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Liverpool have already had a Torres in their midst, and the gossip pages are suggesting that another one could be on his way to Anfield.

According to the Daily Mail, the Merseyside outfit are keeping tabs on Valencia winger Ferran Torres ahead of the summer transfer window.

The youngster’s name does not quite carry the same weight as Fernando Torres did when he joined the Reds for a three-and-a-half-year spell between 2007 and January 2011.

However, that is mainly because the Spaniard is only 18 years old and is only just beginning to prove himself on the elite stage.

The Daily Mail claims that Liverpool have been tracking Torres since last year and have kept a close eye on his 10 appearances for Valencia so far this season.

The publication adds that Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona also have an interest, but it will cost any suitor around £21.9m to trigger the youngster’s release clause.

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Spanish football expert Guillem Balague has also spoken about the rumours, telling Sky Sports that Liverpool are interested in the winger, who can play on either side of the pitch.

On Reddit fans discussed the speculation.

Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.Comment from discussion Liverpool and others are keeping a close eye on Valencia’s 19 year old Ferran Torres. He is a dribbler, fast on the wing, can play on either wing, and he has got ability and intelligence. He can also play inside if needed, so he is a modern winger. Has a €25m release clause- Guillem Balague.

West Ham United took a massive step towards English Premier League safety on Saturday with a 3-0 thrashing of fellow relegation candidates Southampton at the London Stadium.

After three consecutive heavy defeats before the international break, the pressure was on David Moyes’ outfit to secure a result and they did so in style, banging in all three goals before the interval.

Fans were left absolutely delighted by the result and performance, impressed with the improvement from recent matches.

One player that should particular progress was midfield Cheikhou Kouyate, who was impressive in the first half, assisting Joao Mario for the side’s opening goal of the afternoon.

Fans had lost patience with the Senegal international, with some even hoping earlier this week that he might be missing for today’s clash. However, his performance has surely ensured his place in the side in the weeks to come?

Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

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Manchester City had plenty of work to do heading into Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

The team were trailing 3-0 from the fixture at Anfield, but given the club’s dominance in the Premier League this season, some supporters were hopeful of a turnaround.

Initially, a comeback looked to be on the cards due to Gabriel Jesus scoring after the first minute following a mistake by Virgil van Dijk.

Pep Guardiola’s side outplayed Liverpool in the first half, but they were unable to build on that goal and eventually lost 2-1 on the night, and 5-1 on aggregate.

The complexion of the game may have changed entirely at the end of the first half had Leroy Sane’s goal not been ruled offside.

The Germany international poked the ball into the back of the net from close range, but it was disallowed.

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Replays showed that the linesman made the wrong call as the ball bounced off of James Milner and into the path of Sane following Loris Karius’s punched clearance.

Now that City fans are coming to terms with the fact that their team will not be competing in the semi-finals, many have been left frustrated by the disallowed goal.

Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.Comment from discussion Sane Goal Wrongly Called for Offside.

According to reliable West Ham United insider @ExWHUemployee on the latest episode (83) of the West Ham Way radio show, the east London outfit will look to sign players from the teams that are relegated from the Premier League this summer, and Irons fans have been quick to have their say on the rumour.

David Moyes’ men moved a step closer to retaining their top flight place for another year with a 1-1 draw against Stoke City at the London Stadium on Monday night, which left them seven points above the bottom three ahead of 18th-placed Southampton’s trip to Leicester City on Thursday night.

Saints, the Potters and West Bromwich Albion are certainly the favourites to go down right now, and @ExWHUemployee has suggested that the Hammers could target new additions from those particular clubs, although the fans are split on Twitter regarding a potential move for City’s Xherdan Shaqiri.

West Ham supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on the news, and while one said “welcome Shaqiri”, another described the strategy of signing UK-based players as “so dull”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Watford failed to take advantage of an underwhelming Tottenham performance at Wembley on Monday night. The Lilywhites struggled to replicate the zipping attacking play they’ve become synonymous with under Mauricio Pochettino but eventually won 2-0 as the Hornets missed a succession of opportunities to bounce back just before half time after the scoring was opened by Dele Alli – who capitalised on some chaotic defending inside the Watford box.

