Rangers Expecting £5.6k-p/w Star To Leave This Summer

Rangers now expect to lose Scott Wright in the summer transfer window, amid interest in the winger from English Championship sides, according to a report from Football Insider.

Which Rangers players could leave this summer?

Michael Beale may have a bit of a rebuilding job on his hands this summer, as some long-serving players are being linked with moves away from the club, most notably Alfredo Morelos, with the Colombian's contract set to expire at the end of the season.

The chances of the striker leaving are ever-increasing, as he is still yet to enter talks with the club about a new deal, with Beale set to wait until the end of the campaign before making his mind up.

41-year-old goalkeeper Allan McGregor could also call time on his Rangers career in the summer, when his current deal expires, but he will make a definite decision at the end of the campaign, depending on whether he feels he can still perform at a good level.

Another Light Blues player that may be on the move at the end of the campaign is Wright, with Football Insider reporting English Championship sides are circling, as well as teams from the Scottish top flight.

The winger is now expected to leave the club, despite having two years left on his contract, with Beale already starting his plans for the off-season, as he vies to close the gap on rivals Celtic.

The Rangers boss was unwilling to part with the 25-year-old in January, but his future will be re-assessed in the summer, at which point he is likely to sanction his departure.

Should Rangers let Scott Wright leave?

The £5.6k-per-week earner has stepped up to the plate in some big moments for the Light Blues, most notably scoring the second in the 2-0 win against Hearts in the Scottish Cup final last season.

However, the former Aberdeen man is clearly unfavoured by Beale, regularly being limited to cameo appearances off the bench, meaning he has amassed just one assist in the Scottish Premiership this season.

Soccer Football – Scottish Cup – Final – Rangers v Heart of Midlothian – Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Britain – May 21, 2022 Rangers’ Scott Wright scores their second goal REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Despite being hailed as having "so much talent" by journalist Josh Bunting, the Scot has been unable to display his quality often enough in a Rangers shirt, and it is probably the right decision to allow him to move on in the summer.

Given his contract situation, the Gers may be able to receive a decent fee for Wright, which they can then reinvest into other areas of the squad.

£22k p/w Bundesliga Ace Keen On Man United Transfer

Manchester United's summer target Jeremie Frimpong would be keen to make a move to Old Trafford ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

Will Man United finish in the top four?

The Red Devils got back to winning ways on the weekend to give their hopes of a spot in next season's Champions League a much-needed boost.

Erik ten Hag's side remain three points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand over the north London side.

However, there may be some concerns as to whether Marcus Rashford will be available for the upcoming games after he seemingly suffered a fresh injury issue.

A spot inside the top four remains in their hands and it could be crucial for the Red Devils if they are to attract some of their summer transfer targets to Old Trafford.

One name which has been linked with a potential switch to Manchester is that of Bayer Leverkusen's Frimpong after his representatives held talks with United last week.

And speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has claimed the £22k-per-week right-back would be keen on a potential move to Old Trafford in the summer window:

(3:00) "I can confirm that the player is really attracted by a possible return to the Premier League because he started his career in England and now in this case, with Manchester United it's a possibility that is really attracting the player.

"So they've had the player in the list since October/November. They sent, Manchester United, people from their scouting department to follow Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer Leverkusen.

"And so let's see if bids will arrive for Aaron Wan-Bissaka but Frimpong is one to watch and the player would be keen on the move to Manchester United."

Should United sign Frimpong?

The 22-year-old has been a key feature in the Leverkusen side this season having now racked up 27 appearances in the Bundesliga (via Transfermarkt).

And in those games he has been able to provide a seriously impressive return of eight goals and five assists having played predominantly as a right wing-back.

However, there could be an issue for Ten Hag's men ahead of the summer with the believed interest also coming from Barcelona and Bayern Munich.

Jeremie Frimpong plays for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.

The two European sides top their respective leagues and are looking certain to be playing in the Champions League ahead of the new season.

On the other hand, United's spot inside the top four is by no means secure with the Red Devils still to play Tottenham later this month.

It will be intriguing to see whether Frimpong's future could potentially be determined on whether United are able to seal a spot in next season's elite European football.

