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      Chelsea ‘take lead in race for £50m-rated Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen and want him to play in Club World Cup’

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      CHELSEA are reportedly leading the race to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.The 20-year-old joined the Cherries from Juventus last summer but has already attracted interest from some of Europe’s top clubs.Chelsea are leading the race to sign Dean Huijsen from BournemouthCredit: GettyReal Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool are understood to be among the clubs monitoring the centre-back.But the Independent has claimed that Chelsea are frontrunners in the transfer race.Huijsen is now seriously considering a move to Stamford Bridge ahead of the summer window.The Blues are willing to offer him a package that could make up a seven-year deal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut in order to sign him they will likely have to match his £50million release clause.Earlier this month, Huijsen said he is determined to play at the highest level.He also revealed that his friend told him to join Real Madrid.The defender explained: “One of my close friends sent me a story about Real. He told me to go to Madrid.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I don’t know, we’ll see. It’s a big team. Every player wants to play at the maximum level possible.”I have a contract until 2030, I do have a clause.”How Enzo Maresca can transform Chelsea to challenge for Premier League titleRegardless of which team will sign him, Bournemouth are set to make a huge profit on Huijsen.The Cherries signed him for just £15million from Juventus in July. More

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      Inside Prem side’s sister club where fan attacked player with CORNER FLAG with Solskjaer a victim of amazing rise

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      FROM a fan hitting an opposition goalkeeper with a corner flag to beating Istanbul giants Besiktas – Southampton’s sister club in Turkey have come a long way.It will be no consolation to fans of the managerless, already-relegated Saints, but owners Sport Republic have overseen an impressive return to the top flight for their Turkish outfit, Goztepe.A Goztepe fan whacked a rival goalkeeper with a corner flag in a fit of rage in 2022Credit: Twitter / @cicibilgiliGoztepe fans are renowned for being some of the most passionate in the worldCredit: GettyAnd Southampton loanees Juan, a striker from Brazil, and Kuryu Matsuki, a Japan Under-23 midfielder, have been part of Goztepe’s success this season.Both played in this month’s 3-1 win at Besiktas – now managed by former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – which earned Goztepe a place in the semi finals of the Turkish Cup for the first time in nearly half a century.The game brought back memories of their 1960s and early 1970s heyday when the leading club in Turkey’s third biggest city, Izmir, regularly gave the big boys from Istanbul a bloody nose.And the Goztepe fans’ passion is making it a thrilling ride.READ MORE SPORT STORIESRasmus Ankersen, Sport Republic co-founder and Goztepe chairman, said: “The intensity is something you just don’t see in modern football.“The fanbase is very emotional and very aggressive.“The volatility of it – It’s like playing with rocket fuel.“When everything goes in the same direction, as it has for big parts of this year, it’s unbelievable.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“But when it’s not, the pressure the fans can put on their own players from the stands is huge.”Sport Republic bought 70 per cent of Goztepe from oil tycoon Mehmet Sepil in August 2022, seven months after their takeover at Southampton.Inside Prem side’s sister club where fan attacked player with CORNER FLAG and ultras boot off over pre-season resultsThe London-based firm, co-founded by former Saints chairman Henrik Kraft and backed by Serbian billionaire Dragan Solak, became the first foreign investors ever to take control of a Turkish club.Goztepe, who sank as low as the fifth tier in the 2000’s, had just been relegated after a five-year stay in the Super Lig.Things did not start well for the new regime.Manager Ahmet Balci was sacked after a handful of games. Successor Ekrem Dag oversaw an upturn in results but in late November 2022 came the day of shame that went viral on social media.Goztepe’s home clash against Izmir rivals Altay had already been halted in the first half so that ambulance crews could attend to fans injured during clashes in the stands.But then a Goztepe fan invaded the pitch, plucked out one of the corner flags and started thrashing Altay goalkeeper Ozan Evrim Ozenc with it.Players and stewards restrained the attacker and the game was abandoned.Goztepe have risen from the fifth tier in 2008 to pushing for a Champions League spotCredit: GettySouthampton have endured an historically poor Premier League season while sister club Goztepe have been thrivingCredit: GettyGoztepe recovered from the embarrassment to finish sixth and reach the promotion play-offs.But they fell at the first hurdle and Dag left the club in the summer, with Radomir Kokovic promoted from within to take charge.The Serb lasted less than four months and Sport Republic turned to Stanimir Stoilov in November 2023.Former Bulgaria international Stoilov had an impressive coaching pedigree, especially for someone managing a second-tier side in Turkey.He had enjoyed historic success in the first of two spells at Levski Sofia that came at either end of a long career that included taking charge of the Bulgaria and Kazakhstan national teams.After Stoilov’s arrival, Goztepe lost only two more league games for the rest of the season and their second-place finish earned them a return to the top flight.TURNING OF THE TIDEBefore the home games at the 20,000-capacity Gursel Aksel that were crucial to promotion, Turkish pop star Levent Yuksel led the crowd in spine-tingling renditions of his famous song Med Cezir (“Tide”).It has become Goztepe’s version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, a love song about loyalty to a partner repurposed to express devotion to a football team.The supporters sing about the highs and lows and after admitting “There’s no way to give up on these tides”, they raise the volume.“My storm, my disaster, my longing,” they yell, “it’s not enough – making love is not enough, how pretty your violence is, oh how sweet your kindness, I want to love you more and more, I’ll follow you until I die and never let you go”.But it’s not just the Altay goalkeeper who has tasted the other side of Goztepe fans’ passion.The joy of promotion was quickly forgotten after a minor setback last summer.Ankersen said: “We lost our first friendly game to Charlton during our training camp in Slovenia.“There were big protests against us for not doing more transfers… I had to do a press conference to calm everyone down.”There was more unrest when Goztepe had to play their first home game back in the top flight on a neutral ground because their own pitch was not in good enough condition.Ankersen said: “We did not have a CEO at the time so the Chief Financial Officer was the leading executive.We lost our first friendly game to CharltonRasmus Ankersen“Our fans still travelled in huge numbers and there were 10,000 people all jumping up and down, calling for him to leave the club.”But confidence was pretty high that Goztepe would make a good fist of the Super Lig, with a top-10 finish as the target.The gap between the top two tiers in Turkey in terms of quality and financial might is not nearly as big as in England and other countries.”A REVELATION”Sport Republic and Stoilov have built the second youngest squad in the league and made them play with a kind of English-style intensity and physicality that is unusual in Turkish football.They have also focused on set-pieces and become one of the most potent teams in the world from dead-ball situations.In Goztepe’s second game back in the Super Lig, an equaliser in the 95th minute by on-loan Brazilian striker Romulo earned a morale-boosting 2-2 draw from 2-0 down at home to Fenerbahce, managed by Jose Mourinho.Then in late November, Stoilov’s side won 4-2 at Besiktas and a good spell took them as high as fourth in the table.Observers feel Goztepe have been unlucky in the current run of 11 league games without a win which has ended their bid for a top-four place.But there was nothing fortunate about their 3-1 win at Besiktas.Solskjaer’s side, which included former Arsenal, Liverpool and England star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, took a first-half lead.Before a recent lull, Goztepe had been as high as fourth in the Super LigCredit: GettyBut the game turned on a professional foul on Goztepe’s Juan by Besiktas centre back Tayyip Sanuc, which earned him a red card in the 36th minute.Romulo – described as “a revelation” by Ankersen – scored direct from the resulting free kick,With less than 15 minutes to go, ex-West Ham full back Arthur Masuaku handled the ball in the penalty area and Romulo converted the penalty.Soon afterwards Romulo, on loan from Athletico Paranaense, completed his hat-trick with a deft lob.On Thursday, Goztepe will travel to Trabzonspor for the semi final as they aim to win the Cup for the first time since back-to-back successes in 1969 and 1970.If the club went on to win the trophy, they would have the chance to relive another exploit of their glorious past.In 1968-69, Goztepe became the first Turkish club to reach the  last four of a European competition when they went all the way to the semi finals of the Fairs Cup, the forerunner of the Uefa Cup that was in turn rebranded as the Europa League.A cup triumph would earn them a place in the play-off for Uefa’s second-tier tournament.Southampton fans, whose FA Cup win of 1976 put them on the map, will hope that Sport Republic can bring the good times back to St Mary’s, too.Read More on The SunAnd that the Saints avoid the fate of Sport Republic’s other club, French side Valenciennes, who are currently in the third tier after relegation last season.As Goztepe’s anthem says, fans have no choice but to ride the waves of football’s ebb and flow. 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      Reading release major statement after agreement reached with EFL as crisis club face going bust if they aren’t sold

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      CRISIS club Reading have been granted a takeover extension by the EFL. Royals’ Chinese owner Dai Yongge had initially been given a deadline of April 22 to sell the Berkshire outfit.Reading have been given more time by the EFL to get their takeover completedCredit: GettyRoyals fans have constantly protested against owner Dai YonggeCredit: Reading FCDai was disqualified under the league’s owners’ and directors’ test in February owing to debts and court rulings in China.  The League One side – who are mounting an unexpected play-off push – have been up for sale for almost 600 days.And a statement released on Wednesday confirms the EFL has granted the Royals an extension.It read: “Reading Football Club can confirm further progress has been made towards the sale of the club, with the transaction including the Select Car Leasing Stadium and Bearwood Park Training Facility. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”As a result, The EFL has agreed for a further extension until May 5th for the transaction to be completed.”The statement adds that the identity of the buyer will remain confidential at this stage. But the unnamed investor will be footing the bill for “day-to-day running of the club” until the takeover is signed off. It continued: “Both parties will now work to complete the necessary steps to complete the takeover.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe buying party will be supporting the club’s immediate financial obligations until the transaction is complete, and as such, day-to-day running of the club will be unaffected.”The club would like to thank all supporters, staff, and players for their contribution to the club in recent times. Birmingham become first EFL club to win promotion as Tom Brady’s club bounce back to Championship at first attempt”The performance at First Team and Academy level has been outstanding and all attention is on supporting the teams to finish the season strongly.”Further communication regarding next steps will be issued once appropriate.”Reading currently sit seventh in the third tier, one place below the final play-off spot.They are level on points with Leyton Orient, with just two games to play.Reading face Bristol Rovers and Barnsley in their final matches of the season.Should they gain promotion to the Championship, it would be the Royals’ first season at that level since 2023.Dai bought a 75 per cent stake in Reading in 2017, shortly after Jaap Stam’s side lost the Championship playoff final to Huddersfield.During his ownership, the Royals have been slapped with several points deductions, while in 2023 they were relegated to League One.Read More on The SunAmid fan protests, Dai put the club up for sale later that year.Earlier this month, SunSport revealed former Wycombe owner Rob Couhig had mounted a £25million takeover for the Berkshire club. More

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      Why Arsenal can easily outspend Man Utd and Chelsea in summer transfer window with old rivals now worlds apart

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      THEY were once the Premier League’s “Big Three” – on the pitch and off it.Yet while Arsenal’s season could still end with Champions League glory in Munich next month, and they are set to reap the financial rewards this summer and beyond, it could be a potentially very different scenario at both Chelsea and Manchester United.Mikel Arteta could be set for a summer spending spreeCredit: GettyRuben Amorim could have a small budget at Manchester UnitedCredit: PAEnzo Maresca’s budget could be shrunk without Champions League footballCredit: RexA summer of sales first, cut-price arrivals later – merely to help balance the financial scales.The contrast between the three clubs could not be wider on the pitch – or among the fans.If there were any Arsenal supporters still questioning Mikel Arteta over a third successive second-place Prem finish, so near to the summit but unable to get there, they were surely ended in Madrid last week.That CL quarter-final second leg win over Real in the Bernabeu, setting up next week’s semi-final first leg clash with Paris Saint-Germain and putting Arsenal 270 minutes away from conquering Europe’s highest peak, was a financial victory, too.Last season, Arsenal delivered record earnings of £616million, with “football revenues” up almost £150m on the previous year.Much of that was down to the club’s return to the Champions League in 2023-24, a run that was ended by Harry Kane’s Bayern, bringing total income from TV-related prize money to £262.3m.In addition, the extra European matches meant more home games, with Arsenal earning £131.7m through the gate, while commercial performance from the club’s growing list of sponsors and partners rose to a record £218.3m.Those income streams have a direct impact on the club’s books and their ability to comply with both the Prem’s PSR and Uefa’s sustainability rules.JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd this season, already, it is clear that those revenue streams have gone in the right direction.Arsenal have already banked £98.7m from their Champions League run, a sum that could rise by a further £21.5m if they go on to lift the trophy in the Allianz Arena.Mikel Arteta accidentally photobombs Sky Sports report as he takes Arsenal dog Win for a walkBenjamin Sesko is one of Arsenal’s top striker targetsCredit: GettyViktor Gyokeres has excelled in Portugal and the Champions League this seasonCredit: GettyThey will again earn in the region of £175m from the Prem’s various broadcasting deals both domestically and overseas but are already guaranteed almost £25m more from their European exploits than last term.But the run to the semi-finals means an extra two European home games than in 2023-24, while they have also had three home Carabao Cup games, compared to none last term.Even with reduced gate prices on two of those League Cup matches, it is likely to see turnstile income closing in on £150m.And the on-field success means all the existing commercial deals will be paid in full, while Arsenal also unveiled a “multi-year” arrangement with Japanese tech company NTT Data, understood to be worth £4m per season.It all adds up to likely revenues in excess of £650m for the season as well as a guarantee, without kicking a ball, of £50.3m from the Champions League next term.That means additional funds set to be available for Arteta to use for his recruitment drive, with a top-class centre-forward, expected to be either Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres or Benjamin Sesko of Leipzig, the priority – but a deal that Arsenal can easily afford.Yet things are looking very different for both Chelsea and United – with the pressure on both Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim to plot their very different routes into the Champions League being absolutely immense.Harry Maguire’s last-gasp goal against Lyon, completing one of the all-time Old Trafford comebacks, will become the stuff of legend if United go on to beat Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final and then triumph against Tottenham or Bodo/Glimt back in the Basque city next month.But United’s new owners Ineos, determined to try and make the numbers add up, are likely to be more concerned with the financial bottom line if a season to forget ends with a Europa League win to remember.That bottom line will run to nine figures, as well.United have banked around £21.6m from their run to the semis, with a further £11.2m on offer plus the chance to play in August’s Uefa Super Cup, worth a minimum of £3.1m.Qualifying for next season’s Champions League will be worth £49m up front – by virtue of the TNT and Prime Video Uefa deals and United’s high position in the five and ten-year coefficient tables – plus giving four home games – worth another £20m through the gate.Failing to qualify for Europe at all means none of that money will be available, while United will also see £10m deducted from their payments from kit suppliers Adidas as part of a penalty clause in the agreement.And with a bottom-half Prem finish seemingly nailed on, United’s earnings from the league are likely to drop to £135m from £156m last term.Putting those numbers together and the need for Champions League football for a club that has already launched a major cost-cutting drive is crystal clear.SPEND OF AN ERAARSENAL, Chelsea and Manchester United’s transfer spending over the past three years…ARSENAL2022-23 £168m2023-24 £204.5m2024-25 £97.3mTOTAL £469.8mCHELSEA2022-23 £544.9m2023-24 £409.7m2024-25 £220.75mTOTAL £1.175.35bnMAN UTD2022-23 £206.7m2023-24 £167.1m2024-25 £203mTOTAL £576.8mWithout that ticket back to the elite, Amorim’s summer options will be even more limited, heightening the need to sell players – including some he would prefer to keep.Likewise at Chelsea, where Maresca’s popularity with the fans seems to be in freefall – despite Sunday’s dramatic late 2-1 win at Fulham.Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 win at Tottenham on Monday means Chelsea go into the last five matches of the season in sixth place.Their fixtures are tough, too – although it does leave things in their own hands.After Saturday’s home game with Everton, the Blues host Liverpool, travel to Newcastle, welcome United to the Bridge and then go to Forest on the last day of the season.The Conference League semi-final against Swedes Djurgarden offers the prospect of silverware but the prize is not that great as there is a huge chasm between the rewards of the Europa League and the main competition – upwards of £70m.As with United, Chelsea’s Uefa coefficient means they would be in line for a massive pay-day – of £48.8m – just for qualifying, although gate receipts at Stamford Bridge are significantly less with the capacity of just 44,000.Missing out, though, would hurt, even though Chelsea will earn £30m up front – and a potential further £67m for going all the way – from this summer’s Club World Cup exertions, likely to have a detrimental impact on their performances at the start of next term.The club has managed to avoid PSR issues as far as the Prem is concerned by the internal sales of two hotels at Stamford Bridge and the all-conquering women’s team – although the account book value of £200m for Sonia Bompastor’s side is unlikely to be agreed in full.But Uefa have refused to accept either deal, meaning fines are looming for both last term and this season – which will again knock a hole in the financial slate.And the astonishing £1bn-plus spending since the Todd Boehly-led takeover in 2025 means Chelsea have huge annual “amortisation” costs – money owed on transfer fees – of more than £300m plus a massive wage bill to factor into the balance sheet.Without Champions League football, and with few remaining non-football assets available to sell, a reckoning is likely, pretty soon.And that would make the Arsenal smiles even wider.Todd Boehly has spent a fortune since arriving at ChelseaCredit: ReutersThe Blues are the favourites to win the Conference LeagueCredit: AlamyJoin SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth 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      Leeds considering replacing manager Daniel Farke mere HOURS after promotion to Premier League confirmed

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      DANIEL FARKE is battling to save his job despite leading Leeds back to the Premier League.The German, who guided Norwich to top-flight promotions in 2019 and 2021, has now clinched a hat-trick of successes.Leeds could sack promotion-winning manager Daniel FarkeCredit: GettyBut Farke is now having to convince the club’s US-based owners 49s Enterprises he is the right man to lead the club next season.The Leeds hierarchy have yet to make a final decision – or draw up a shortlist – and they would face major criticism over firing a successful boss.Yet Farke has been unpopular with a section of fans at Elland Road this season over his playing style, his substitutes and until recently, an insistence on sticking with keeper Illan Meslier.Farke took over at Leeds after their 2023 relegation and led them to the play-offs last year, although they lost in the final to Southampton.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLeeds’ owners are also concerned about Farke’s record in the Premier League, where he has a win rate of just 12%.Norwich finished bottom in 2020 and after bouncing back to the top-flight at the first attempt, he was sacked in November 2021 after the team managed just five points from 11 games.That has led to other candidates being looked at, although Leeds are yet to make a final decision.BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThose at the club are aware it would be a bold decision to sack Farke given his success – particularly as they could receive backlash from fans.Most read in EFLSupporters sang Farke’s name as they celebrated promotion outside Elland Road on Monday, with the 48-year-old soaking up the applause and adoration.Leeds manager Daniel Farke reveals the Sir Alex Ferguson trick he cannot copy Leeds could hit 100 points this season if they win their final two matches – they currently have 94.If Farke is axed Leeds could try and lure Carlos Corberan back to the club – the Spaniard was assistant under Marcelo Bielsa and has had success in England with Huddersfield and West Brom.Steven Gerrard and Patrick Vieira have also been linked, as has Jose Mourinho.FARKE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUETHE German’s record in the top-flight with Norwich was not goodGames – 49Wins – 6Draws – 8Defeats – 35Goals for – 31Goals against – 101Win % – 12 More

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      Shot-happy Alejandro Garnacho an option for Dream Team bosses in need of bold strategy

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      TIME is running out for Dream Team managers who need to make moves if they are to achieve Mini League glory.The upcoming European semi-finals offer additional point-scoring opportunities and gaffers preparing a bold strategy for the next two Gameweeks should consider Alejandro Garnacho (£3.3m) when mulling over potential difference-makers.Capable of the sublime and the ridiculousCredit: Dream TeamStill in the infancy of his professional career, the Manchester United winger is far from the finished article.However, while he can be a source of frustration at times, it’s simply a fact he’s among the top ten midfielders in Dream Team right now.Garnacho, equally capable of the sublime and the ridiculous, has amassed 247 points via nine goals and 12 assists.This total puts him above the likes of Eberechi Eze (£4.8m), Brennan Johnson (£3.1m), Phil Foden (£5.3m), Justin Kluivert (£4m) and Anthony Gordon (£4.5m) in the rankings.Garnacho boasts 21 goal involvements in Dream Team this seasonCredit: AFPThe Red Devils are one of just three teams set to fulfil four fixtures across Gameweeks 33 and 34.This coming Gameweek, they will travel to Bournemouth (Premier League) and Athletic Bilbao (Europa League).After that, they will face Brentford in London before hosting the La Liga stalwarts in the second leg of their European semi-final.The majority of Dream Team bosses will be sceptical of Man United’s prospects for the remainder of the campaign given how 2024/25 has gone to date.Most read in Dream TeamRuben Amorim’s side are currently 14th in the table, just two points ahead of West Ham in 17th.It’s understandable if gaffers are hesitant to rely on a team that have underwhelmed to such a degree but Garnacho might be able to produce healthy returns even if everything else crashes and burns around him.Amorim has problems to solve but his side remain active in the Europa LeagueCredit: PAIt looked for all the world that Amorim’s troops would be eliminated from Europe by Lyon in the quarter-finals before they mustered a spirited comeback of immense drama.Garnacho notched a double-digit haul across both legs against the Ligue 1 outfit.The most notable statistic regarding the Argentina international is his overall tally of 49 shots on target in 2024/25, a total only bettered by Erling Haaland (£7.8m) and Mohamed Salah (£7.2m).MOST SHOTS ON TARGET AMONG DREAM TEAM PLAYERS THIS SEASON (ALL COMPS):83 – Erling Haaland73 – Mohamed Salah49 – Alejandro Garnacho49 – Alexander Isak49 – Cole Palmer47 – Ollie Watkins44 – Matheus Cunha44 – Bruno Fernandes42 – Antoine Semenyo39 – Bryan MbeumoCritics would say Garnacho should have converted more of his shots into goals this campaign – a fair comment – but the level of threat he offers is encouraging.Shot-happy players make for very useful Dream Team assets.Dream Team’s top midfielderCredit: ReutersIt goes without saying that Bruno Fernandes (£7m) should be the first port of call for managers aiming to target Man United’s fixtures in the next two Gameweeks.The Portuguese playmaker is comfortably the leading midfielder in the game with 384 points to his name.Read More on The SunHowever, given Fernandes is the third-most popular player in his position, his returns may not shape Mini Leagues.Combining him and Garnacho in midfield offers a potential point of difference if Man United are able to score a few goals in the next fortnight.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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      Marcus Rashford not ruling out shock Man Utd return with Aston Villa star to assess all transfer options

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      MARCUS RASHFORD is yet to make a decision about his future – with a return to Manchester United still on the cards.The 27-year-old fell out of favour with United boss Ruben Amorim earlier this season.Marcus Rashford is not ruling out any options regarding his futureCredit: RexAfter being exiled from the Red Devils first-team squad in December, he was loaned out to Aston Villa the following month.Rashford has since made 17 appearances for Unai Emery’s side, scoring four goals and making six.Villa have the option to buy the Man Utd loanee for around £40million at the end of the campaign – but it is currently unclear whether or not they will trigger it.Meanwhile, according to Sky Sports, Rashford is not ruling out any options regarding his future.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe possibility of returning to Old Trafford remains on the table.It has been reported that Rashford believes he could still have a future at United.The England forward will make a concrete decision about his future at the end of the season.He is also receiving interest from other clubs in England and across Europe.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordThe Independent has reported that Rashford wants to join a Champions League side.However, he is against a move to London, which rules out Arsenal and potentially Chelsea.Marcus Rashford sells Lamborghini supercar for £450,000 and buys incredibly rare £177,000 Audi Barcelona have held an interest in the forward since January and could swoop in with an offer.Paris Saint-Germain are also understood to be monitoring the situation.Should Rashford not return to Old Trafford, United have lined up potential replacements.SunSport revealed earlier this month that the Red Devils are willing to go all out for Eberechi Eze this summer.Crystal Palace could demand around £50m for the 26-year-old.Reports have also suggested that United are closing in on a deal for Matheus Cunha from Wolves.The 25-year-old has a £62.5m release clause but the Red Devils are yet to trigger it.Man Utd are willing to go all out for Eberechi EzeCredit: ReutersMatheus Cunha is also a target for the Red DevilsCredit: Getty More

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      Burnley complete FOUR transfers just hours after winning promotion to the Premier League

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      BURNLEY have four players already through the door after confirming promotion back to the Premier League.The Clarets beat Sheffield United 2-1 on Monday to secure an instant return to the top flight.Marcus Edwards (right) is joining Burnley permanently after their promotionCredit: RexEx-Spurs star Edwards is one of four players joining after impressing on loanCredit: Getty Images – GettyScott Parker’s men are already hard at work preparing for the 2025-26 campaign. And all four players will be familiar faces to Burnley fans after turning out for them this season on loan. Marcus Edwards, Jaidon Anthony, Bashir Humphreys and Zian Flemming will all sign permanently after successful loan spells in the North West. Edwards has starred for the club since joining from Sporting Lisbon in January.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe joined with an obligation to sign permanently for £8.5million – provided the Clarets won promotion.Tottenham will benefit thanks to a 35 per cent sell-on clause they have on Edwards, who came through their academy.Edwards, who was once compared to Lionel Messi by Mauricio Pochettino, left Tottenham on a free transfer for Vitoria Guimaraes in 2019 – but with a 50 per cent sell-on included.That clause was then passed on to Sporting when Edwards joined the Lisbon giants for Vitoria in 2022.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKThe figure was then reduced to 35 per cent as part of Pedro Porro’s £40m move from Sporting to Spurs the following year.Edwards has made 15 appearances for Burnley since being farmed out to the Lancashire side, scoring two goals.Burnley pitch invasion marred by unsavoury scenes as Sheffield United star Hamza Choudhury is held back by securityThe Clarets’ promotion also sees them commit to buying Anthony from Bournemouth. Anthony has spent the entire season on loan in the North West and will now join permanently for £8m.Parker’s side will also be bolstered by the permanent capture of both Humphreys and Flemming.In total, the Clarets are shelling out almost £40m for the quartet.Burnley’s success this season was built on the back of a stunning defensive effort.Parker’s side has conceded just 15 goals in 44 league games and will now battle it out with Leeds for the title. More