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      Renee Slegers ready to guide Arsenal to trophies after landing permanent Gunners Women’s boss role

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      RENEE SLEGERS hopes to “deliver something beautiful” with Arsenal following her appointment as their permanent women’s team boss. The Netherlands-born head coah helped the WSL side turn their season around whilst serving as stand-in gaffer following Jonas Eidevall’s departure. Renee Slegers’ team will take on Crystal Palace at Meadow Park on Sunday in their first game following the WSL’s winter breakCredit: GettySlegers had a sitdown chat with Arsenal legend Ian Wright following her appointment as the club’s women’s team permanent head coachCredit: GettyThe Gunners boss wants to continue to nurture a collective sense of responsibility amongst her players and staffCredit: GettySlegers, who was Eidevall’s number two, has guided a team on an 11-game unbeaten run which includes them qualifying for the Women’s Champions League knockout stage. The Gunners finished top of their group after beating German outfit Bayern Munich 3-2 last December in their final group stage match. This follows them enduring a difficult start to their season with mixed results that include three winless home games in a row at the Emirates and a 5-2 loss away to Bayern in Europe. Since Slegers has taken charge the team have registered 10 wins and one draw across all competitions conceding just five goals. Read More Football StoriesAnd the Arsenal boss has put this down to collective ownership amongst players and staffOf her appointment Slegers, whose team host Crystal Palace on Sunday, said: “I’m so excited to be continuing our journey together.“It’s a wonderful honour to represent this club as head coach and I have so much belief in what we can all achieve together.  “Over the past few months, I’ve felt such a powerful sense of collective ownership and responsibility across our players and staff. Most read in Football”That has been our strength and I know we will make sure we drive and nurture this feeling as we all move forward.   “It has meant the world to me to feel the closeness and passion of our supporters during this process, and I want to thank you all for that. “We want to deliver something beautiful that’s inspiring and leads to winning trophies.  We all have a big part to play in achieving that.” Prior to coaching, Slegers represented Arsenal as a player following a stint in the club’s youth academy between 2006 and 2007. Her playing career also includes stints with Dutch side Willem II before a 2011 move to Sweden where she played for Djurgardens IF before joining Linkopings two years later. Russo’s form in front of goal has improved this term with the Arsenal striker scoring six times in her last four gamesCredit: GettyOn the international stage Slegers won 55 caps for the Netherlands before retiring in 2016 a year before their first European Championship win. As coach she guided FC Rosengard to back-to-back top-flight title wins in Sweden in 2021 and 2022 before leaving to become Arsenal’s assistant manager. Gunners director of women’s football Clare Wheatley said: “Renée has excelled during her time as interim head coach, bringing our team, club and supporters together and leading us to a hugely impressive run of results and performances. “We have undertaken a thorough recruitment process aimed at identifying the best candidate to lead our women’s first team at this exciting time. “Renée was the stand-out candidate throughout the process and we’re thrilled to be continuing our journey with her as our permanent head coach.”Under Slegers Arsenal have scored 31 goals in the WSL and Champions League this term.This includes Alessia Russo taking her goal tally to 11 this term READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd the striker’s performances and her manager’s efforts led to both winning the Barclays WSL player and manager awards for December. Arsenal are currently seven points behind league leaders and London rivals Chelsea who they will face at Stamford Bridge on January 26. More

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      BBC star and former Tottenham chief says he would SACK Ange Postecoglou and gives takeover update

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      TOTTENHAM should sack Ange Postecoglou, claims the club’s former chief executive Claude Littner.The 75-year-old will be most familiar to many football fans as Alan Sugar’s right-hand man on The Apprentice.Ange Postecoglou has overseen a torrid season at TottenhamCredit: GettyApprentice star Claude Littner would fire PostecoglouCredit: PA:Press AssociationDuring Lord Sugar’s ownership of Spurs in the 1990s, however, Littner worked as chief executive at White Hart Lane.He resigned as one of the club’s directors in 2001, around the time that Daniel Levy became chairman.Following Tottenham’s 2-1 North London derby defeat to Arsenal earlier this week, a fan wrote on X: “Well @claudelittner can you please have a word with levy and tell him to fire postocoglou.”Littner responded: “I have no influence over Daniel. I believe he has the best interests of Spurs at heart.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”I would dismiss Ange. He is way out of his depth.”Littner then added his opinion on Tottenham’s ownership situation.He continued: “Daniel is no fool & urgently needs a buyer with deep pockets to acquire the Club & invest in top players.”The sooner, the better.”Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYLittner, right, worked as Tottenham chief executive under Alan SugarCredit: Times Newspapers LtdTottenham are languishing in 14th in the Premier League with just 24 points from 21 games.They have won just one of their last nine Prem matches, and are closer to the relegation zone than the European places.SunSports’ Tom Barclay speaks on Tottenham’s current poor form which has led the club to the cup of a relegation battle Postecoglou now has a worse win percentage as Spurs boss than unpopular former managers Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.But for now at least, it’s claimed that Tottenham chiefs are not planning to make a change.One saving grace for Postecoglou this season has been Spurs’ performances in the cups.Having knocked out both Manchester clubs in previous rounds, Tottenham hold a slender 1-0 semi-final lead over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, ahead of next month’s Anfield second leg.Spurs are ninth in the Europa League league phase and will likely achieve a top eight finish with wins in their remaining two games, against Hoffenheim and Elfsborg.They will travel to Aston Villa in the FA Cup fourth round, having beaten non-league Tamworth 3-0 after extra time last weekend. More

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      Michail Antonio health update after breaking leg in horror car crash as Graham Potter meets with stricken West Ham star

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      MICHAIL ANTONIO was at West Ham’s training ground yesterday to meet new boss Graham Potter for the first time.The Hammers striker, 34, is out for the season following his horror car crash on December 7.Michail Antonio visited West Ham’s training ground after his horror car crashCredit: GettyThe striker met new boss Graham Potter for the first timeCredit: PAAntonio has been back at the club since being discharged from hospital on New Year’s Eve.But he had previously only spoken to Potter over the phone.Before they met up, the ex-Brighton and Chelsea chief, 49, said: “I was planning to see him today, this afternoon.“I spoke to him on the phone, had a really good chat with him.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He’s doing well. But it’ll be nice to see him.”Antonio broke his leg and also suffered a number of minor injuries after crashing his Ferrari FF near Theydon Bois, Essex.The forward was airlifted to hospital after the horror smash.After returning home last month, Antonio thanked the emergency services and football community.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe said: “Every year around this time, I’m asked what I’m grateful for, and every year I’ve struggled to find the right words.”But this year, I know exactly what I’m grateful for: being alive.West Ham fans pay emotional tribute to Michail Antonio with ninth-minute applauseAntonio was airlifted to hospital after smashing his FerrariCredit: Steve BellThe ace broke his leg and was released from hospital on New Year’s EveCredit: Instagram @michailantonio”I’ve spent so many years taking life for granted. I made plans for the next day, the next year, always assuming tomorrow was guaranteed.”What I’ve been through recently has opened my eyes.”Life is fragile, and every single moment matters. I’m so grateful to God for giving me the strength to keep going and for allowing me to still be here.”To the emergency services, the NHS, the Air Ambulance, everyone at the Royal London and Cromwell hospitals and everyone from top to bottom at West Ham United FC.”The medical team, the board, all of the staff, my teammates and the amazing West Ham fans… I honestly could not have got through this without you. thank you from the bottom of my heart.”To my loved ones who stood by my side throughout everything, I can’t express how much you mean to me.”Lastly, to the whole football community thank you for all the love and support you’ve shown me. It has truly meant the world.”I love you all and I am endlessly grateful for every one of you. Happy New Year- and I’ll be back on that pitch soon.”Michail Antonio’s incredible riseBy Jon BoonThe outpouring of love from the football community for Michael Antonio has been massive, with the striker recognised as a big character in the game.The Wandsworth-born forward started from humble beginnings – playing for non-league Tooting & Mitcham United.After impressing in 2008, he was offered a trial at Reading – some five divisions up – and Alan Pardew duly snapped him up.However, he later revealed he got kicked out by Tooting, after he refused to sign a contract.Antonio said: “They kicked me out because I refused to sign a contract.“I was like: ‘If someone comes in for me I don’t want to be tied down. I want to be able to go and not you out price me’.”Following spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest, in 2015 he was plucked from the Championship in a £7million deal by West Ham.He’s been there ever since, winning a player of the year award, twice being named Premier League player of the month and lifting a European trophy.Away from football, Antonio has bravely opened up about his mental health struggles in recent times.The Jamaica international was recently asked by Gary Lineker on the Rest is Football podcast what he would like to do when he retires from the game.He revealed: “I want to go into entertainment.”So more on the basis of A League of Their Own, Play to the Whistle…”Read more about Michail Antonio’s incredible rise and life away from the game. More

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      Ex-Everton and Barcelona star Gerard Deulofeu may never play again with horror injury ‘beyond biology’

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      GERARD DEULOFEU has heartbreakingly admitted his career may be OVER due to the knee injury that blighted his time with Udinese.The Spain international has suffered multiple setbacks – including infected cartilage – since he tore his ACL in November 2022.Gerard Deulofeu suffered a horror knee injury in November 2022Credit: GETTYThe former Barcelona and Everton man has suffered numerous setbacks over the last two yearsCredit: INSTAGRAM@GERARDDEULOFEUThe setbacks have led to the mutual termination of his contract with UdineseCredit: GETTYAnd the 30-year-old has agreed to terminate his contract with the Serie A side, which he announced in an agonising social media post.The former Barcelona and Everton star said in a video: “I tore my anterior cruciate ligament two years ago against Napoli.”But [I] recovered and was able to play against Sampdoria despite the tear.”The bad news arrived after that match, when I knew I’d need surgery.“After that operation, I got an infection in the cartilage.”That is tough to get over, because the bones grind up against each other and it goes beyond a normal injury.“I have been fighting for two years against something that goes beyond biology.”Despite his repeated setbacks, Deulofeu is refusing to give up hope of one day returning to the pitch.Most read in SportGerard Deulofeu is refusing to give up hope of playing football againCredit: EPAHe said: “I feel better now than I did a few months ago, but we’ll see what happens.“I have always had an incredible rapport with Udinese and it means so much to me that they supported and waited for me.Leighton Baines praises Everton response after victory on ‘difficult day’ “If I do return to football one day, it will be with this jersey, for all that the club and its fans did to support me.“We have agreed to terminate the contract, but the relationship and support remain special.”Deulofeu joined Udinese in October 2020 following a two-season stint with Watford.The Spaniard leaves the club with a record of 16 goals and 13 assists in 63 appearances. More

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      Captaincy options for Gameweek 20: Erling Haaland seeking hat-trick repeat against Ipswich

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      IT’S once again time for Dream Team managers to elect a captain for the Gameweek ahead.The gist of last week’s captaincy article was that gaffers who bet against Mohamed Salah (£8.1m) were likely to be rewarded and so it proved to be.Liverpool’s main man mustered just five points after being rested against Accrington Stanley and constricted by Nottingham Forest.Salah was guilty of a rare off-day against ForestCredit: GettyAll the alternatives we recommended – Bruno Fernandes (£6.2m), Alexander Isak (£6m) and Eberechi Eze (£4.9m) – registered at least twice as many points as Salah in Gameweek 19.But that was then and this is now.Should gaffers go against the Egyptian superstar again or trust he’ll bounce back in Gameweek 20 versus Brentford and Lille?The Bees boast a formidable home record but they have conceded plenty of goals at the Gtech this season.Liverpool’s spot in the Champions League round of 16 is essentially guaranteed but it would be a surprise if Arne Slot eased up in Europe; he’ll want to finish the league phase on top.All things considered, Salah is a considerably stronger captain for Gameweek 20 than he was in Gameweek 19 and that will be enough for many Dream Team bosses.Haaland took home the game ball last time he met IpswichCredit: GettyThere are still gaffers who refuse to strip Erling Haaland (£8m) of the armband and these loyalists have every reason to feel confident of substantial returns in the coming days.Most read in FootballManchester City are still making too many errors but they have scored more than their fair share of goals lately – 16 in their last four games to be precise.Pep Guardiola’s travel to Portman Road this Sunday and their big No9, fresh off a new long-term contract, will be hopeful of getting on the scoresheet having bagged a hat-trick against Ipswich in the reverse fixture back in August.Wednesday’s trip to the French capital to face PSG can hardly be considered a favourable match-up but the Ligue 1 giants have fared even worse than City in the Champions League this season.Alternatively, Phil Foden’s (£6.2m) backers might be tempted to double his points this coming Gameweek.The England international has banked 60 points from his last six outings via four goals and two assists.A man in formCredit: AlamyBold managers might seek a captain among Tottenham’s ranks.Spurs are languishing 14th in the table after their defeat in the North London derby but the Dream Team Stats Centre paints a brighter picture with several of Ange Postecoglou’s favourites among the top performers.With a double header against Everton and Hoffenheim (16th in the Bundesliga) in the diary, Dominic Solanke (£4.6m), Son-Heung-min (£4.8m) and Dejan Kulusevski (£4.3m) are all viable options for skipper, if a tad leftfield.Amad Diallo’s (£4.1m) hat-trick against Southampton has put him in the mix too.Manchester United’s saviour will surely start against both Brighton and Rangers.Hat-trick heroCredit: GettyIt’s important to note that popular captains Cole Palmer (£6.1m) and Alexander Isak (£6m) have just one fixture to fulfil in Gameweek 20.READ MORE SUN STORIESBoth are capable of massive double-digit hauls but it’s more logical to select a captain among the top stars set to pull double duty.Make sure to confirm your captain (and vice captain) for Gameweek 20 before Saturday’s 11am deadline.Score PredictorPlay Score Predictor with Dream Team this season!FREE to play£250 weekly prizePredict scores of five selected Premier League fixtures and earn points for accuracyMost points wins weekly cash prizePLAY NOW More

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      Highest-paid Premier League players revealed as Erling Haaland signs Man City deal worth £26MILLION per year

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      ERLING HAALAND’S mind-boggling new £500,000-per-week deal has made the Norwegian the highest-paid Premier League player EVER.Manchester City have announced that the goal-scoring machine has signed a 10-year-contract worth £26million per season.Erling Haaland has penned a ten-year contractCredit: RexHe has been tied down to the club until 2034The 24-year-old’s record breaking deal, which runs until 2034, has knocked City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne off his perch as the Prem’s top earner.It puts the total value close to £250million and overtakes Chelsea’s nine-year-deal for Cole Palmer to become the longest contract in Prem history.Haaland, who was previously contracted until 2027, has proved a phenomenon at City, scoring 111 goals in only 126 games since signing from Borussia Dortmund for £50million in summer 2022.And now SunSport has taken a look at the revised 10 biggest earners after twice Golden Boot winner Haaland’s mammoth new deal.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS10) Kai Havertz – £280k-per-weekArsenal forked out an initial £60million and an additional £5million in potential add-ons to sign Havertz from Chelsea in the summer of 2023.He usurped Gabriel Jesus as the highest-paid player at the Emirates and his contract also includes an additional £50,000-per-week in potential bonuses.The Germany international silenced his critics in his debut season, but has faced horrific abuse from Arsenal fans for his poor finishing as Mikel Arteta’s men were dumped out of the FA Cup by Man Utd last Sunday.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKai Havertz is the highest-paid full-time Arsenal playerCredit: Getty=7) Jack Grealish – £300k-per-weekJack Grealish, 29, penned a £300,000-per-week contract when he joined City in 2021 in a deal from Aston Villa worth £100million.Most read in FootballHe is the third highest-paid man in Pep Guardiola’s squad, but 15 goal contributions in 145 games is under-par for what many expected.Jack Grealish is the joint-third highest-paid Manchester City playerTop ten greatest Premier League players of all time as Kevin de Bruyne and Cristiano Ronaldo both miss out on top spot=7) Bruno Fernandes – £300k-per-weekBefore Amad Diallo’s recent heroics, club-captain Fernandes was one of the only Man Utd players worth their salt.The midfielder has been Old Trafford’s standout performer in recent years, winning the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Season award in 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2023/24.The Portugal international is now earning a base salary of £300,000-per-week, which equates to around £15.6million-per-year. He can also get another £75,000-per-week in bonuses.Bruno Fernandes recently signed a new deal at Old TraffordCredit: Getty=7) Bernardo Silva – £300k-per-weekYou’ll notice City account for a sizeable portion of this list. Silva was offered a £500,000-a-week contract by Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in 2023, but he rejected that lucrative offer and signed a contract extension with City.The Portuguese winger was previously linked with a move away, as his current City contract ends next summer.Bernardo Silva’s current City deal expires next summerCredit: Getty=5) Marcus Rashford – £325k-per-weekMarcus Rashford earns £25,000 more per week than club captain Fernandes, placing him second on Man Utd’s books.But the England international, 27, has been iced out of Ruben Amorim’s squad and is linked with several January moves.The wantaway star has fallen out with yet another United manager and told Henry Winter: “I’m ready for a new challenge.”Marcus Rashford is another player earning in excess of £300,000 per week=5) Raheem Sterling – £325k-per-weekRaheem Sterling’s eye-watering wages are currently split between Chelsea and his season-long loan club Arsenal.Reports suggest that both London clubs pay the former Man City winger, who has scored just one goal this term, around £162,500-per-week.If he’s forced back to Stamford Bridge in the summer, he’ll replace Reece James as Chelsea’s top earner.Raheem Sterling’s wages are split between Chelsea and loan club ArsenalCredit: Getty=3) Mohamed Salah – £350k-per-weekLiverpool legend Mo Salah is into the final year of the £350,000-per-week contract he signed in 2022.It remains to be seen whether the Egyptian, 32, who joined in 2017, will leave in the summer.Liverpool fans are desperate for Salah, who has 38 goal contributions in 29 appearances this season, to pen a new deal as Saudi Arabian clubs step up their pursuits.Mo Salah has the biggest wages of any player at AnfieldCredit: Getty=3) Casemiro – £350k-per-weekCasemiro, 32, impressed after joining United for £70m from Real Madrid, but soon endured a torrid 2023/24 campaign as he received huge criticism.But the five-time Champions League winner has been reduced to just 21 appearances this season – and mostly from the bench. Casemiro is the best-paid Manchester United playerCredit: Getty2) Kevin De Bruyne – £400k-per-weekDe Bruyne’s title as highest-paid Premier League player could was stripped away after Haaland’s new deal this week.The Man City man, 33, will go down as one of the all-time greats in English football if he leaves at the end of his contract in the summer after 10 incredible years at the Etihad.Kevin De Bruyne is now the second highest earner at City and in the PremCredit: Getty1) Erling Haaland – £500k-per-weekNo Prem player has ever earned more than HALF-A-MILLION QUID in weekly wages before Haaland.After signing his record-breaking deal, Haaland said: “I am super happy. I am proud. It is difficult to put into words because it is a big moment. I am happy and that is the right word to use.READ MORE SUN STORIES“In the end, speaking with the people I spoke with, the hunger and the support that I have been getting for the last couple of years from the board, from the bosses and from Pep, it was an easy decision. I am delighted.”The Norwegian superstar, who has the most goals for his country at the age of 24, will earn £71,000-PER-DAY. More

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      Incredible throwback video of new MOTD host Mark Chapman presenting one of his first live football TV shows emerges

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      AN amazing throwback clip has emerged of Mark Chapman presenting Football Italiano on Channel 5.Chapman, 51, was confirmed as one of three new Match of the Day hosts earlier this week.A clean-shaven Mark Chapman presented Football Italiano alongside Laura EspostoCredit: Channel 5Chapman, 51, is one of three new Match of the Day hostsCredit: PAThe experienced presenter will share the gig with Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan, starting next season.Chapman is widely known to many fans for his work presenting Match of the Day 2 since 2013.But he has performed a variety of different roles during his impressive career.He began as a continuity announcer on the BBC during the 1990s, before taking on a gig as Radio Newcastle’s cricket correspondent.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLChapman subsequently became a fans’ favourite on Radio 1, working as Newsbeat’s sports news reader on Sara Cox and Scott Mills’ shows.During the 2007-08 season, he took on a TV presenting gig, working on Channel 5’s Football Italiano.A descendent of the iconic Football Italia, which had previously aired on Channel 4, the show broadcast a live Serie A game on Sunday afternoons, as well as a highlights programme.Chapman presented the show alongside Italian Laura Esposto.Most read in FootballSUN BINGO GET £50 BONUS & 50 FREE SPINS TODAYIn a brilliant throwback clip, a suited-up Chapman can be seen introducing coverage of the final day of that season alongside his co-host.Chapman appeared fresh-faced and clean shaven on the show, with fans having since become accustomed to him with stubble on Match of the Day 2.Mark Chapman opens Match of the Day with cheeky one-liner as he is confirmed as one of Gary Lineker’s three successors Channel 5 did not retain the rights to Serie A for the following season, with Football Italiano finishing after just one year.In 2010, Chapman landed his popular Monday night show on BBC Radio 5 Live.And six years later he replaced Mark Pougatch as the station’s lead anchor on a Saturday afternoon.Versatile Chapman has also fronted the BBC’s TV coverage of rugby league and the NFL.CHEEKY ONE-LINEREarlier this week, the popular host stood in for Gary Lineker for a mid-week edition of Match of the Day.Just hours after he’d been confirmed as one of three new permanent hosts for next season, he quipped: “Evening. Thought I’d get the practise in.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAfter being introduced, pundit Alan Shearer joked: “You haven’t wasted any time, have you?”And a grinning Micah Richards added: “The ink’s not even dry Alan!”Chapman introduced MOTD with a cheeky one-linerCredit: BBC More

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      Erling Haaland’s potential transfer fee soars to £500MILLION after blockbuster contract that also protects Man City

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      IT was a January present even the most fervent Manchester City fan had not really anticipated.And no wonder that the news of Erling Haaland’s astonishing new Etihad deal brought a swathe of swift conclusions about what it means for the Norwegian and the club.Erling Haaland has given Manchester City fans a much-needed boost by signing a bumper new dealCredit: APThe Norwegian has inked a staggering new TEN-YEAR deal at the EtihadCredit: AFPSome City fans may believe Haaland’s recommittal is a sign of the club’s confidence they’ll beat the FFP case against themCredit: APHaaland’s renewal has seen his transfer value soar to a whopping £500millionCredit: MANCHESTER CITYFor the past few weeks, it has been all about the players City were looking to sign in the January window, with a triple swoop for Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush, Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov and Palmeiras teenager Vitor Reis in the pipeline.Yet getting Haaland to effectively commit the rest of his career to City was more than just a coup – it was a huge morale boost for everybody connected to the club.Rightly so. Haaland’s record of 112 goals in just 126 games for the club is beyond incredible.In the Prem, it is 79 in 87 appearances, at a rate of 0.91 goals per game.READ MORE ON HAALANDTo put that into even greater context, Alan Shearer scored his record 260 Prem goals in 441 games for Blackburn and Newcastle.If Haaland continued to score at his current rate, he would break the record after 237 games – before the end of 2029 if he stays fit.And that would not even be HALF-WAY through the new TEN-YEAR, £260m deal.No wonder many City fans are already pointing to Haaland’s signature, following on from Pep Guardiola’s renewal, and drawing an obvious conclusion:Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThey wouldn’t be doing this unless City were absolutely certain the Premier League case into the “115” allegations of financial impropriety (the actual number of charges is now 130) was about to collapse into tiny pieces.It is not a ridiculous assumption to make, either. At least, not from the outside.Erling Haaland’s salary is only ninth biggest in football with Chelsea flop Koulibaly earning more than Man City starCity have, remember, always vehemently denied they did anything wrong. And unleashed the legal forces of Hell – well, £10,000 an hour Lord Pannick KC and his team – to defend their reputation.But nobody, except the lawyers involved and the panel of three empowered to hear the evidence given on both sides over the best part of three months before Christmas, REALLY knows what was said in the central London International Dispute Resolution Centre.What we do know is that if the Prem legal beaks fail to prove their case “on the balance of probabilities”, City will have won a huge and seismic victory.The authority of the League will have been fractured into tiny pieces.Yet at this stage, the commission appears to still be considering its verdict.And before Christmas, there were mutterings that City might be ready to argue that, in the event of a verdict they did not accept, the club would contest the ENTIRE fabric of the Prem financial rules.But even if the verdict goes AGAINST City, the new deal is a major defensive move for their most potent attacking force.It is hard, if not inconceivable, to imagine Haaland staying at City if they are actually relegated to the Championship – which would be a MINIMUM demand of rival clubs if the bulk of the charges are proven. Let alone if it was a Rangers-style three division relegation.Pep Guardiola penned a new deal with Manchester City last NovemberCredit: MANCHESTER CITYBut the Spaniard and his troops are very much in danger of being relegated if the bulk of the 115 charges against the are provenCredit: AFPOf course, if it was just one season in the Championship – and there is nothing to suggest that is in consideration until the verdict is known – the easiest way out would be to loan Haaland to another club in the City Football Group for a campaign. Girona, possibly, or an MLS year in the Big Apple.But if Haaland did kick off, City have guaranteed themselves a huge financial buffer.Tying Haaland to such a long deal – one that would not be permissible under Fifa regulations in some countries, where employment law states contracts cannot last longer than five years – is a statement, unquestionably.If another club wants to tempt him away – and Real Madrid and Barcelona are the two most obvious potential suitors, probably followed by PSG or the PIF-owned clubs of the Saudi Pro League – they will have to buy out the contract AND pay a massive fee.That would see a potential £500m transfer demand, a sum few could possibly meet.At the same time, it is also ringfencing City against the possible outcome of the European Court of Justice ruling over former Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder Lassana Diarra.The international players’ union FifPro is among those arguing the end-game will be stars having “free agency” to move clubs, with no transfer fees and only the remaining contract terms needing to be bought out as a compensation move.READ MORE SUN STORIESOf course, none of that will even be an issue if City’s long-held stance is vindicated.And the thought of almost another decade of Haaland marauding up and down the Prem will chill the blood of an entire generation of defenders. 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