Clearly eager to impress against his former club though, Etienne Capoue stood out in midfield as one of the players prepared to defy the odds – Watford entering Monday’s trip to Wembley on the back of losing 12 of their last 14 away games in the Premier League. In fact, it was the Frenchman who slid a perfect pass into Andre Gray for Watford’s best chance of the match, but the former Burnley forward could only fire his shot from just right of the penalty spot straight into the body of Hugo Lloris, arguably Tottenham’s best player in a cagey night for the north London side.

That marked Capoue’s most creative use of possession, but it was part of an incredibly economical performance on the ball from the powerful midfielder. He made the most passes of any Watford player and finished up with their highest pass completion rate of 89%. Defensively too, the 29-year-old proved resolute, making seven tackles and four interceptions to register the most possession gains of any Watford player.

Last month, Football FanCast revealed that the majority of West Ham fans – 58% – believe the club need to sign an upgrade on captain and fan favourite Mark Noble. Although he’s often seen as the heart of this Hammers side, the Englishman has endured a difficult campaign and there’s been a feeling for some time that West Ham need to bring real quality into their midfield to jump up to the next level. It hasn’t been a fantastic season for Cheikhou Kouyate either.

Capoue, albeit not exactly a superstar himself, could prove a shrewd alternative, someone who can replicate Noble’s defensive nous and structured use of the ball but add real power to West Ham’s engine room as well.

The big question with any signing, however, is the price-tag, and Capoue’s may prove a little too large to justify for the Irons. Although Transfermarkt value him at just £7.2million, the former Spurs man signed a contract extension until 2022 in March.

But that was likely to protect Capoue’s value more than anything else; Watford aren’t exactly known for club servants and should they change managers once again this summer – which certainly seems plausible considering Javi Gracia has hardly uprooted trees at Vicarage Road – the 6 foot 2 powerhouse could quickly find himself bumped down the pecking order, or even made available for a transfer.

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So the right offer then, could well tempt Watford into selling. But would West Ham fans back a summer swoop for Capoue? Let us know by voting below…

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Premier League clubs will be queuing up to sign Alfie Mawson if Swansea get relegated, and West Ham should be at the front of that queue.

Swansea are on the brink of relegation after their 1-0 defeat to Southampton on Tuesday night, and Alfie Mawson will likely be first out the door if the Swans go down.

West Ham won’t be the only ones keeping an eye on the Englishman, but the offer of guaranteed playing time could certainly tilt things in their favour against some of the “big six” who may show interest.

The lack of a backbone has been a big problem for the Hammers this season, but with the emergence of Declan Rice they are only a couple of signings away from fixing that problem, and Mawson could be the first step.

The towering 24 year-old has made 31 tackles and 33 interceptions for Swansea this season, but the stat that really jumps out is his prowess in the air, winning a remarkable 119 aerial duels this season.

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This dominance in the air has shown itself on the attacking end as well, as the young defender has chipped in with three goals in all competitions.

Mawson is what some fans would call a “proper defender”, and if his 222 clearances aren’t evidence of that defensive mind-set then who knows what is.

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What separates the 24 year-old from other defenders of his ilk though is his ability on the ball, showcased by the 187 long passes he has completed this season.

So, West Ham fans, would you like to sign Mawson? Let us know by voting in the poll below…

Newcastle United produced an outstanding display to demolish last season’s champions Chelsea 3-0 at St James’ Park on the final day of the English Premier League.

It was a case of saving the best for last from Rafa Benitez’s outfit, who ended the Blues’ hopes of qualifying for next year’s UEFA Champions League.

A Dwight Gayle opener and a second half double from Ayoze Perez was enough for the victory, helping the Magpies secure a top half of the table finish in their first season back in the top-flight.

Fans were absolutely delight with the result and performance, singling out Perez for particular praise after his excellent display.

The attacking midfielder has scored 10 goals assisted five times for his side this season, producing excellent form since the turn of the year particularly.

Can he replicate that next term as Benitez looks to build on what turn out to be a very solid season for the club?

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Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

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According to recent reports, Leeds United have sold a minority stake to 49ers Enterprises, an investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers. The shareholding will be around 10 per cent, and 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe will serve on the board alongside Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani, Angus Kinnear, Andre Tegner and Ivan Bravo.

