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    Why Inter Milan want Joshua Zirkzee in shock transfer despite Man Utd striker’s struggles in Premier League

    INTER MILAN are interested in signing Joshua Zirkzee this summer, according to reports.The Champions League finalists are set to enter the market for a striker to compete with first choice pairing Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram.Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with a move to Inter MilanCredit: GettyManchester United star Zirkzee has emerged as a shock option for a San Siro move after a tough first year in England.The 23-year-old joined United from Bologna last summer but has managed just seven goals in all competitions.Reports from Corriere dello Sport claim Inter believe they can get Zirzkee on loan with an option or obligation to buy.Simone Inzaghi desperately wants to bolster his squad depth in attacking areas.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe club believe the drop in quality from Martinez and Thuram to back-up options Joaquin Correa and veteran pair Marko Arnautovic and Mehdi Taremi is too large.Inter are enjoying another strong season but have fallen behind leaders Napoli in the Serie A title race with two games to go.They also crashed out the Coppa Italia semi-finals and lost the Supercoppa Italiana final.Inter reportedly think that signing another top quality striker will see them have enough to go all the way in every competition.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe club also like that Zirkzee offers them “tactical solutions” and they believe his “technical quality and creativity” suits playing in a strike partnership.A move back to Italy has been rumoured since January with Juventus also said to be keen.Casemiro STAYING at Man Utd? Amorim’s Shock U-Turn Explained!But Juve’s interest may have been cooled due to them sacking manager Thiago Motta, who got the best from Zirkzee at Bologna.The Dutchman is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in April and is set to miss the rest of this season.United want to sign a new striker this summer, with Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres and Ipswich’s Liam Delap among those linked.Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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    The incredible XI Man City could have had for FREE instead of spending up to half a BILLION pounds in 2025

    MANCHESTER CITY could have had a line-up full of superstars – without paying a penny.The City academy has produced some gems in recent years, but few remain at the club.Pep Guardiola is plotting a big rebuild this summerCredit: AlamyMan City sold Cole Palmer to Chelsea in 2023Credit: GettyDelap left City last summer and is now in high demandCredit: RexCity are eyeing Florian Wirtz in a record dealCredit: GettyPep Guardiola still has the likes of Phil Foden, Nico O’Reilly and Rico Lewis at his disposal thanks to the youth department, yet is set to spend hundreds of millions to revamp his squad this summer.But had they done things differently, City could have already possessed some of the most talented players in the league.In demand striker Liam Delap was let go last summer and is on the radar of several Prem clubs, including Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United, as is former City goalkeeper James Trafford, who kept 29 Championship clean sheets this season.Chelsea have been big beneficiaries of City’s academy set-up and now boast three former Cityzens – Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Tosin Adarabioyo.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Blues have also been linked with another ex-City star, Morgan Rogers.The midfielder has been a standout player this season for Aston Villa and earned his first England caps.Another player who could make a move this summer is Jeremie Frimpong, who played for City’s academy between 2010 and 2019 before moving to Celtic.The right-back has since helped Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga and could make a £33million switch to Liverpool when the transfer window reopens.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSTwo other City players have impressed playing abroad too – Michael Olise at Bayern Munich and Eric Garcia, who looks set to win LaLiga with Barcelona.City’s former academy stars did not cost anything for the club to bring in, and some have since fetched eye-watering fees.Patrice Evra claims Samir Nasri told him he made a mistake snubbing Man Utd for CityIt appears the club is set to break the bank once again to get back to title-winning ways.City’s top priority is Leverkusen talisman Florian Wirtz, who could cost a British record £126m.City have also approached AC Milan to sign Tijjani Reijnders although they are yet to submit a bid.Milan want around £60m for the Dutch midfielder, which would make him their biggest sale in their history.Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento is also on Pep Guardiola’s radar.Liverpool target Jeremie Frimpong spent nine years in the City academyCredit: Shutterstock EditorialMichael Olise has found success since leaving the Cityzens as a youngsterCredit: Getty More

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    Gary Neville reveals shock combined Man Utd and Spurs XI that gives him ‘sickly feeling’ going into Europa League final

    GARY NEVILLE has insisted that only ONE Manchester United player would get into Tottenham’s starting XI.The Red Devils take on Spurs in the Europa League final on May 21 as they look to end their catastrophic season on a high.Gary Neville has claimed only Bruno Fernandes would start at TottenhamCredit: GettyThe midfielder has been a bright spark for Manchester United this seasonCredit: ReutersA spot in next season’s Champions League is at stake as both teams try to salvage their campaigns with both hovering just above the relegation zone.Man Utd reached the final by thrashing Athletic Bilbao while Spurs eased past Bodo/Glimt.The two sides currently sit 16th and 17th in the Premier League, having both lost their last match at the weekend.West Ham’s 2-0 win at Old Trafford saw Graham Potter’s side leapfrog the two and put them just above the bottom three.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSpurs have been able to win three times against Man Utd this season, twice in the Prem and once in the EFL Cup.Neville is aware of this and admitted that he has a “sickly feeling” about the match in Bilbao.The United legend has also insisted that only Fernandes would get into Ange Postecoglou’s side when every player is fit.Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, he said: “I have got a sickly feeling about this game next Wednesday.Most read in Europa LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS”The biggest reason I have a sickly feeling about this game is when I look at every player in the team, [Dejan] Kulusevski, [Heung-min] Son, Brennan Johnson, Dominic Solanke, James Maddison if he was fit, [Yves] Bissouma and [Pape] Sarr, [Cristian] Romero and [Micky] van de Ven and [Pedro] Porro and [Destiny] Udogie.”When you look at those players like for like with United, only Bruno [Fernandes] would get into the first XI of Spurs.‘Spurs does crazy things to people’ – Postecoglou takes swipe at Wenger as Arsenal legend proposes shock rule change”I would select every single Tottenham player.”The goalkeeper is a 50-50 split because I’m not a big fan of Vicario and I am not a fan of Onana.”But I would choose every single player of Tottenham’s over Manchester United’s next Wednesday. That is my worry.”Fernandes, 30, has played a key role in helping United reach the final of the Europa League.He has scored seven goals and assisted four more in his 13 appearances in the competition.Only Bodo’s Kasper Hogh and Olympiacos’ Ayoub El Kaabi have managed as many goals as the Portuguese midfielder.Meanwhile, Neville did make his prediction over which team would be victorious.Read More on The SunHe added: “United do have a couple of players, the likes of Casemiro and Bruno, they have something in them that will step up for a one-off game.”But if the players play like they should, Tottenham should win that game.” More

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    Sky Sports pundit replaced Nuno Espirito Santo as manager in one of most doomed spells in dugout

    NUNO ESPIRITO SANTO is hoping to complete a stunning achievement by taking Nottingham Forest into the Champions League.But he was once replaced by a Sky Sports pundit as manager at a previous job.Nuno Espirito Santo was Valencia boss for just over one seasonCredit: Getty Images – GettyHe led the Spanish side to fourth in LaLiga but then quit just a few months laterCredit: AFPAnd that led to one of the most doomed and infamous spells in the dugout.Santo, 51, spent 18 years as a curly-haired goalkeeper where he was largely a back-up for the No1.That included two stints at Porto, where he was part of the Champions League-winning squad under Jose Mourinho.But after retiring as a player in 2010, the Portuguese stepped into management – firstly spending two years at Rio Ave in his homeland.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe would later go on to manage Porto before four years with Wolves, 17 games at Tottenham, a stint at Al-Ittihad and now working wonders at the City Ground.But it was his second gaffer’s gig that sparked the links to the TV pundit. Santo led Rio Ave to the Europa League for the first time in their history at the end of his second season in charge.And that saw him attract plenty of interest – including from Spain.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSSanto signed a one-year deal in July 2014 to take over as Valencia manager.By the January of that 2014-15 campaign, he signed a contract extension until 2018.And he finished the season in fourth, taking four points off Real Madrid and picking up three LaLiga manager of the month awards. However, Santo suffered a poor start to the following campaign in both the league and Champions League.So much so that he resigned in November 2015.His replacement was… Gary Neville.Neville’s brother Phil and Salvador Gonzalez – who’s filled in at Valencia an incredible SEVEN times – took interim charge before Gary’s appointment on December 5.’MILLION MILES AWAY’But things went horribly wrong for Neville, whose only previous coaching experience was as Roy Hodgson’s assistant with England. His lack of Spanish didn’t help, either, and the ex-Manchester United defender failed to win any of his first nine LaLiga matches in charge.Valencia were also stuffed 7-0 by Barcelona in a Copa del Rey thrashing and Neville was eventually put out of his misery on March 30 with three league wins from 16 and his side 14th in the table, just six points clear of the relegation zone. Santo and Neville’s managerial careers have gone in very different directions since. The Portuguese gaffer succeeded at Wolves and is doing a tremendous job at Nottingham Forest, securing European football for next season.Gary Neville’s Valencia recordDates 2 December 2015 to 30 March 2016 Matches 28 Wins 10 Draws 7 Defeats 11 Win % 35.71 Goals scored 39 Goals conceded 38 Goal difference +1Biggest defeat 7-0 vs BarcelonaThat was guaranteed with Sunday’s eventful 2-2 draw with East Midlands rivals Leicester – but the result did put a major dent in Forest’s Champions League qualification dreams.And the match was overshadowed by Evangelos Marinakis storming on to the pitch to confront Santo about Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury – which has seen the Nigerian placed in an induced coma after urgent surgery. For Neville, though, he has turned his back on management – and now sticks to the TV studios and commentary gantries. Reflecting on his Valencia nightmare and leaving coaching behind, he said: “It’ll never happen, I’m a million miles away.”I love football and the camaraderie but I don’t want to be in that environment any more.“It was an unbelievable opportunity and it didn’t go as well as I wanted it to, but I enjoyed every minute and it taught me a lot and things I will apply to my business life.Read More on The Sun“I don’t regret going to Spain and I would have liked to have stayed in Valencia for 18 months, but I wouldn’t have continued in coaching.“The buzz from football up to the age of 32 was incredible and that can probably never be replaced, but compared to the last three years of my career, I enjoy what I’m doing now far more.”Santo was replaced by Gary NevilleCredit: EPAThe Englishman endured a horror four-month stint in chargeCredit: GettySanto was named manager of the month three times in his full seasonCredit: AP:Associated PressHe is now preparing to take Nottingham Forest into EuropeCredit: GettyNeville has not returned to management and has instead stuck to his punditry role with Sky SportsCredit: AFP More

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    Liverpool’s plan for Jeremie Frimpong revealed with Bayer Leverkusen wing-back to be played in new position

    ARNE SLOT has a bold tactical plan for Jeremie Frimpong if Liverpool can get a deal over the line.The Premier League champions will be in the market for a Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement this summer as he heads to Real Madrid.Jeremie Frimpong is linked with a move to LiverpoolCredit: GettyBayer Leverkusen star Frimpong is supposedly the club’s top target at right-back.The 24-year-old has a release clause worth around £33million but an agreement is still some way off.But shock reports from Sky Germany claim Frimpong might not play the same role as Alexander-Arnold.The Dutchman plays as an incredibly forward-thinking right-wing-back under Xabi Alonso.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Liverpool “plan to use him on the right flank in an attacking role – similar to his position at Leverkusen.”It is unclear if this means Slot is planning a formation change to a back three or whether the setup will remain the same on paper with a tactical tweak.Alexander-Arnold often drifts into central midfield, while Frimpong is more comfortable overlapping.He has even played as a conventional winger in the past and he could get a run of games there while Mo Salah is away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe tournament runs from December 21 to January 18, meaning Liverpool’s main man could miss a busy time of the season.Slot is set to go on a spending spree this summer as the club also want a centre-back, left-back and striker.Fans convinced Frimpong will join Liverpool after spotting his Holland camp antics The boss is set to be handed Liverpool’s biggest ever transfer budget. More

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    Ruthless Barcelona set for major summer transfer overhaul with Gavi among EIGHT stars at risk of sale

    BARCELONA are set for a mass summer overhaul with director of football Deco ready to move on a host of stars.The Catalan giants can wrap up the LaLiga title on Thursday with victory over city rivals Espanyol.Gavi is reportedly among those in danger of leaving Barcelona this summerCredit: GettyThe club will also listen to offers for Ronald AraujoCredit: GettyBarca are hopeful of tying down Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong to new long-term dealsCredit: ReutersBarca lead rivals Real Madrid by seven points and are on the cusp of a 28th crown.But despite a strong domestic performance, club icon Deco is preparing a ruthless summer window.Barcelona are willing to listen to offers for eight of their stars, according to reports.Spanish outlet SPORT claim the club is open to offers on Inaki Pena, Ronald Araujo, Hector Fort, Fermin Lopez, Gavi, Pau Victor, and Ansu Fati.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLBarca are desperate to tie down Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha to new deals.Raphinha has racked up 59 goal contributions this season and had been courted by a host of clubs in the Saudi Pro League.But the Brazilian looks set to pen an improved deal at the Nou Camp.The beefy new contract would keep him at the club until 2029. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKDe Jong, meanwhile, has emerged as a key player in Barca’s midfield since joining from Ajax in 2019.The Dutchman’s contract expires this summer and he is expected to extend his stay in Spain.Furious Vinicius Jr loses it at Barcelona fan waving beach ball at him in brutal message over Ballon d’Or snubBut the report claims a lucrative offer could tempt Barca to sell, with only wonderkid Lamine Yamal deemed “untouchable” in the squad. Goalkeeper Pena appears certain to leave the Catalan giants after being replaced as No1 by Wojciech Szczesny.Fati, 22, once tipped as the successor to Lionel Messi, is not in Hansi Flick’s plans moving forward.The former Brighton loanee has featured just six times in LaLiga this term, failing to find the net.Fati is contracted at the Nou Camp until 2027 – but his high salary may make him difficult to move on. More

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    ‘He was evil’ – Sir Alex Ferguson would be in JAIL if he managed today, jokes Man Utd legend Patrice Evra

    SIR ALEX FERGUSON’S “evil” management antics would land him in PRISON if he was still in the dugout, according to Patrice Evra. Evra, 43, saw the fiery Scot up close, playing under him for seven-and-a-half years at Manchester United between 2006 and 2013.Sir Alex Ferguson’s management style would land him in jail, according to Patrice EvraCredit: GettyEvra lost count of the number of players who were reduced to tears by the ScotCredit: YouTube / SDSAnd that meant he was exposed to the way Ferguson went about managing his players – which included the famous hairdryer treatment. But Evra joked in today’s football, Fergie’s methods would cross the line and see him in trouble with the law – after losing count of the number of players he reduced to tears.The former left-back told the SDS podcast: “If Ferguson was coaching right now he would probably end up in jail.”There’s no way Ferguson would not be in jail with what he would do to. READ MORE ON MAN UTD”Do you know how many players I saw cry because he gave them the hairdryer, throwing boots – he was evil.”Ferguson’s most high-profile incident came after an FA Cup defeat to Arsenal in 2003 when he kicked a boot at David Beckham, leaving the England captain with stitches just above his eye. But he was just as passionate and lost his temper over so-called friendlies, too.Evra recalled a time when Fergie let rip at a young Danny Welbeck in Saudi Arabia. Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordHe explained: “Wayne Rooney gave the ball to Welbeck but he missed the penalty.”We lost the game but it was a friendly, like a 45-minute game. Patrice Evra claims Samir Nasri told him he made a mistake snubbing Man Utd for City”When we got back into the dressing room, Ferguson [shouted] ‘Welbeck!’ “Me and Welbeck were in the toilet, he was having a pee, but Ferguson was shouting. “‘Who the f*** do you think you are, coming in the first team, taking a penalty?’ “I was like, ‘Boss, it’s just a friendly game.’ “He was like, ‘F*** the friendly game.'”I hope your leg is broken, a United player cannot cry at AnfieldSir Alex FergusonFerguson’s approach – however controversial and harsh it was – clearly had the desired effect.He won 38 trophies during his 26 years as Old Trafford boss, including 13 Premier Leagues, five FA Cups and two Champions Leagues. But the attitude he instilled in his United players, especially the senior members of the squad, led to some brutal treatment of some team-mates. Jamie Carragher’s shocking lunge into Nani at Anfield in 2011 left the Portuguese winger with a bleeding gash down his shin.But the likes of Paul Scholes allegedly said “f*** that” and refused to back Nani when they spotted him crying on the floor.’WE WERE BAD PEOPLE… WE DIDN’T CARE’According to the Frenchman, Ferguson fumed: “I hope your leg is broken, a United player cannot cry at Anfield.”Evra added: “We were bad people.”I want to apologise to all the youngsters who trained with us. We were animals.”After the game, we were waiting for the next day when we were going to kill Nani, to tell you how nasty we were, we didn’t care. “If you’re bleeding and you cry, you’re done, you’re not part of us. Read More on The Sun”Ferguson had to give him a week off to recover from that because we were waiting to kill him. “Even now in the United WhatsApp group, we still put that picture of Nani crying at Anfield.”Ferguson was notoriously harsh – even in friendliesCredit: Getty Images – GettyJamie Carragher cut Nani’s leg open with this horror tackle in 2011Credit: Sky SportsFerguson and Paul Scholes let rip at Nani for crying at AnfieldCredit: GettyDavid Beckham had stitches above his left eye after Fergie kicked a boot at himCredit: AFPEvra won five Premier League titles under Sir AlexCredit: EPAUnited’s players still joke about the Nani incident on WhatsAppCredit: Alamy More

