospina of Colombia following their recent involvement in the Copa America, while Serge Gnabry is also being rested after being involved in the European Under-21 Championship with Germany, the club said in a statement on their website.

“Danny Welbeck and Tomas Rosicky will stay in England to recover from minor injuries but Calum Chambers will travel to Singapore, as will France Under-17 international Jeff Reine-Adelaide, who joined the club from Lens,” it added.

The event was last held in Hong Kong two years ago where Manchester City won the trophy after beating Sunderland 1-0 in the final of a tournament which also involved Tottenham Hotspur.

Cech made more than 400 appearances during his 11 years with Chelsea, winning 13 major trophies including four Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the 2012 Champions League. He was voted the club's player of the year in 2011. – AFP

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Sterling may live to regret his actions

Raheem Sterling’s refusal to go on tour with Liverpool and failure to pitch for training has not gone down well in many qaurters.

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Two months ago Pierre van Hooijdonk sat in a bar in a Turin hotel and reflected on the time when he effectively withdrew his labour from Nottingham Forest in 1998.

Unhappy at the club’s transfer business and their refusal to sell him, the striker went home to Holland and stayed there.

Now, 17 years on, Van Hooijdonk maintains that he was let down by Forest following a promotion to the Premier League that had been built largely on his goals. Crucially, however, he regrets his decision to go on strike.

‘It’s one of the main things that people remember about me,’ Van Hooijdink, 45, told me.

‘I achieved some memorable things in football but in England they always talk about that and that’s a shame.

‘Sometimes things happen in your life that you look back on and realise they could have been handled differently.’

One wonders what advice Van Hooijdonk would offer Raheem Sterling today.

The young Liverpool player has not taken his dispute with his club to Van Hooijdonk’s lengths yet but the situation does appear to be heading in that direction. In suggesting he does not wish to travel on the club’s pre-season tour and calling in sick yesterday, Sterling has made his disinterest in life at Anfield very clear.

The immediate consequences for him are certainly different from those that faced Van Hooijdonk at Forest in the late 1990s. Sterling will, in all likelihood, get his desired move to Manchester City this summer. Van Hooijdonk eventually had to return to Nottingham and face his team-mates, manager and supporters.

What Van Hooijdonk spoke about, however, remains relevant. He was talking about enduring damage to his reputation in a sport he loves. An intelligent man who is still playing at amateur level in Holland, he knows his decision in the summer of 1998 has followed him through life.

It is this that Sterling may wish to chew on today, as indeed may his agent Aidy Ward.

Van Hooijdonk was well represented during his career but made his decision to walk out of the City Ground against the advice of people close to him. Sterling seems to make many of his decisions almost by committee, but it will be he who is left with questions to answer if he fails to impress at City or if he struggles for England.

Remember, he already has a record that includes feeling tired on international duty.

In football, performances on the field are ultimately what matter. If and when they start to waver, perceptions relating to personality come into play.

Van Hooijdonk knows all about that. His actions almost two decades ago did not define his career but people remember them and from now on will remember Sterling’s, too.

There are many ways of engineering a transfer. This, sadly, is not one of the best. – Daily Mail

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Casillas linked with Porto move

Real Madrid goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas is on the verge of joining Portuguese side Porto after 16 seasons with the La Liga club he joined as a boy.

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Madruid - Real Madrid goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas is on the verge of joining Portuguese side Porto after 16 seasons with the La Liga club he joined as a boy, it was widely reported in Spanish media on Wednesday.

Casillas, 34, became a hero for club and country during a glittering career, when he won titles including three Champions Leagues with Real and the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.

However, he had lost some of the sheen that earned him the nickname “Saint Iker” in recent years and was regularly whistled by disgruntled Real fans at the Bernabeu stadium last term as the world's richest club ended the campaign without major silverware.

Porto, coached by Spaniard Julen Lopetegui, are close to concluding talks on a two-year deal, with an option for a third season, with only the player's salary to be agreed, reports said.

Casillas has a contract with Real until the end of the 2016-17 season. – Reuters

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Arteta gets contract extension

Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has signed a one-year contract extension, the Premier League club announced.

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London - Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta has signed a one-year contract extension, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old Spanish midfielder joined the north London club from Everton in 2011 and has since made 136 appearances - winning the FA Cup in 2014 and 2015.

“He will stay with us for one more year because he has extended his contract,” manager Arsene Wenger told the club's official website (www.arsenal.com).

“He's one of the leaders in the club because he's the captain of the team. I expect him to contribute much more than last season but he also faces a battle.

“With the number of games we have ahead, we could use his experience, his desire and his quality as it will be vital for next season.”

Arsenal will compete in the Community Shield against Premier League champions Chelsea at Wembley Stadium next month. – Reuters

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Pirates out to upset Zamalek

Orlando Pirates’ quest to conquer Africa once again continues when they host Egyptian giants Zamalek.

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Johannesburg - Orlando Pirates’ quest to conquer Africa once again continues when they host Egyptian giants Zamalek in their second Group B match in the CAF Confederations Cup at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.

The Buccaneers began their group stage campaign with the best result possible two weeks ago when they beat Congolese club, AC Leopards 1-0 away from home.

The 1995 CAF Champions League winners are a proven force in the continental competitions and reached the final of the Champions League yet again in 2013. However they lost out 3-1 on aggregate to Al Ahly, after holding the Egyptians to a 1-1 draw at the Orlando Stadium, before losing 2-0 in Cairo.

Most of the players that were in that squad are still part of the Pirates team, and they carry an enormous amount of experience of playing in Africa, hence the team continues to get good results in the competition.

The likes of Rooi Mahamutsa, Lehlohonolo Masalesa, Sifiso Myeni, Thabo Matlaba, Siyabonga Sangweni, Happy Jele, Mpho Makola and captain Oupa Manyisa have made things a little bit easier for players who are playing in the continental competition for the first time like Thabo Rakhale.

The skilful winger has been a key part of Eric Tinkler’s team since returning to the club last year, after being loaned out to Polokwane City.

“Well, so far it has been good playing in the Confederations Cup. I mean we have been doing very well as a team and we are taking each game as it comes by giving our all which has led to the positive results,” said Rakhale.

“Like any other game, it is going to be a tough against Zamalek, but we will be up for it.

“We are playing at home and we have to use that to our advantage so that we can get the maximum points.”

Pirates have been knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Champions League three times.

In 1996 and 1997 they were sent packing by Nigeria’s Shooting Stars. And in 2004, they lost out to Malawi’s Bakili Bullets.

Meanwhile, Zamalek will be looking to settle a score with Pirates over the weekend.

The last time the two teams met was in the Champions League, where the Buccaneers hammered the Egyptians 4-1 at home, before losing 2-1 away.

The Star

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Hummels commits to Dortmund

In-demand Germany defender Mats Hummels will stay with Borussia Dortmund for another year.

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Singapore - In-demand Germany defender Mats Hummels will stay with Borussia Dortmund for another year but offered no assurances about his long-term future.

The 26-year-old World Cup winner has been linked heavily with a move to English outfit Manchester United and admitted to being flattered by the interest.

But having seen a number of team mates, such as Mario Goetze and Robert Lewandowski, leave the club in recent seasons, Hummels was not ready to depart Dortmund yet.

“There have always been rumours about almost every one of our players, but I decided not to make the move this year,” Hummels told reporters in Singapore on Wednesday ahead of a pre-season friendly over the Malaysian border on Thursday.

“Of course when the big clubs are interested, and Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, it's an honour. But I decided I wanted to stay here.”

Hummels, who begun his career with Bayern Munich, has another two years left on his contract with Dortmund, who are now coached by Thomas Tuchel after Juergen Klopp stepped down last season. – Reuters

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Spurs confirm Alderweireld deal

Tottenham Hotspur have signed Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld on a five-year contract, the Premier League club said.

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London - Tottenham Hotspur have signed Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld on a five-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old spent last season on loan with Southampton, making 26 Premier League appearances, and had been linked in media reports with a permanent move to St Mary's.