Though the 49ers haven’t won a Super Bowl since Steve Young was chucking touchdowns to Jerry Rice in 1994, San Francisco is one of the historically successful franchises of the NFL, boasting five Super Bowl championships and 19 division titles since 1970.

The 49ers were ranked last year as the fifth most valuable NFL franchise at $3.05 billion, and there is reason to believe their new stake in Leeds United will facilitate the Yorkshire outfit’s first return to the Premier League since relegation in 2004.

Below are three reasons to believe the new investment will be good for Leeds:

Paraag Marathe brings expertise to the board

Marathe’s career ascended quickly after he acquired his MBA from Stanford’s business school in 2001. A staple in the 49ers’ organization since then, Marathe is known to be a numbers guy with fascination with how finances and statistics fit into an NFL team.

Currently serving as San Francisco’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations and the president of 49ers Enterprises, Marathe has played a key role serving as CEO Jed York’s right-hand man. Together they built a roster that won an NFC championship and reached the Super Bowl in 2012. Marathe also was critical in the development and construction of Levi Stadium, the 49ers home stadium since 2014.

Marathe has been garnering front-office experience since before he could legally drink, and he will bring his dynamic influence and mindset to a club that could surely use it.

The minority stake will provide Leeds with the means to make key moves

Leeds United have fallen on hard times since being relegated from the Premier League in 2004. The Whites have been floating in mediocracy in the Championship, falling outside the top six teams in each year since 2010.

Leeds clearly need not only a change in talent but also a change in culture. A big part of that includes new signings with different mindsets and the 49ers’ new stake will provide the Whites with a push for players like Abel Hernandez and Kyle Bartley – who will be in demand amongst second-tier clubs this summer.

Foreign investments have proven successful for Championship teams

As Leeds fight year after year with other clubs to climb out of the Championship and back into the Premier League, it’s clear they view the 49ers’ investment as a way to gain extra footing. When considering other clubs that have ascended out of the second-tier, it looks like a smart move.

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The two first-place finishers in the Championship this season — the teams that will reap the benefits of playing in the Premier League next season — were Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City. Both are controlled by outside ownership. Fosun International, a Chinese group, bought the Wolves in 2016 for £45million, and Cardiff City is owned by a Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan.

Moreover, the two clubs — Aston Villa and Fulham — who will compete for the last promotion spot on Saturday both have foreign ownership. Attracting investments from outside players has worked for other teams in their bids for Premier League status, and if Leeds play it right, it could work for them too.

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It’s been something of an annus horribilis for Christian Benteke.

Following a torrid time up front in which he only netted three times for the Eagles, the Belgian striker – who Transfermarkt value at £19.8million – was then not selected for his country’s 23-man World Cup squad.

Roberto Martinez instead opted to take Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens and Michy Batshuayi as his striking options to Russia.

To make things worse, the Evening Standard are now reporting that Crystal Palace are prepared to sell their misfiring striker this summer.

After having spent £27million to bring him from Liverpool to Selhurst Park, the club are hoping to recoup some of the funds, with a move to the Chinese Super League most likely.

Beijing Guoan made a bid for the forward last year and there is still interest in China despite his poor form.

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Crystal Palace fans have been reacting to the news that one of their star players could be out the door this summer, with opinion split on whether it’s time for the striker to move on.

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According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa have rejected a bid from Brighton & Hove Albion for in-demand centre-back James Chester.

Chester, 29, was outstanding for Villa during the 2017-18 campaign.

Even the defender’s brilliance could not inspire Steve Bruce’s side to Premier League promotion, however, with the club losing out to Fulham in the Championship playoff final.

Villa’s issues off the field mean that they will have to slash their wage bill this summer, and it is understood that Chester collects in the region of £40,000 a week at Villa Park.

It is not a surprise that a number of Premier League clubs are believed to be interested in Chester when considering that he is really a top-flight defender playing in the Championship.

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Villa will find it very difficult to keep hold of him this summer, and the same can be said for Jack Grealish as interest in the impressive midfielder gathers pace.

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The Villa supporters have been reacting to news of the bid from Brighton, and it would be fair to say that they are absolutely desperate to keep hold of Chester.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below: