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Bayern Munich have reportedly set a price-tag on Real Madrid-target Alphonso Davies and are also lining up a replacement for the full-back.

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Bayern meet with Davies' agentLeft-back demanding a steep hike in wagesMadrid reportedly have verbal agreementGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

According to , a clandestine meeting took place in Munich between Davies' advisor Nick Huoseh and Bayern's sports director Christoph Freund to discuss the player's future, which now hangs in the balance.

Davies, 23, currently under contract until 2025, is pressing for a substantial salary increase if he has to sign an early and long-term contract extension. However, Bayern are seemingly reluctant to meet his demands as they are not entirely impressed with his recent performances. Davies is currently sidelined due to a muscle injury but is expected to return to the squad for the upcoming fixture against Freiburg.

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Should Davies deny to sign a contract extension, Bayern are prepared to offload him in the summer transfer window. The report mentions that the Bayern hierarchy anticipates Davies' departure and are already preparing for an impending exit of the defender.

DID YOU KNOW?

Meanwhile, discussions between Real Madrid and Davies' management have been ongoing for months. It is understood that negotiations are progressing smoothly regarding the financial package and there should be no issues with agreeing to a deal.

However, the stumbling block remains the transfer fee. Real Madrid are reportedly willing to offer a total package of €40 million (£34m/$43m) to €50m (£43m/$54m), with an initial bid of around €35m (£30m/$38m) expected. Bayern believe that Los Blancos will do everything to pay the minimum as the player will have just one year left in his contract in the summer of 2024.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

As the situation unfolds, all eyes turn to Max Eberl, who is set to assume the role of sports director on Monday. Eberl faces the arduous task of navigating this intricate negotiation swiftly. In the background, it is believed that Bayern have already shortlisted a potential successor to Davies, with Theo Hernandez from AC Milan emerging as the frontrunner.

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Newcastle United supporters have been delighted with the quality of Sean Longstaff’s performances since he broke into the side against Chelsea, and a recent report suggests that his growing reputation extends beyond the North East.

What’s the word?

According to a recent report published by The Chronicle, Longstaff is being monitored by England after impressing in recent weeks, with his success in nullifying the threat of Christian Eriksen cited as an indicator to illuminate the standard of his performance on Saturday.

England’s U21 team are set to face Poland and Germany during the next international break, and Aidy Boothroyd could be inclined to call him up for the very first time.

The same report claims that Ireland and Scotland have looked into his family history in the past to assess his eligibility, but he is only available to represent England at international level.

Mature and game-changing performance against Man City could be the key

Longstaff has been impressive in a handful of outings so far this season, but it was his ability to restrict a typically fluid Man City side from building any momentum which particularly impressed.

The 21-year-old academy product was a relentless worker alongside Isaac Hayden in midfield, depriving City of expressing their flair and creativity in condensed central areas.

His moment of genius, though, arrived with the score tied at 1-1 as he showcased a maturity beyond his years to sniff out the opportunity to dispossess Fernandinho and ultimately win the penalty which enabled Newcastle to claim all three points.

The manner in which Longstaff outsmarted the Brazilian lynchpin – comfortably the best midfield anchor in the Premier League right now – was indicative of his enormous potential to grow in the game; the awareness and anticipation of the interception was outstanding for a player of his limited experience.

The faith Rafa Benitez has placed in Longstaff’s ability has clearly provided him with the confidence to express himself at the top level, and an international call-up would represent just reward for his fine start to life in Newcastle’s senior squad.

Everton are finally set to receive some good news as Burnley, Leeds United and Southampton plan to withdraw their case to sue the Toffees.

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Everton handed 10-point deductionFurther punishment a possibility Trio of clubs withdraw plan to sueGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

According to the, the recently relegated trio are set to seek a negotiated settlement instead of suing the club, after Everton were deducted 10 points following Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches.

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Everton were previously at risk of being handed a further nine point deduction, which put them at risk of being plunged into administration, after the three clubs looked for £300million ($374m) in compensation.

