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Queens Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes has told The Mirror he doesn’t believe his side are panic buying.

This is despite the imminent arrival of Tottenham defender Michael Dawson and Real Madrid centre-back Ricardo Carvalho following QPR’s surprise 5-0 home defeat to Swansea City. Mark Hughes is also rumoured to be interested in the Brazilian free agent Julio Caesar as a means of replacing Robert Green after the England international was at fault for the first goal in the 5-0 drubbing.

However, Rangers’ chairman Fernandes insists, “we have done some sensible business over the summer and we are not going to throw it away. We are here for the long run and we’ll do things properly.”

QPR have already been one of the busiest Premier League clubs in the summer transfer window signing nine players including Jose Bosingwa, Junior Hoilett, Ji-Sung Park, Ryan Nelsen, Fabio da Silva, Andrew Johnson and of course Robert Green as previously mentioned. These signings make QPR manager Mark Hughes one of the biggest spenders in transfer window history as he also splashed just under £200 million as manager of Manchester City.

Tony Fernandes says that whilst ideally like to bring in a few more faces, they must consider balancing an already soaring wage bill which is predicted to be now higher than the phenomenal 183% wage-to-turnover ratio they experienced at the end of the 2010/11 campaign when they had achieved promotion from the Championship. Fernandes told The Mirror, “we are in discussions but QPR have got to run a sensible business.”

One of the players rumoured to be leaving Loftus Road in order to alleviate the wage bill is controversial midfielder Joey Barton who is currently at loan at League 2 outfit Fleetwood Town so that he can accelerate the 12-match suspension he received from the Premier League for his misdemeanours at Manchester City on the closing day of last season. Barton is currently one of QPR’s top earners, bringing in £70,000 a week. Fernandes said of Barton, “There are many things happening with Joey, and it’s just like anything else, it all happens in the last nine days of the transfer window.”

Championship outfit Cardiff City also seem willing the help QPR ease the wage bill. They have already signed Paul Connolly and Heidar Helguson from the West London club and are also closing in on the signing of Tommy Smith who played under Cardiff manager Malky Mackay at Watford.

QPR will have the opportunity to rectify their disastrous start to the campaign when they travel to Carrow Road to face a Norwich City side who will be also licking their wounds after a poor start to the season at Fulham.

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Ex-Chelsea man Jose Bosingwa is expected to make his debut for QPR, but it is thought that the game has arrived too soon for Michael Dawson and Ricardo Carvalho to make their first appearances in a QPR shirt.

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Newcastle fans have been discussing their end of season awards, and it looks like a two-horse race for player of the year.

It’s been an odd season for Newcastle. Up until February the club looked doomed, both on the pitch and off it.

Since the monumental win over Manchester United though, Benitez’s Magpies have gone from strength to strength, and there is now an overwhelming sense of optimism around the club.

Fans are of course still awaiting news on a potential takeover from the infamous Mike Ashley, but nonetheless performances on the pitch have certainly distracted from the nonsense off it.

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With the club’s annual awards ceremony coming up, fans have been discussing who should be the player of the year, and the overwhelming favourite is captain Jamaal Lascelles.

The young centre-back has been a phenomenal leader for the Magpies and enjoyed the best form of his career this season.

Mo Diame is the other name being thrown in the mix, as the 30 year-old has gone from outcast to outstanding, dominating the midfield alongside Jonjo Shelvey in the second half of the season.

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There are a few other names in the mix as well, but the smart money is certainly on Lascelles.

Some of the best Twitter reactions can be found below…

It may be a bit cliché, but the Championship is certainly one of the most exciting leagues in Europe.

Despite being the second tier of the game in England, the division regularly attracts greater crowds than those present across the continent, while many of the teams on show are, arguably, better than some of the far-flung sides that crop up in the Champions League’s group stage.

Talented players are, of course, plentiful, with many of the more impressive players still very much at the start of their careers.

The likes of West Ham have shown there’s value in offering starlets the step up – Aaron Cresswell has been excellent this season – so perhaps Liverpool could divert their attention toward the top end of the Football League.

Here are FIVE players Brendan Rodgers should, maybe, consider…

Sam Byram

Liverpool have issues at right-back, and Sam Byram certainly is one of the best player in that position in the Championship. So, reports linking the Reds with the Leeds ace make some sense, and there certainly is the opportunity to lure him away from Elland Road given the Whites’ consistent off-field issues.

By no means the finished article, Brendan Rodgers could once again work his magic on an emerging player, with Byram still very much mould-able at 21.

Will Hughes

A long-term Reds target, Will Hughes has been back on Liverpool’s radar of late. A complete midfielder, the Rams star is, arguably, the Championship’s best youngster in his position, with his reading of the game and composure on the ball beyond that of many 20-year-olds.

The Merseysiders also have a solid relationship with Derby, with Andre Wisdom and Jordon Ibe having both been sent to work under Steve McClaren in recent times.

Patrick Bamford

Some FA Cup heroics and 15 Championship goals have made Patrick Bamford one of the most talked about strikers outside of the Premier League. Owned by Chelsea, the 21-year-old is currently plying his trade with Middlesbrough, but a future in the top tier looks to be beckoning.

Breaking through with the Blues, however, appears to be a big ask, which could facilitate a move away from Stamford Bridge. Negotiating with the Londoners may be tough for Liverpool, but their signature of Daniel Sturridge shows it’s possible.

Tyrone Mears

A giant full-back at 6ft. 5”, Tyone Mings is a real athlete. Pacey, strong and able to run all day long, the Somerset-born star offers a real presence on the left flank, even though his long-term future may be at centre-back.

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Emre Can’s role in a back three shows that Brendan Rodgers likes to experiment, which may make Mings a decent option should the Reds start shopping.

Patrick Roberts

Fulham’s slid has been alarming over the course of the past two years, but one bright spot has been the emergence of Patrick Roberts. The 18-year-old forward is comfortable on the right of midfield or as a more advanced winger on the same side, with his pace and attacking instincts both impressive.

Rodgers is known to be a manager who will give youngsters time and patience, and could look to Roberts as an option.

Javier Hernandez insists Manchester United’s recent struggle for goals does not concern him, as long as his side are winning.

The runaway league leaders have managed just three goals in their last four games and two of those have been own goals from opposition defenders.

Hernandez, who has 16 goals in all competitions for United this season, insists that it doesn’t matter where the goals come from as long as the Old Trafford side are winning games.

“Sometimes you can score a lot of goals and sometimes you are only scoring a few. It’s part of football,” he told MUTV’s Countdown to Kick-off show.

“In some parts of the season we have scored a lot of goals. In December [and into January] we scored at least two goals in a few games in a row. That happens.

“We are working very hard to try and create as many chances as we can and when we have those chances we always try to score. The most important thing for us is to win the games – even if we win 1-0 we would still love that.”

The Old Trafford outfit are close to securing the Premier League title as they lead Manchester City by 12 points but Hernandez insists United are keeping their focus on Sunday’s trip to Stoke rather than silverware.

He added: “We have to forget about that [when United could win the title]. We are only thinking about Stoke.

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“We are taking it game by game. It’s Stoke now and then we’ll think about West Ham [on Wednesday] and then the next game.”

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Mikel Arteta scored twice from the penalty spot to ease the pressure on Arsene Wenger and secure a vital three points for Arsenal against West Brom.

The crisis bell tolled this time last week as the Gunners trudged off the Emirates Stadium pitch after a late sucker punch against Swansea left Wenger questioning his own future in North London.

However victory over the Baggies will come as a relief to the Frenchman as he watched his side rise to sixth in the table and to within two points of a Champions League place.

Opposite number Steve Clark will be wracking his brain trying to figure out what has gone wrong with his side after they succumbed to a third defeat on the spin.

They were on the back foot from the outset and were lucky not to go behind when Gervinho struck wide as they looked to soak up pressure from the hosts and punish them on the counter attack and it almost paid dividends when Chris Brunt curled wide.

And they had every right to feel aggrieved when referee Mike Jones adjudged Steven Reid to have fouled Santi Cazorla in the 26th minute despite the Spaniard appearing to dive. Arteta took up the spot kick duties and calmly beat Boaz Myhill, sending the ball down the middle to give Arsenal the lead.

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Jack Wilshere then went close to a second, poking wide from Gervinho’s cross before Jones waved away penalty appears from the visitors after a cross struck Per Mertesacker on the arm.

Still, it was the home side that continued to carve the better opportunities and Myhill had to be alert to keep Gervinho’s fierce strike out just before the break. It would take another penalty to secure victory with Arteta scoring again from 12-yards after Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down by Brunt in the area in the 64th minute.

As reported by The Daily Mail, Southampton are showing interest in Young Boys striker Roger Assale ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

Having scored just 33 league goals this term, whatever division Saints end up playing in next season, they badly need to address their lack of goals and recruitment in the summer transfer window could be the way to do it.

One player they’re keeping tabs on is Young Boys forward Roger Assale.

That’s according to The Daily Mail, who say Saints are weighing up a move for the player after scouting him in recent months.

The paper reckon Leicester City are also interested and that it would take a fee of around £12m to bring him to English football.

Is he the kind of player that can make an impact at St Mary’s?

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Who is he?

Assale moved to Young Boys from African football in January of last year and has quickly made a massive impression on Swiss football, netting 27 times and assisting 16 more in just 55 appearances.

