Thomas Muller blasted by animal rights group, Chelsea ‘offer Antonio Rudiger almost £200k per week’, Neymar burgled

Messi mixes brands

Lionel Messi stars in Paris Saint-Germain’s latest Nike kit launch… despite wearing adidas boots.

The French giants unveiled their latest mid-season Nike x Jordan design in a campaign that features the likes of Messi, Kylian Mbappe and other stars.

But in featuring Messi, photographers were forced to get creative to hide his rival adidas footwear.

In some images, a box with the words ‘Jordan Paris Saint-Germain Spring 22’ written sits at Messi’s feet.

While in another Mbappe sits on the floor, his outstretched leg blocking view of Leo’s boots.

Tottenham’s transfer plans

Tottenham will look to sign young players and those with expiring contracts in the summer, according to reports.

Spurs’ director of football Fabio Paratici is thought to have identified three players that the club will try to secure at the end of the season.

According to The Mail, the first name on that shortlist is Monaco midfielder Mamadou Coulibaly.

The U18 French international’s deal with the Ligue 1 side is set to be up at the end of the current campaign.

And Paratici, who has connections in the French transfer market, will look to take full advantage of that by luring him to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Looking away from England

Fifa has approved on-loan Leicester ace Ademola Lookman’s nationality switch from England to Nigeria.

Lookman, 24, came through the youth ranks with England at both U19 and U21 level.

But with Lookman far off a senior international call-up to Gareth Southgate’s squad, Lookman decided he’d make the switch to play for Nigeria.

And according to The Associated Press, Fifa have approved the switch.

Shearer’s statue’s on the move

Alan Shearer statue is finally set to be moved on to Newcastle home turf… six years after it was erected.

The £250,000 sculpture was put up outside St James’ Park by the city council way back in 2016.

But former owner Mike Ashley refused to have it on the grounds owned by Newcastle United.

However, as reported by the Newcastle Chronicle, a change in ownership looks on course to mean a change in location.

Planning application has been submitted to get the 16ft bronze bust brought inside the Toon’s official boundary.

If there are no objections, the switch should get the green light.

Southampton troll Antonio Conte

Southampton have brutally trolled Antonio Conte after the Tottenham boss ‘shushed them’… only to later lose.

The Italian, 52, was clearly upset at something that occurred during the match and let his emotions get the better of him.

And he was evidently feeling boastful after Son Heung-min scored to put his side 2-1 up with 20 minutes to go.

Conte turned towards the Saints bench, put his finger to his lip and began to shush his opposite bench.

But unfortunately for Conte he was left to rue that act as Southampton scored twice in five minutes to turn the game on its head.

And it was Southampton manager Ralph Hassenhuttl who had the last laugh as his side came away with a 3-2 win.

The Saints social media admin also had a good chuckle, posting a video of the shush before cutting to a miserable looking Conte at full-time.

And several Saints fans also chimed in to mock the Italian.

Broj of honour

Chelsea loanee Armando Broja was seen beating the Southampton badge on his chest after scoring in Thursday’s 3-2 win at Tottenham.

The striker, 19, netted his sixth Premier League goal of the season as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints completed an incredible comeback in north London.

Reports claim Southampton are willing to break their transfer record with a £25million bid for Broja this summer.

And the Albanian international did little to downplay talks of a permanent move as he proudly beat the Saints crest on his jersey after a 23rd minute equaliser against Spurs.

It prompted Southampton fans to dream of an incredible summer heist, having already pinched top young right-back Tino Livramento from Stamford Bridge.

One gushed: “We gotta buy him.”

In the wink of an eye

Harry Winks thought his Tottenham career was ‘dead and buried’ under Jose Mourinho and Nuno Espirito Santo.

The Spurs academy product and lifelong fan feared his time at his boyhood idols was up when he was frozen out by his previous two bosses.

But new boss Antonio Conte has brought him back in from the cold to the first-team since taking over in November.

Winks said: “The manager’s come in and given me a chance, given me confidence again.

“Every game I play, every training session I have that hunger to try to impress him and do everything I can to try to improve.

“My career at Tottenham was probably dead and buried but he’s come in and given me an opportunity to show myself and prove myself.

“And for that, every time I get an opportunity I really want to impress the manager and show myself and repay that faith he’s shown in me and put it back to me.”

Real love in Paris

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain’s owners will have dinner together on Valentine’s Day, according to reports.

The two clubs have not always seen eye to eye with Real’s approach for Kylian Mbappe putting a strain on relations.

But with Mbappe’s future uncertain the pair are set to meet in a bid to clear the air and improve their relationship.

Real president Florentino Perez and his PSG counterpart Nasser Al-Khelaifi will sit down for dinner before their teams play in the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, report Spanish outlet El Chiringuito TV.

The meeting will take place in Paris as the French side host Real the following day.

Joe Cole’s got faith in Lampard

Joe Cole is backing ex-Chelsea pal Frank Lampard to ‘definitely keep Everton up’ this season for three key reasons.

Lampard, 43, was confirmed as Rafa Benitez’s successor last month – a year after he was sacked by the Blues.

Cole told Coral: “The Everton job is a great opportunity for Frank, one of the best. You will never get a better chance to take Everton up the table.

“They still have an owner who is committed and will spend money, the fans hated the previous manager so will get behind you, and the players have been underperforming but will get better.

“He will definitely keep them up. Give it a couple of weeks and results will begin to turn and I don’t think they will be in a relegation battle.

“Then next season he can really get to work with backing from the owner and a new stadium on the horizon. The future looks so bright.”

England’s World Cup rankings

England have been confirmed as top seeds for the 2022 World Cup – despite dropping one place in the latest Fifa world rankings.

Gareth Southgate’s side were leapfrogged by Argentina – who won their World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Colombia – to fall to fifth.

But with the top seven in the rankings joining hosts Qatar in the elite group of eight for the April 1 draw in Doha, England cannot lose their top berth.

Belgium, Brazil and France are ahead of Argentina and England in the latest rankings while seventh-placed Spain are also guaranteed a seeding spot.

And the final seed will be either Italy or Portugal – assuming one of them wins their World Cup play-off mini-group next month.

If neither go through, it would open the door for Denmark or Holland to sneak into the top seeding bracket.

Meanwhile, Brazil are set to end Belgium’s three and a half year reign at the top of the rankings when they complete their qualifying campaign next month, with the Red Devils only playing friendlies.

Of the other Home Nations, Wales stay 20th, Scotland are 40th and Northern Ireland 54th.

Man United’s new sponsors

Man United have announced a £20million-a-year kit sponsorship with blockchain platform Tezos.

The brand will feature on both the men’s and women’s training kits.

United‘s training kit has been left bare so far this season after their deal with Aon expired last season.

Tezos’ branded kit will make its debut this week ahead of United’s first-team game against Southampton.

Arsenal keen on keeping Saka

Arsenal will hold talks with Bukayo Saka over a new contract.

The exciting 20-year-old still has two more years to run on his current agreement, which is thought to be worth just £35,000 a week.

But Mikel Arteta wants to recognise Saka’s increasing importance to his team by making him one of the highest-paid players at the club.

With Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United all monitoring Saka’s situation, Arteta knows that Arsenal’s position will be enhanced if they can secure Champions League qualification this season.

The Gunners boss said: “We are going to have a conversation with the player and then with his family and his agent so that everybody is on board.

“Obviously our desire is to keep Bukayo for as long as possible because we are really happy with him.

“He is part of our DNA who is growing and maturing all the time.

“His importance to the team is unquestionable and we want to keep our best talent at the club, that’s for sure.”

Prem clubs financial winners and losers

Man United and Arsenal have made staggering transfer losses in the last five years.

The two Premier League giants have made losses north of £150million.

United’s reckless spending has put them in a hole to the tune of £192m.

Arsenal don’t look any better with the Gunners recording a loss of £163m in the past five years.

Fellow members of the ‘Big Six’, Manchester City and Tottenham, have also made losses in player sales.

City are in the red by £132m whereas Spurs are only at £52m.

On the other hand, Liverpool and Chelsea have turned a profit on player sales in the last five years.

Liverpool are up by a tasty £93m and Chelsea have made an eye watering £199m.

Calls for Zouma prosecution

Kurt Zouma could be prosecuted for animal cruelty as more than 150,000 people sign a petition calling for justice.

More than 150,000 Brits have signed a petition calling for the Met to launch a probe.

The Change.org petition, started by Matthew Dixon, says: “Professional football player Kurt Zouma was filmed horrendously abusing a defenceless animal.

“He should be prosecuted for his actions.”

Muller accused of animal cruelty

Thomas Muller has become the latest footballer to be accused of animal cruelty… after his prize stallion was injured ‘rehearsing’ for the breeding season.

Germany striker Muller has been blasted by animal rights charity Peta after revealing the bizarre injury suffered by his horse D’Avie, referred to as ‘Dave’.

Peta spokesperson Jana Hoger fumed: “It is awful that self-styled horse lovers force the animals in their care into unnatural sex acts in order to make the maximum profit from them.

“The injuries that D’Avie suffered under Lisa and Thomas Muller’s supervision were avoidable and unnecessary.”

Antonio’s view on Zouma row

Michail Antonio has given a powerful response following West Ham team-mate Kurt Zouma’s horrific cat attack.

The 27-year-old Frenchman has received widespread criticism for the sickening clip which showed him kicking and slapping his pet cat.

Antonio turned things around on an interviewer when he was quizzed about the incident.

The West Ham striker said: “I’ve got a question for you. So, do you think what he has done is worse than racism?”

To which the interviewer responded: “It’s two different things isn’t it.”

Antonio then continued: “I’m not condoning a thing that he has done. I don’t agree with what he has done at all.

“But there’s people that have been convicted and caught for racism and they have played football afterwards.

“They got punished, they got an eight-game punishment or something like that. But people are now calling for people to be sacked, to lose their livelihood.

“I’ve just got to ask this question to everybody out there. Is what he’s done [Zouma] worse than what the people have done that are convicted for racism?”

Not Keane on Sunderland job

Roy Keane is OUT of the running for the vacant Sunderland job.

The Manchester United legend managed the Black Cats between 2006-08 and looked certain to return after two interviews in the last week with sporting director Kristjaan Speakman.

According to The Athletic, it is thought that Keane was offered the position on Wednesday.

But as of Thursday morning, Keane will NOT be the man on the touchline at the Stadium of Light.

Keane is said to be no longer under consideration for the role.

Arsenal’s Saka contract worry

Arsenal are reportedly concerned they could struggle to tie Bukayo Saka down to a new contract.

The Mail claims Gunners chiefs have made it a priority to extend the deal of their brightest star, 20.

Saka’s current contract expires in 2024, and Arsenal want to boost his £35,000-a-week wages to match their highest earners.

However, those behind the scenes are concerned that Saka could snub an extension should Mikel Arteta fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

And Champions League veterans Liverpool and Man City are said to be interested in the winger.

Moonpig’s Ronaldo card backlash

Moonpig have removed a Cristiano Ronaldo Valentine’s Day card and apologised for its distasteful content.

The product was being sold on their website but has now been taken down after backlash.

The front of the card featured Ronaldo in a Manchester United kit underneath the words: “Nothing will stop me scoring this Valentine’s Day.”

In light of Ronaldo being accused of sexual assault by Kathryn Mayorga, Moonpig have apologised for any upset caused.

Ronaldo has consistently denied claims he sexually assaulted Mayorga.

Man United target’s wage demands

Man United transfer target Manuel Akanji reportedly wants to DOUBLE his wages as Borussia Dortmund set their asking price for the defender.

Dortmund have been trying to tie him down to a new deal – improving his contract worth £4.2million to a more lucrative £6.75m.

But Akanji has refused to sign as he is holding out for a figure in the region of £8.4m.

Liverpool need more than Diaz

Glen Johnson reckons Liverpool need more than Luis Diaz to help them catch Prem league leaders Man City.

Johnson thinks Diaz will be a good addition to the Reds’ squad, but he doubts one signing is enough for Jurgen Klopp’s side to close the gap between them and City.

Speaking to bettingodds.com, Johnson said: “I’m excited and he’s a good player. He looks like he’s already settled but I don’t want to judge him too soon.

“His signing will have given other players a boost, but if they want to catch Manchester City then they’re going to need a boost.

“I don’t think one player is good enough to bridge the gap with Manchester City, but I do think they’ve made a good addition to their squad.

“Luis Díaz will be knocking on the door for a place in the first eleven. If they were aiming to close the gap quicker then they may have needed a couple more players of the same quality to come in.”

Spurs line up NFL hosting bid

Tottenham are reportedly preparing a stunning bid to host the 2026 Super Bowl at their new £1billion stadium.

It would be the first time ever the NFL showpiece is staged on foreign soil.

As first revealed by SunSport back in 2019, the North Londoners are lining up their offer should the grand finale be taken overseas.

Spurs already have a ten-year contract in place to stage two matches per season at their new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, as reported by the Daily Mail, they may face hurdles hosting the 2026 Super Bowl due to the time difference.

It would need to be a very late kick-off in London to hit the prime US viewing slot, with more than 100million usually watching the biggest event of the year.

That could cause problems with Haringey Council – but an earlier time may put off advertisers if viewing figures will drop.

West Ham lose second sponsor

A second West Ham sponsor has withdrawn support for the club after Kurt Zouma was recorded kicking one of his cats like a football.

Experience Kissimmee, the tourism authority for Osceola County in Florida, has now dropped its support of West Ham.

In a tweet, the organisation said: “Experience Kissimmee announced today that it has ended its sponsorship of West Ham United Football Club.”

Vitality has also suspended its sponsorship with “immediate effect”.

The company said it was “hugely disappointed” by the club after Zouma was allowed to play – hours after The Sun exclusively revealed the video.

France manager Deschamps slams Zouma

France manager Didier Deschamps has slammed defender Kurt Zouma after the emergence of a video showing him abusing his cat.

 Deschamps is just the latest individual in football to condemn Zouma’s actions.

He said: “I was very surprised by Kurt. This is something that is inadmissible, intolerable and cruelty without a name.

“I’m sure he became aware of it but these images are shocking and unbearable.”

Mourinho explains Sanchez’s Man United hell

Jose Mourinho has revealed why Alexis Sanchez was not happy at Manchester United.

The Chilean international arrived at Old Trafford in January 2018 following four impressive years with Arsenal.

But he failed to replicate that level of performance for the Red Devils, scoring just five times in 45 games.

Eventually, in the summer of 2019, he secured a move to Inter Milan – where he still is now.

And Roma boss Mourinho, who coached Sanchez for the first 12 months of his spell at the Theatre of Dreams, spoke with the player during Inter’s 2-0 win over his side on Tuesday.

He said: “In England he was not happy, it was not his natural habitat, it is here.”