DID YOU KNOW?

The 10-point deduction for the Toffees is the most serve punishment in the history of the top flight of English football, with the club now sitting in 19th place following the penalty and 3-0 defeat to Manchester United. Fans used the game as an opportunity to protest heavily against the deduction and treatment by the Premier League.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR EVERTON?

Despite the heavy deduction, Everton remain hopeful of their chances of survival, with the club just five points away from Luton Town in 17th. Sean Dyche and his side are now preparing for a tough trip to Nottingham Forest, who have only lost one game at the City Ground this season.

Former Arsenal and England forward Jodie Taylor has announced her retirement after 21 years in the game.

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Taylor retires at 37Made 51 appearances for EnglandWon Champions League with LyonWHAT HAPPENED?

At the age of 37, the forward has decided to call time on a career that saw her play in six countries and represent her country 51 times.

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Taylor's senior career began at Tranmere Rovers in 2002 and took her to the United States, Canada, Australia, Sweden and France before she returned to England to join Arsenal this year.

She won trophies with Birmingham, Goteborg and Melbourne before helping Lyon to Champions League success in 2020.

The forward was also a World Cup finalist with England in 2015 and won the Euro 2017 Golden Boot before claiming the SheBelieves Cup two years later.

WHAT THEY SAID

"I am at peace with the decision to retire and it's my choice. I think [that] is really important. [It's] really fortunate that I'm in the position to make that decision for myself," she said.

"I think before I even stepped foot on the plane to go to Arsenal at the end of last season I kind of knew it was going to be my last stint playing.

"It's a club that I love so much and respect so much, and to have the opportunity to be back there and them to welcome me knowing it was going to be my last game, it's pretty special."

Taylor added: "I'm happy that the time has come now – it's the right time."

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Taylor has not revealed what she will do after bringing an end to her playing career.

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham could reportedly face a 10-match ban for allegedly calling Getafe loanee Mason Greenwood a "rapist".

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Bellingham allegedly called Greenwood a "rapist"Spain's football federation investigatingMadrid star could be banned for 10 gamesGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The two England youngsters clashed during Madrid's 2-0 win at Getafe on February 1, with Bellingham allegedly mouthing the word "rapist" towards the Manchester United loanee. After Getafe lodged a complaint with La Liga's representative and a lip reader looked into the incident, writes that the league has referred this to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE EXPLANATION

The report adds the RFEF are appointing a judge to fully investigate the incident and they will decide within the next two weeks whether the 20-year-old will be punished. If found guilty and it falls under the 'serious' category, the former Borussia Dortmund star could get a four-match ban but if considered 'grave', Bellingham may be suspended for 10 games. Both Madrid and Getafe would have 10 days to appeal that verdict.

Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?

Greenwood, 22, joined Getafe on loan last September – seven months after charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control were dropped. The forward was first arrested in January 2022 in relation to distressing images and audio released on social media. Despite the charges being waved, Greenwood has not featured for United again and may have already played his last game for the club.

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WHAT NEXT?

adds that Madrid and Bellingham are "surprised" that La Liga have decided to get RFEF involved as reports suggest there is inconclusive evidence on the matter. It remains to be seen what punishment, if any, will be handed out to Bellingham.

Jamal Musiala scored a wondergoal, but the Bayern Munich defence crumbled, and Thomas Tuchel's side settled for a frustrating 2-2 draw on Friday.

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Bayern overturned early deficit, conceded lateKane held scoreless in disappointing showing Bayer Leverkusen can go 10 points clear with winTELL ME MORE

Freiburg struck first, Christian Gunter sweeping a fine effort into the bottom corner from outside the box. Mathys Tel leveled things with an eye-catching goal of his own, curling one into the top corner in his first Bundesliga start. The Bavarians thought hey had won it when Musiala danced through the Freiburg defence and scored. But a late goal from Lucas Holer saw the spoils shared.

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On days when Kane can't quite make an impact, the Bavarians need someone else to stand out. This time, Musiala got the job done. The attacking midfielder was Bayern's most apparent attacking threat throughout, finding neat pockets of space and cute angles in the final third. His goal was astounding, too, a twisting run through three defenders and calm finish. His effort was good enough to win any football match. Those around him simply didn't show up.

GettyTHE BIG LOSER

It's hard to identify any player in the Bayern midfield who has enjoyed a consistent season. But Leon Goretzka has been maddeningly off-pace in recent weeks. And he was the same here, losing discipline defensively and failing to provide the kind of extra attacking thrust that the Bavarians needed. He disappeared on both goals, caught out of position for the first, and simply watched on the second as his man stroked the ball into the top corner. Goretzka wasn't the only disappointment, but a stronger showing from him and the result could have been different.

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dpaWHAT COMES NEXT?

The Bavarians turn next to Champions League play. Tuchel's side face Lazio in the second leg of their round of 16 tie against the Serie A outfit, where they are currently losing 1-0 on aggregate.

Chelsea legend Eden Hazard showcased his outstanding skills as he returned to action in a Match for Hope clash.

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Hazard showcased skills in Match for Hope Football legends and influencers clashed in QatarHazard retired from professional football last yearWHAT HAPPENED?

The Belgian star, who ended his professional career at the end of the 2022-23 season, returned to the pitch on Friday for the Match for Hope clash at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar. Hazard demonstrated exceptional skills on the pitch as he manoeuvred past defenders with finesse.

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Alongside the former Chelsea and Real Madrid winger, past stars like Roberto Carlos, Kaka, Didier Drogba, Claude Makelele, Tim Cahill and David Villa also took part in the match. The game also saw participation from social media influencers like IShowSpeed, Chunkz and Aboflah. The celebrities came together to raise funds for the Education Above All Foundation.

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(C)GettyImagesWHAT NEXT FOR HAZARD?

The 33-year-old has no intention of returning to football except for charity matches like these. However, Hazard recently expressed his desire to coach young kids in a podcast hosted by his former Blues team-mate John Obi Mikel.

Lionel Messi is earning more at Inter Miami than the entire payroll of 25 MLS clubs, with the full cost of acquiring the Argentine ace being revealed.

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Argentine chasing the American dreamMoved to the States as a free agentSalary topped up by profit share deals

WHAT HAPPENED?

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner completed a stunning move to the United States over the summer when becoming a free agent at Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester United and England legend David Beckham – who is now a co-owner in Florida – helped to put that deal in place after 10 years of work behind the scenes.

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Messi has made an immediate impact in America, helping Inter Miami to a historic Leagues Cup triumph, and ended the 2023 campaign with 11 goals through 14 appearances. He has attracted A-list guests to MLS and domestic cup fixtures, while ticket prices soar whenever he takes to the field.

DID YOU KNOW?

Messi is helping to generate plenty of revenue, but he is also being handsomely rewarded financially. The 2023 MLS players salary guide has revealed that the all-time great earns a $12 million (£10m) base salary, with a guaranteed compensation of more than $20m (£16m) – making him the highest-paid player in the league – while he reportedly pulls in between $50m (£41m) and $60m (£49m) from agreements with MLS and Apple TV. In total, the 36-year-old is said to be earning around $135m (£110m), which dwarfs the payroll at rival outfits.

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

As things stand, only four sides in MLS – Inter Miami, Toronto FC, LA Galaxy and LAFC – have total payrolls bigger than what Messi earns by himself. The World Cup winner has insisted that he did not move to the States for money, having also received eye-watering offers from the Middle East, and said upon his arrival in Florida: “My decision went through many things, we thought about it with my wife, my children were also part of the decision, the family in general. I just came to play and enjoy football, which is what I've liked all my life. I chose [Miami] for that, above all else, and I'm very happy with the decision we made.”

Erling Haaland made history when he scored his 50th Premier League goal to give Manchester City the lead against Liverpool on Saturday.

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Haaland fired in opener against LiverpoolNow has 50 Premier League goals to his nameNeeded just 48 matches to reach milestoneWHAT HAPPENED?