With 21 of those goals coming this season alone, he’s proving he can be a consistent goalscorer, albeit in a less illustrious league than the English top-flight.

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Just 24 years of age though he has room to grow as a player and certainly appears to have the kind of finishing instinct Southampton have lacked recently.

With four goals and three assists in European competition too, the signs are there he has the potential to be a big hit at St Mary’s, should they follow up their reported interest.

Last weekend’s narrow defeat to Champions elect Chelsea aside, Louis Van Gaal finally seems to have found something of a winning formula at Manchester United.

His selections and tactics of late may have been partially dictated by injuries and suspensions, but they have seen United put together a run which propels them into prime position for Champions League qualification.

Is it genius reaping the rewards for faith shown in his own philosophy, or a happy accident?

The truth is somewhere between the two.

One feature of the Dutch boss’ in-form side has been the use of compatriot Daley Blind at left back. Has Blind now claimed the position for himself or is Van Gaal simply deploying him there until he can coax the best from young Luke Shaw?

The signing of Blind last summer was an interesting one. Most player purchases these days are completed with a particular position in mind but the Dutchman was almost certainly not brought to Old Trafford as a left-back, or a right-back, or for that matter, a midfielder.

Van Gaal drafted him in because he knew him, knew his personality and qualities. If ever there was a willing utility man, then it is Daley Blind.

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His versatility and attitude means he will never be far from the coach’s first team plans. If cover is needed he will be the go-to-guy. The former Ajax man possesses enough quality to play in midfield, enough energy for full back and enough tenacity for a man-marking role.

He has also rescued vital points for United this season by chipping in with a couple of late goals.

The 25-year-old has done a fantastic job on the left of United’s defence in recent weeks and formed a good relationship with the resurgent Ashley Young. What does this mean then, for the man signed to be the Red Devils’ left-back for the next decade, the next Patrice Evra or Dennis Irwin?

That man is Luke Shaw. The former Southampton star was recruited to succeed Evra, for what is a world-record fee for a teenager, £30million.

The transition from life on the south coast to one of Europe’s biggest clubs was never going to be straight forward and Shaw has struggled to really make his mark since arriving. Early in the season questions surrounding his fitness circulated in the media and he spent some time on the bench.

Van Gaal publicly stated that the teenager’s condition was not suitable for a place in the starting line-up, especially the wing-back role required by the formation being used at the time. Since then Shaw has enjoyed some game time and has put in a few solid performances but is still to hit the heights he reached at St Mary’s.

The former young player of the year has missed sections of the season due to injury but was able to return to the fray at Stamford Bridge last week when Blind himself picked up a knock.

Despite losing out to the Dutchman over the last month or so, it would be a safe bet that Shaw will start in the next game. Blind is struggling with a knock, but even if passed fit he is likely to be pushed into midfield as cover for Michael Carrick.

This frees up the left back role for the young England International. It is this very versatility, combined with his consistency that means Blind will always be pushing for a start without having to a make a position his own.

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Shaw may be required to play second fiddle for now but ultimately he has every opportunity to become the first-choice left back.

He also possesses the right attributes in terms of his pace and crossing ability. Competition from his current rival will be intermittent depending on what selection problems Van Gaal is faced with.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss will surely see Shaw as the future of the club in the left-back slot but will be happy his ever reliable lieutenant can be stationed there until the 19-year-old is ready.

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Arsene Wenger is approaching the final summer of his current contract, and this may be the last real opportunity he has to turn the club’s fortunes around for good and make a mark on the Premier League.

While high quality arrivals are a must, it’s also vital the club clear the dead wood and wipe the slate clean. The high volume of loan deals involving first-team players at the club really does no one any good, and at this time Arsenal really shouldn’t be of the mind to help out other clubs.

It weighs in with the unbalanced nature of the wage budget, with so many poor players taking home a salary which clubs on the continent find unreasonable. But the first few names out the door this summer should be those who undoubtedly serve no purpose to Arsenal in the future. Importantly, Arsene Wenger needs to move on from his close relationship to some and play a strong hand in improving the club.

Click on Gervinho to see the full list of players that need to be given the boot

Plenty of Arsenal fans will be wondering about the future of their manager Arsene Wenger, and whether or not the Frenchman will be overseeing transfers this summer.

At the moment, the 68-year-old is under contract at the Emirates for another season, but questions will be raised if the club fail to qualify for the Champions League.

In the January transfer window, the North London outfit lost Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United, but managed to bring in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

This summer, Arsenal are in need of some fresh faces, particularly as they look destined to finish outside of the top four.

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With six Premier League matches left to play, Wenger’s men sit 13 points adrift of the Champions League spots, which means that their hopes of qualifying for the elite competition could rest on winning the Europa League.

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Arsenal supporters are aware that the club need to strengthen in defence, as well as recruit a defensive midfielder and new goalkeeper.

With that in mind, fans on Reddit have discussed who they would move for in the market if they had a £70m budget.

70 Mil To Spend on a DM, CB, and GK. Who are you signing and why? from r/Gunners

Comment from discussion 70 Mil To Spend on a DM, CB, and GK. Who are you signing and why?.Comment from discussion 70 Mil To Spend on a DM, CB, and GK. Who are you signing and why?.Comment from discussion 70 Mil To Spend on a DM, CB, and GK. Who are you signing and why?.Comment from discussion 70 Mil To Spend on a DM, CB, and GK. Who are you signing and why?.Comment from discussion 70 Mil To Spend on a DM, CB, and GK. Who are you signing and why?.Comment from discussion 70 Mil To Spend on a DM, CB, and GK. Who are you signing and why?.Comment from discussion 70 Mil To Spend on a DM, CB, and GK. Who are you signing and why?.Comment from discussion 70 Mil To Spend on a DM, CB, and GK. Who are you signing and why?.

“At this moment, we don’t have a striker who scores 20 goals.”

The words of Louis van Gaal over the weekend as he lamented his Manchester United side’s lack of goals. How our heart bleeds for the £150m summer spenders, who took on Radamel Falcao, despite his creaking knee and spent a record fee on Angel di Maria, despite possessing enough ‘No. 10’s to make even Arsene Wenger blush!

But, with United big hitters in the transfer market, LVG is likely to be free to go for whomever he wants later this year, however he should exercise some caution when looking for the ’20 goal’ man he wants. Coming up are three pages of the pitfalls Van Gaal must avoid, which others have not managed to sidestep…

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Eredivisie goals count… right? Mateja Kezman

Kezman was a goalscoring machine for PSV Eindhoven. Between 2001-2004 he smashed a stunning 81 efforts in the red and white striped shirt, with his season best coming in the middle of this three-year spell of net-bulging – a tally of 35 in 33 games. Wow! Chelsea took the plunge in their Roman Abramovic glory-seeking early days, but the Serbian failed to cut it in west London, scoring four times in just over a year. After his exit, Kezman bounced around Europe before ending his career with South China.

Alfonso Alves

The holy grail of successful in Dutch football but woeful in the Premier League, Alves will forever go down in the top of the flops hall of fame. 34 goals in his debut season in the Eredivisie was some going, and the Brazilian then maintained his edge the following term with a seven-goal (yes, SEVEN) haul in his last campaign with Heerenveen against Heracles. Not bad, eh?

Middlesbrough were so impressed that they paid close to £20m for his signature, but 18 months and 10 goals later they were relegated, and Alves has since been plying his trade in the Middle East.

Well he’s got potential… Kostas Mitroglou

Although he didn’t technically reach 20 goals in the 2013/14 season with Olympiakos, his record of 14 in under half the season suggests that he would have cut it and passed the marker, which makes this one fine for us! The Greek ace stunk of a relegation signing for Fulham last season as they paid over £11m for the man who had been passed on by some bigger clubs. True to form, he flopped, with fitness issues limiting him to just a handful of minutes as the Cottagers slipped to drop. He’s now back in his homeland with Olympiakos… again.

Roque Santa Cruz

19 goals (we’ll forgive him the 20 mark as he was playing for Blackburn!) was enough to convince Manchester City to pay almost £20m for the Paraguayan ‘penalty box predator’ Santa Cruz in 2009. We have no sympathy for the Sky Blues, who simply had to look at his record prior to that one outstanding campaign, as he’d never reached double figures, despite playing Bayern Munich since 1999.

Let’s all laugh at Chelsea! Andriy Shevchenko

A real indulgence signing, Chelsea had little need for Shevchenko, but in 2006, but Abramovich’s desire to land an Eastern Bloc idol led to a £30+ deal for the Ukrainian, who failed to settle in west London, despite his reputation as one of the planet’s best players after a prolific spell at AC Milan.

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‘Sheva’ was not suited to the Premier League and failed to reach double figures before he was shipped out permanently to Dynamo Kiev in 2009.

Fernando Torres

Perhaps the worst ever Premier League deal. Liverpool were aware injuries had robbed Torres of his pace and some lacklustre showings made it pretty obvious to onlookers, too, but Chelsea were so intent on getting their man that a £50m January 2011 bid went in, and ‘El Nino’ switched from Merseyside to London. A 900-minute baron spell awaited Torres in the blue of Chelsea, and he is now back at his first club, Atletico Madrid, via AC Milan on a loan deal that will run down the remainder of his Chelsea contract.

The deal would have looked even worse for the Blues had Liverpool not wasted £35m of the fee on Andy Carroll…