With the draw of playing for Barcelona and even the potential switch across Germany to Bayern in a league where he has so comfortably adapted since moving from Celtic.

United have seen Jadon Sancho come over from the Bundesliga and fail to hit the heights expected of him, however, there could be some confidence taken from the shared interest from some of Europe's biggest clubs.

Aston Villa’s 4 Key Pass Gem Was "Exceptional" Today

Aston Villa’s superb run of form continued this afternoon with a wonderful 3-0 victory over Newcastle United that gives Unai Emery further hope his side can secure a coveted European spot this term.

The Midlands side controlled proceedings throughout, having 52% possession during the tie and taking almost double the number of shots compared to their opponents (15 to eight) and in the end, it was a comfortable win.

Ollie Watkins was like a man possessed, scoring twice for Villa in the second half and his Sofascore rating of 9/10 was the highest out of any player on the pitch.

Since the domestic season resumed following the World Cup in December, Watkins has registered 15 goal contributions – 12 goals and three assists – and against the Magpies, the striker also made two key passes, took five shots in total and created one big chance, clearly proving that he is Emery’s key man right now.

Despite his incredible display, Watkins wasn’t the only star man, with Jacob Ramsey running the show from midfield in what was a performance which will give Emery confidence he can fulfil his potential.

How did Jacob Ramsey perform against Newcastle United?

The midfielder scored the vital opener for the Villa Park outfit and his rating of 8.5/10 via Sofascore was the second-highest in the team, behind Watkins of course.

Ramsey made four key passes during the tie which were important in order to carve a resolute Newcastle defence open and he also chipped in with two tackles and an interception.

His passing ability was near perfect, completing 25 of his 26 attempted passes, succeeding with both of his long balls while he even managed to enjoy some success attacking the Newcastle defence, succeeding with two of his three dribble attempts.

His performance was wonderful, and it went a long way to Villa performing how they did, and Statman Dave certainly enjoyed Ramsey’s display, dubbing the midfielder as “magic” and “exceptional” for his relentless display.

Jacob Ramsey for Aston Villa

He has now scored or provided an assist in four of his previous five Premier League matches, and this type of form will be key over the next few weeks as Emery leads his men on one final charge to secure a European position – something that will have seemed out of this world back in the final days of Steven Gerrard’s reign.

The Spaniard will now believe his team can defeat just about anyone right now, and with a tie against Brentford coming up, it appears as if nothing can stop them from continuing their dazzling run.

Everton: Dyche Must Unleash Teen Who Has An "Eye For Goal"

Everton's offensive woes have been there for all to see this season, with Frank Lampard seemingly having passed on his struggles to successor Sean Dyche.

The former Burnley boss enjoyed an initial upturn in form upon joining, claiming some crucial wins against league leaders Arsenal and Brentford, but they have since lost their last two games; the most recent of which drew ugly scenes at Goodison Park, who were not happy with the manner of their defeat to Fulham.

That crushing blow has left them above the relegation zone only on goal difference, and with a tricky run of fixtures remaining, at the mercy of their competitors to secure survival. It almost feels like the Toffees are reliant on other clubs failing to win, rather than being able to pick up vital points of their own accord.

This can be traced back again to a lack of potency in the final third, as Dyche had to watch his side spurn numerous golden chances before falling behind again last time out.

demarai-gray-everton-stanley-mills

Up front, there is no reliable source of goals, which explains why their top three scorers for the season are all wingers, with one having left in January.

However, with four goals, Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil are the lowest-scoring top scorer of any Premier League team. Their standing is hardly a badge of honour.

With the latter being the only real source of goals of late, perhaps the other wide spot could have become available for someone with fresh ideas and youthful energy; someone like Stanley Mills.

Who is Stanley Mills?

Having seen his stock rise dramatically in the last year or so, given his steady integration within the first team, the 19-year-old has seemingly been prepping for a consistent senior football birth for some time now that is yet to emerge.

Just two appearances within the first team is admirable, but given the teenager's form in the Premier League 2, there is no reason why he has not been made a permanent member of Dyche's squad.

After all, the speedster boasts eight goals in just 13 league appearances, having scored a further three in just four EFL Trophy starts.

For comparison, Alex Iwobi and Gray, who would be the competitors for that other wide spot, have a combined goal tally of just five.

Not only that, but the last non-penalty goal either of them scored was back in December.

This marks a stark contrast with the young trickster, who has seemingly modelled his whole game around the pursuit of finding the back of the net. His father, former Leeds United defender Danny Mills, outlined this:

"In the modern game, I think he’s a winger or a No 10, as he can create and has an eye for goal."

With little to lose given the lack of output the alternatives bring, Mills boasts a fine wildcard option who could save Everton's season, should he be given the chance.

Everton Could Regret Not Signing £15m Premier League Striker

Everton have found themselves struggling in another Premier League relegation battle this season and their questionable transfer business has without a doubt contributed to their plight.

The Toffees are currently 18th in the top-flight table following a poor run of form that has seen them unable to pick up all three points from any of their last five fixtures, leaving them in a precarious position going into their final six games of the season.

Indeed, Sean Dyche hasn't had the greatest opportunity to get the very best from his squad with several injuries to key players, whilst morale and confidence would have been low when he inherited the responsibilities of Frank Lampard at Goodison Park.

Not only that, the failure to secure the signing of a prolific and reliable goal-scorer has been a massive contributor to the Merseyside club's downfall, with Richarlison and Anthony Gordon's exits combined with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's injury woes having an adverse effect on the goal contributions and quality in the forward line.

No other Premier League club has scored fewer goals than Everton this season (24) which is a testament to the sticky situation they have found themselves in and a reflection of the opportunity squandered to strengthen the centre-forward position in the winter transfer window.

One player who was reportedly targeted by the Goodison Park outfit was Danny Ings, with the striker instead signing a £15m deal to join West Ham United and that decision could be the catalyst to Everton's first-ever Premier League relegation next month.

Why didn't Everton sign Danny Ings?

When the transfer window opened in January, it was widely expected that Everton would make a forward signing after a promising start in the Premier League turned into a familiar nightmare for the supporters of the club, with poor performances stacking up and a fall into the bottom half leading to panic.

Instead, the powerbrokers at Goodison sacked Lampard, sold their talented prospect in Gordon, and waited until Deadline Day to announce their new manager, spurning further chaos and a clear lack of organisation that led to no signings being made when it mattered most.

There is no doubt that Ings would have been a much better signing than Neal Maupay, with the Everton flop only tallying up one goal in the entire campaign, whilst the Hammers marksman has delivered ten in all competitions so far.

The 30-year-old striker – who was dubbed a "phenomenal finisher" by pundit Noel Whelan – is a renowned Premier League striker with successful spells at Aston Villa and Southampton, as well as being Dyche's go-to target man in front of goal at Turf Moor with Burnley.

Danny Ings

Ings has tallied up 70 goals and 19 assists in 199 top-flight appearances, averaging an impressive 41% shot accuracy and delivering 166 shots on target over his career so far, proving that he would've been the perfect fit for the Toffees and at least given them a consistent focal point in Calvert-Lewin's absence.

Now Farhad Moshiri will have to hope that Calvert-Lewin's return from injury will inspire a miracle in front of goal over the remaining fixtures, as the pressure is mounting and Dyche is running out of opportunities to save Everton from their own mistakes.

Liverpool Must Ditch Thiago By Signing £53m Warrior

Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a swoop for Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who has been in stellar form for his Portuguese outfit this season.

Having fallen from their perch after years of illustrious success under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool need to rebuild and forge a path back to the top, and the midfield in particular is set to see an overhaul.

James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all poised to depart in the summer as their contracts conclude, with loanee Arthur also on his way out, and Uruguayan Ugarte could be a brilliant addition to bring a new layer of robustness to the Reds' centre.

According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo, a fee of £53m would be required to prise the 22-year-old away from Lisbon, but his performances this term have been emphatic and with Newcastle United also circling, the Anfield hierarchy might be wise to act swiftly.

Should Liverpool sign Manuel Ugarte?

Despite the forthcoming midfield exodus at Anfield, Ugarte could be viewed as a replacement for Thiago Alcantara, who has cut a frustrating figure for much of his time at the outfit.

Signing for Liverpool from Bayern Munich for £25m in 2020, the 32-year-old Spaniard has dazzled with his superlative ability but has often been confined to the medical room, missing 60 matches across his three campaigns for the Reds, and could be running out of time to forge a central role in Klopp's plans.

Ugarte might not be a like-for-like change, but Klopp has not shirked from shifting the system before.

Gini Wijnaldum, relentless and tireless in his industrious midfield role, was replaced by the ball-playing wizard upon the expiry of his contract in 2021, a move which has arguably not quite worked.

For all of Thiago's brilliant qualities as a pass master, he doesn't quite fit the mould of a quintessential Jurgen Klopp midfielder, and Ugarte, who is himself an assured presence on the ball, completing a commendable career average 89.3% of his passes, could provide the vigour to raise the energy levels once more.

Thiago-Liverpool-Klopp-Premier-League

As per FBref, the Uruguayan menace ranks among the top 1% of midfielders in the 'Men's Next 8 divisions' (the leagues below the established big five) for pass completion, also in the top 10% for successful take-ons, the top 1% for tackles and the top 2% for interceptions per 90.

He is the "midfield machine", in the words of talent scout Jacek Kulig, that could revitalise Liverpool's central engine and navigate a course back to the forefront of English and European football, with his seasonal heat map for Sporting highlighting his unrelenting ubiquity.

Also praised as a "warrior" by Kulig, Ugarte would bring the iron-clad resolve back to Anfield and fortify the midfield with his imposing demeanour on the pitch.

With Thiago's fitness levels failing to meet the grade, Klopp must act ruthlessly and sign a prodigious talent awaiting a move to one of Europe's biggest teams.

Arsenal: Gunners Hoping For Imminent Agreement Announcement

Arsenal are hoping to announce Bukayo Saka's new contract before the end of this Premier League season with an agreement "all-but" reached.

What's the latest Arsenal contract news?

The north Londoners could be set for a serious summer of change beyond this campaign as a number of squad members approach the final seasons of their respective deals.

Youngster Reiss Nelson looks set to leave the Emirates Stadium as a free agent this summer, with more players out of contract next year.

Indeed, Saka, William Saliba, Jorginho, Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding and Mohamed Elneny could all depart Mikel Arteta's side on Bosmans in 2024 as things stand, though Arsenal have been making concerted efforts to tie down their key men.

Saliba, much like Saka, has been at the centre of prospective new contract talks – but the negotiations surrounding the latter player have been ongoing for quite some time.

bukayo-saka-arsenal-exhausted-newcastle-united-arteta-rest

Discussions over an extension for Saka have stretched as far back as last summer with the winger saying he held confidence over an agreement last August.

Luckily for supporters, it appears their prized asset is set to pen fresh terms, with The Independent and PA News Agency sharing an update on the 21-year-old's future.

It is believed an "agreement has all-but been reached" over a new deal for Saka with promotional footage and an announcement video already done behind-the-scenes.

The finer details are still to be sorted, but Arsenal are hoping to officially announce his new contract before the end of the campaign.

The importance of Saka for Arsenal

The Three Lions star has missed just one hour of league football this season, hitting 13 goals and 11 assists in the process to keep Arsenal well in contention for their first title in nearly 20 years.

Saka has quite simply dazzled under Arteta – standing out as the only top flight player to hit double figures for both goals and assists this season.

He also played a pivotal role for England in Qatar, scoring three World Cup goals on their run to the Quarter-Final stage.

Arteta has also praised Saka for his consistency, claiming it is "rare" for a player to perform at such a high level so regularly, explaining to the press:

"First of all, I think you have to recognise what he's been doing. The consistency he's shown at his age and at this level is something rare to see. He's taken it with normality."

Newcastle Could Sell £46k-A-Week Star This Summer

In-form Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson could leave the club this summer, according to a fresh update from transfer expert Dean Jones.

Is Wilson firing for Newcastle this season?

The Magpies are enjoying a memorable season in the Premier League, still looking likely to finish in the top four and secure a return to the Champions League. That's despite Saturday's 2-2 draw away to Leeds United, as they conceded late on and blew the chance to earn a priceless three points.

It was Wilson who scored both of Newcastle's goals at Elland Road, with the 31-year-old twice firing home from the penalty spot, and he is enjoying a good campaign overall. He has now netted 17 times in just 19 league starts – 28 appearances in total – as well as chipping in with four assists.

The £46,000-a-week attacker is out of contract at St James' Park next summer, however, and given his age, the Magpies could see the upcoming transfer window as the last chance to earn good money for him.

Newcastle's Callum Wilson celebrating a goal.

Could Wilson leave Magpies in the summer?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones admitted that there is a chance that Wilson could move on once the current campaign reaches its conclusion:

"There have been a few whispers about Callum Wilson potentially being available this summer, and it is interesting to think about whether they would genuinely consider it.

"For Wilson as a player, I don’t think it would be a great decision to move on from him just yet. He has great self-belief. He has a good goalscoring record in this division, and I get the feeling he is very determined not to be one of the players discarded as this project ramps up at Newcastle.

"But we should also consider it from a business point of view because that’s when I can understand why it might happen. He’s got another year on his deal. He’s 31 and up there with the highest earners at the club. If they were to extend his stay, they would have to continue to pay him very well, and maybe that’s what makes them consider what to do here."

This is definitely a surprise update, even if the idea of selling Wilson this summer does make sense in some ways, given his contract situation.

It is a tricky situation for the club, with the six-cap England international still playing at an extra level – Eddie Howe has called him "hugely important" – and likely to be a key player next season, too. That being said, losing him for free next year, when Newcastle could have cashed in and signed a younger alternative this time around, could be a bad business decision.

The best possible outcome could be offering Wilson a new short-term deal – one that keeps him at St James' for another couple of years – rather than a long-term extension.

Liverpool Can Forget Mac Allister With Incredible £50m Star

Premier League giants Liverpool are interested in signing Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ruben Neves this summer, with the Portuguese ace one year away from the expiry of his contract.

What's the latest on Ruben Neves to Liverpool?

According to Spanish outlet SPORT, front-runners Barcelona have hit a bump in the road regarding their pursuit of the Old Gold's star midfielder, with Ansu Fati reluctant to join the ranks at Molineux as part of a swap arrangement, complicating a prospective transfer.

Neves has been valued as high as £50m amid interest from Liverpool, though with just one season until Wolves will lose him for free, interested parties will be hopeful of whittling down the demands.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is in the market for midfielders after a largely torrid campaign, with James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita also all departing at the end of their contracts this summer.

Should Liverpool sign Ruben Neves?

Liverpool, without question, need to bolster their ranks with formidable replacements this summer, replacing the aforementioned trio with several discernible upgrades capable of reigniting the verve and steering towards trophy-laden success once again.

Jude Bellingham was the salient transfer target, though he now seems destined for a date with Real Madrid; attention has consequently moved on to the likes of Mason Mount and Alexis Mac Allister, with the latter in blistering seasonal form with Brighton & Hove Albion, collecting a World Cup trophy on the way too.

Despite the Reds looking to hold the lead in the race for the coveted midfielder, valued at £70m by his outfit, recent revelations have stated that the Argentine would only be looking to depart from the high-flying Seagulls should a suitor be able to provide him with Champions League football.

Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Ruben Neves.

While Liverpool have finally found form and constructed a seven-game winning streak in the Premier League, top four is still within Manchester United's hands, and ditching plans to sign the 24-year-old in place of his Wolves counterpart Neves could be a more auspicious move.

Okay, not exactly a like-for-like switch, but Curtis Jones' dominant two-goal performance against Leicester City in the Reds' previous match illustrates his growing influence as an attacking presence from the centre, with FBref actually likening him to Mac Allister.

His rise to prominence could leave Klopp targeting someone of Neves' ilk, bolstering the Anfield middle with an iron-clad grip and being the '"leader" – as hailed by BBC's Simon Stone – that the German manager covets.

As per Sofascore, the central monster has recorded an average league rating of 7.28, scoring six goals, completing 84% of his passes and averaging 2.3 tackles and clearances per match.

Hailed as "incredible" by former teammate Hugo Bueno, Klopp could bolster his midfield with a tried and tested phenom, robust and ready to pump vibrant life back into a Liverpool team desperate for illustrious success once again.

Pochettino Making A Mistake Eyeing "Reject" at Chelsea

Chelsea's prospective new boss is eyeing a reunion with his former Tottenham Hotspur colleague Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg at Stamford Bridge as he looks to beef up the Blues' midfield, though journalist Dean Jones believes 'it would be a strange' move.

What's the latest on Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Chelsea?

According to one outlet in Spain, Pochettino is said to have 'requested' that Chelsea try to sign Spurs anchorman Hojbjerg this summer, someone who the Argentine previously worked with during his spell in north London in charge of the Lilywhites.

The report states that Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is willing to shell out for further squad additions in the forthcoming transfer window. Hojbjerg has been earmarked as someone with plenty of Premier League experience, battling qualities and is also technically adept, which could add some steel to the Blues' midfield moving forward.

In recent times, the 27-year-old has spoken about his side's struggles to find any real consistent footing in 2022/23, as per Sky Sports via The Evening Standard, stating: “When you have three coaches in a very short time, there is some instability. We know that this is a part of this world that in a game, in a season, there will be some instability. There will be insecurity, there will be a lack of energy when you are changing coaches. You kind of lose your way a bit, your values."

He has also come under fire for his own form this term from BBC pundit Charlie Adam, who criticised the enforcer on The Monday Night Club on 5 Live Sport, saying: “He does what he wants to do [Hojbjerg]. He just walks around.”

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Dean Jones has his doubts over whether Hojbjerg would be an ideal signing for Chelsea under Pochettino, as he said: "It would be a strange one to go in and make straight away. It would look like he was signing almost a Tottenham reject at this point. Given the reputation he seems to have among some of the fan base from recent times, it might not look like great for PR. Only Pochettino knows the exact identity that he wants in that midfield now to come in."

Should Chelsea look to make a move for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this summer?

Hojbjerg has been a perfectly serviceable midfielder during his time in the Premier League and has distinguishable qualities; however, there are questions as to where he would fit into this Chelsea side.

The Blues have an overwhelming quantity of options in the middle of the park, while the futures of Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher are still yet to be determined, which could be problematic when trying to bring midfield additions into the club this summer.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg plays in the Champions League for Tottenham Hotspur in the last 16 against AC Milan.

Boehly admitted that huge mistakes have been made since he took over at Chelsea, and this could be yet another one.

As per FBRef, the 27-year-old has struggled to impose himself in the tackle as much as he would've liked, with Hojbjerg hovering just above the bottom 20% of midfielders across Europe for number of players tackled across the last 365 days, managing just 1.62 per 90 minutes all in.

In the Premier League, the £100k-a-week ace has also only created five big chances across the entire campaign, showing that Pochettino can surely do better in terms of bringing in a midfielder to break between the lines.

Overall, Hojbjerg has made 44 appearances for Spurs in 2022/23 across all competitions, registering five goals and seven assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster criticised the Dane for his role in Spurs' 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend on his YouTube channel, stating: “There was a clip doing the rounds last night of Hojbjerg. A fan has just focused on him for about a 30-second period. Tottenham don’t have the ball, so he’s doing a bit of defensive work. It’s painful. It’s a painful watch. He just looks lost. He doesn’t really know when to press, he doesn’t really know when to sit back in. He’s just wandering around, a few arms getting flinged about."

This is further backed up by a video that surfaced online after Spurs' defeat to Aston Villa, with Hojbjerg looking lethargic and lazy with not a care in the world, which is something Pochettino cannot risk after the season Chelsea have just had.

Looking ahead, Pochettino will surely be looking for a better alternative to help solidify the midfield area as Chelsea aim to bounce back in 2023/24.

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