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    World’s third-highest paid defender set to be unemployed after ripping up £390k contract with Cristiano Ronaldo’s side

    AYMERIC LAPORTE is set to become unemployed after ripping up his contract at Al-Nassr.The former Manchester City star is the third-highest-paid defender in the world with a weekly paycheck of £390,000.Aymeric Laporte is set to leave Al-NassrCredit: GettyHe joined the club back in 2023 from Manchester CityCredit: GettyOnly former Chelsea flop Kalidou Koulibaly and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk earn more than the Spaniard.Koulibaly is on an eye-watering £553,225-per-week at Al-Hilal while Van Dijk recently signed a £400,000-per-week deal at Anfield.Laporte, 30, made the move to Saudi Arabia in 2023 and has made 69 appearances for the club.He signed a three-year deal with Al-Nassr that was due to expire in 2026.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, he could walk away from the club – and his monster salary – before it ends.Spanish outlet AS reports Laporte has endured a “difficult relationship” with manager Stefano Pioli.He was left out of the squad for Al-Nassr’s Asian Champions League semi-final defeat against Kawasaki Frontale.Laporte will not be short of options should he leave the club in the coming days.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSReal Madrid were previously linked with a move for Laporte before he left Man City.The LaLiga giants are again in the market for a defender but are more likely to swoop for a younger player.Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, 14, given dad’s number and copies iconic pose as he makes Portugal debut with grandma watchingElsewhere, Ligue 1 outfit Marseille are among the favourites to snatch up the 40-capped ace.Laporte has been joined by some star names at Al-Nassr such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, Jhon Duran and Marcelo Brozovic.He has previously admitted to making the move to Riyadh for non-footballing reasons.He said: “To be honest, many of us have also come here not only for football.”Many of us are happy with that, but I am also looking for something beyond that is not the economic part and such.”In terms of quality of life, I expected something different because in the end here you spend three hours a day in the car.”Riyadh is a waste of traffic, of time wasted in the car.”Laporte’s career by numbersHere is a look at Aymeric Laporte’s career…ClubAthletic Bilbao, 2012–2018Appearances – 222Goals – 10Manchester City, 2018–2023Appearances – 180Goals – 12Al-Nassr, 2023-presentAppearances – 69Goals – 9International Spain, 2021-presentCaps – 40Goals – 2Honours:Supercopa de Espana x1, Premier League x5, FA Cup x2, EFL Cup x3, Community Sheild x1, Champions League x1, Uefa Super Cup x1, Euros x1, Nations League x1 More