But the Belgium international will join countrymen Jan Vertonghen, Moussa Dembele and Nacer Chadli at White Hart Lane after joining Spurs for a fee reported in British media to be around 11.5 million pounds.

“I'm very proud to be a Tottenham player. I'm happy to be here and hope to have a wonderful time with this team,” the club's twitter feed quoted him as saying. – Reuters

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Barca’s Turan can only play in January

Barcelona's new midfield playmaker Arda Turan said it will be tough for him not being able to play until January due to a ban on the club on registering players.

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Barcelona - Barcelona's new midfield playmaker Arda Turan has said it will be tough for him not being able to play until January due to a ban on the club on registering players.

Barca agreed to sign the Turkey captain from Atletico Madrid on Monday and Spanish media have reported the European champions may send Arda out on loan until 2016, possibly to his former club Galatasaray.

Fifa banned Barca from two transfer windows after they were deemed to have broken rules on the signing of foreign under-18 players, although they are allowed to buy and sell and have also added versatile wide player Aleix Vidal from Sevilla.

“It's going to be hard not playing for six months but the important thing is that I will play for Barca,” Arda said in an interview with Spanish radio late on Tuesday.

“I will work until I am able to make my debut in January and I will help the team to win all the trophies,” said the 28-year-old, adding that it will be a “dream” for him to play in the same team as the likes of forwards Lionel Messi and Neymar and midfielder Andres Iniesta.

Barca, who won a treble of Champions League and Spanish league and Cup titles last season, signed Arda to give coach Luis Enrique an extra creative option in midfield but also due to the club's links with Turkey and Turkish companies.

Domestic appliance maker Beko and tyre manufacturer Lassa are two of Barca's sponsors, while the club's 2.3 million Turkish Facebook fans put the nation seventh in the ranking of followers around the world.

The deal to sign Arda was complicated by the fact that Barca are in the midst of a presidential election campaign and are being administered by a special commission, which had to approve the transfer.

The commission included an unusual clause which means whoever wins the July 18 election has the option within two days of selling Arda back to Atletico less 10 percent of the fixed fee of 34 million euros ($37.59 million). – Reuters

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Latest transfer gossip

We have a brief look at the latest football transfer gossip.

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Tottenham hope to finalise the £11.5m deal to sign Toby Alderweireld from Atletico Madrid today. The Belgium defender, 26, had a medical yesterday and has agreed terms on a four-year deal. FULHAM have signed midfielder Jamie O’Hara, 28, on a one-year contract.

West Ham have agreed an £8m deal with Juventus for centre back Angelo Ogbonna to beat off competition from Everton. Ogbonna, 27, is due in London this week for a medical. However, West Ham fear Barcelona midfield target Alex Song’s injury may be serious.

Manchester United are closing in on a £15million deal for Torino right back Matteo Darmian.

The Italians have offers from three clubs but Torino will sell to United for an initial £12.7m plus add-ons.

Club president Urbano Cairo wants the 25-year-old Italy international’s future resolved before pre-season training begins on Sunday. Darmian can play at centre back and right back and has also filled in on the left. His versatility is an added bonus for United boss Louis van Gaal.

United are still keen on Morgan Schneiderlin of Southampton and Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller, 25. The Germany international had another row with coach Pep Guardiola on Monday, but Bayern are reluctant to sell.

Southampton, who signed defender Cuco Martina from FC Twente yesterday, have enquired about Marseille midfielder Mario Lemina, 21, as a possible replacement for Schneiderlin, 25.

Sevilla have bid again for Stoke City midfielder Steven Nzonzi.

Atletico Madrid want Filipe Luis back on loan, but Chelsea would rather recoup most of the £16m paid for the Brazilian last summer. Chelsea want Abdul Baba Rahman from Augsburg but have yet to bid.

Aston Villa are stepping up their bid to sign Nice left back Jordan Amavi, 21.

Leeds are leading the chase to sign Everton’s David Henen on loan ahead of Derby, Wolves and Bolton.

Bastia are showing an interest in Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who could leave for free. – Daily Mail

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