The striker took on a Nathan Ake pass and smashed it beyond Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson to give City the lead after 27 minutes. The effort takes the Norwegian's tally up to 50 goals in just 48 games – no one has ever reached the milestone so quickly in the Premier League.

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Haaland has now broken Manchester United legend Andy Cole's record as the fastest to reach 50 Premier League goals. Cole managed to reach half a century of goals in 65 matches. Haaland now has 70 goals for Pep Guardiola's men in all competitions, needing just 72 games to hit that figure.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR HAALAND?

Haaland and his City team-mates will attempt to hold onto their lead at the Etihad Stadium and ensure they stay top of the Premier League by collecting the three points against the Reds.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been labelled "The GOAT" by his ex-Premier League rival Steven Gerrard, who has explained why he moved to Al-Ettifaq.

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Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr in JanuaryGerrard followed CR7 to Saudi Arabia in the summerPair enjoyed fierce Liverpool-Man Utd rivalry WHAT HAPPENED?

Ronaldo shocked the football world when joining Al-Nassr in January, less than two months after seeing his final contract at Manchester United terminated by mutual consent. A host of top players and managers have since followed the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to Saudi Arabia, including Liverpool legend Gerrard, who became Al-Ettifaq's new manager in July.

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During Ronaldo's first spell at Old Trafford between 2003 and 2009, he enjoyed a fierce rivalry with Gerrard as United and Liverpool competed at the top end of the Premier League table. The former England international holds no ill-feeling towards the Portuguese striker since hanging up his boots, though, and credits him for inspiring his decision to take up a new coaching challenge in the Middle East.

WHAT STEVEN GERRARD SAID

Gerrard also admitted that he and his staff at Al-Ettifaq consider Ronaldo to be the greatest player of all time, and suggested the striker wouldn't have moved to Saudi Arabia if he believed he was past his best. “The arrival of ‘The GOAT’ as we call him, Cristiano (Ronaldo), him arriving in January obviously (was) a huge signing,” the former Liverpool midfielder said in an interview with the . “He still had a lot of football to offer. So, from afar, for six months, I was looking in at Cristiano Ronaldo’s results, at the league, watching some games and watching some highlights. I think from that moment, the league around the world had become a very popular talking point for everyone. After Cristiano’s arrival, even more big-name signings, talents and skill sets were joining the league. At the time it coincided with me being out of the game and looking for my next opportunity, so I was fascinated from afar looking in, and when my agent brought a couple of opportunities in the gulf area at the time, I was fascinated to explore them.

“The Ettifaq proposal and opportunity was the most exciting for me because I’ve signed up to a club where the board are very passionate. They understand where the club is at, they understand it’s something that’s going to need building, and it’s going to take time. That’s the reason why I was very interested to analyse this one, because in my job you need time. Especially when a club has finished seventh in the league and so many points behind the top four. That’s not an easy fix; it’s not something you fix in a week, a month, or six months. It’s a project to build on the pitch, which is obviously the priority, but also a lot of things needed to change around it to give the first team the support it needs.”

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WHAT DID HE SAY ABOUT JORDAN HENDERSON?

Gerrard also explained why he worked so hard to bring his former Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson to Al-Ettifaq in the summer window. “I think when you’re the coach, the manager, you want players going into games that can be an extended version of the staff,” he added. “People, who can really help on-pitch coaching; where the team needs to be in terms of distances, to make on-field decisions. Myself and Jordan (Henderson) we have that trust. We played together and he’s a fantastic player still, a fantastic human being. For us, to execute that signing was key and very important and I think a lot of the other signings we made came on the back of Jordan agreeing to come here. I think he wanted to still play, I think that was the key. He was at Liverpool at the time, he’s had a fantastic career, he’s achieved everything at that club, he’s been a fantastic servant to Liverpool Football Club. And when we knew it was a possibility, I wanted to be aggressive and wanted that to be my first signing, because for me it was a no-brainer."