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      ‘I wake up every day with a smile’ – Antony swipes at Man Utd and admits it is ‘easier’ to play with new Betis team-mate

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      ANTONY aimed a dig at Manchester United as he spoke of his joy at playing for Real Betis.The winger joined the LaLiga side on loan last month and has hit the ground running.Antony is loving life at Real BetisCredit: RexAntony has scored three goals in his first four games, producing one assist, showing why United were so desperate to sign him for £85million in 2022.He has looked revitalised and puts it down to being happy, suggesting he feels more calm and at ease at Betis.Antony told AS: “I’ve had a great time in Manchester too, I won two titles and I’m very grateful. “But when I say that I’ve found myself here, I’m happy, the people are like us in Brazil. The sun helps a lot. READ MORE ON MAN UTD“I’m very happy here. I wake up every day with a smile and that’s very important.“I have a lot of friends who played here and they left me very calm so that I could sign here. I was sure in my heart that coming here was the best decision for me. I hope to continue like this.”Antony has adjusted quickly to his new team and he puts it down to the skill of his team-mates.He highlighted former Real Madrid star Isco as a big influence, as well as ex-Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHe added: “Isco is a great player, he has a lot of experience, he is a star and we all know it. He tells me that he is very happy for me.“Having him by my side is easier, you get along very well with him. With Lo Celso too. And with other team-mates, too.”Antony leaves Man Utd with more yellow cards than goals as £86m Ten Hag flop goes down as one of worst transfers ever More

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      ‘He’s really lost his head’ – Atalanta captain sent off for moment of madness after ’embarrassing’ blunder

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      ATALANTA captain Rafael Toloi saw red as the Serie A side crashed out of the Champions League.The Italians went into last night’s second leg trailing Belgians Club Brugge 2-1 from the first match.Rafael Toloi attempted to throw the ball at an opponentCredit: TNT SPORTSHe then bundled over the Club Brugge aceCredit: TNT SPORTSThings swiftly went from bad to worse for Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, as a disastrous first half saw them fall 3-0 down on the night.Ademola Lookman pulled one back for the Serie A side moments into the second half.But after the former Everton and Fulham man missed a penalty on the hour mark, Atalanta’s hope began to ebb away.In the 86th minute, Toloi’s frustration boiled over.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs the 34-year-old went to take a throw in, he was needlessly bumped by Maxim De Cuyper.The red mist then descended upon Toloi, who tried to throw the ball at his opponent.It slipped out of his hand, however, and he fell over.Feeling embarrassed, Toloi got up and begun to charge at De Cuyper, who had turned and was walking away.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe referee attempted to get in the Brazilian’s away but his efforts were futile, Toloi bundling over his opponent.He went on to be sent off for his head loss, while De Cuyper was yellow carded.AC Milan manager walks out of Champions League press conference after just one question After the game, veteran boss Gasperini was disappointed at his skipper.He said: “That was an ugly incident and we must never lose our heads.”Atalanta must leave the Champions League with dignity, having played great games against the likes of Real Madrid, Arsenal and Barcelona.”On the winger’s botched penalty, the 67-year-old added: “Lookman was not supposed to take that penalty, he is one of the worst penalty takers I’ve ever seen.”He has a frankly terrible record even in training, he converts very few of them.”Retegui and De Ketelaere were there, but Lookman in a moment of enthusiasm after scoring decided to take the ball and that was a gesture I did not appreciate at all.”Ademola Lookman botched his second half penaltyCredit: AFP More

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      Andoni Iraola lined up to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager after stunning Bournemouth success

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      ANDONI IRAOLA has reportedly been lined up to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager.The Bournemouth boss has made waves since moving to the south coast in 2023 from Rayo Vallecano.Real Madrid are lining up Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola as their next managerCredit: GettyReports claim Carlo Ancelotti could leave Real this summerCredit: GettyIraola has won 31 of his 72 games in charge of the Cherries.And this season has seen them reach new heights with 12 wins and just six defeats in 25 outings.As a result, Bournemouth now sit fifth in the table just one point off the top four while boasting a positive goal difference of 15.And according to the Mail, Iraola’s efforts have not gone unnoticed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt’s reckoned he has now made his way onto a shortlist being drawn up by Real Madrid chiefs of potential replacements for Los Blancos gaffer Ancelotti.The Italian, who won the Champions League during an earlier stint with Real, has led the Spaniards to two more European titles and two league titles since returning in 2021.Ancelotti is hoping for another double this term as Real sit joint-top of LaLiga with Barcelona, while also holding the advantage over Man City in tonight’s Champions League play-off.But reports in Spain suggest Ancelotti may retire this summer.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd while the Italian has remained coy on the subject, Real are now bracing themselves for the worst by drawing up a list of suitable candidates to potentially take over this summer.Former player and Bayer Leverkusen title winner Xabi Alonso is thought to be favourite, having rejected Liverpool last summer in the reported hope of eventually moving to Real.Ronaldo reveals cult hero Real Madrid team-mate was ‘very bad’ before turning to poker Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso is another option for RealCredit: GettyBut it’s reckoned that Iraola has now worked his way onto Real’s shortlist, having impressed club chiefs with his incredible job at Bournemouth.The gaffer will have just a year left to run on his contract this summer, putting him at risk of an approach from interested clubs.Tottenham are also thought to be keeping a watch on Iraola as they mull Ange Postecoglou’s future.But after turning Bournemouth into European hopefuls, Iraola may instead fancy staying put at the Vitality Stadium to keep his project moving forwards. More

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      Man Utd ‘AGREE deal with Geovany Quenda, 17, as Sporting demand £50m for wonderkid transfer’

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly agreed a deal with Geovany Quenda as Sporting Lisbon demand £50million for the wonderkid.Quenda, 17, is a versatile right sider who was given his big break at Sporting by United boss Ruben Amorim.Man Utd have agreed personal terms with Geovany QuendaCredit: GettyThe wing-back has scored twice in 37 outings this season.Quenda is rated as one of Europe’s top youngsters after joining Sporting’s academy from rivals Benfica in 2019.And United have been linked with making a swoop once he turns 18 in April.Reports in January claimed a deal was “assured” to take place this summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAmorim is looking to rebuild United’s squad to suit his 3-4-3 system and has already landed left-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce.Now, journalist Ben Jacobs claims the Red Devils have upped the ante in their hunt for Quenda.The talkSPORT commentator reckons United have struck personal terms with Quenda on a long-term contract.He told talkSPORT: “The player has agreed verbally personal terms. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS“He’s waiting to see if the club’s pre-agree (a fee) or wait until the summer.“And the price United are looking at is 40million euros (£33m).Gary Neville says he’s seen ‘nothing’ from Man Utd under Ruben Amorim “Sporting want a minimum of 60m euros (£50m). There’s a release clause at 100m euros (£83m).“So if United can get this one done south of 60m euros (£50m), it’s not only a good signing for now and the future, and a player Amorim knows really well, it’s also another deal they can potentially get without being forced to, for example Rasmus Hojlund, pay more than they ideally want to.” More

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      Galway United secure Cian Byrne loan as Ollie Horgan backs squad for competitive season

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      GALWAY UNITED have added Bohemians centre half Cian Byrne on loan until July.The 22-year-old was made available by the Gypsies following the return to fitness of Rob Cornwall, with United winning the race for his signature. Cian Byrne has moved from Bohemians to Galway on a season-long loan dealGalway United assistant manager Ollie Horgan is delighted at the signingAssistant manager Ollie Organ said: “He was on our radar, and most club’s radar. He had a very good season last year and he jumped at the chance to take him. “It really only transpired in the last ten days. We’ve a number of injuries in that area of the pitch and we’ve liked him for a long time. “When we were in the First Division, he was with Longford Town and he was outstanding in the games he played against us.”Byrne came through the Bohs academy and spent the first half of the 2023 season on loan at Longford before returning to Bohs, where he played in the FAI Cup final. Last season, he made 26 appearances for the Gypsies though he was not part of the matchday squad for the season opener against Shamrock Rovers. Meanwhile, Horgan believes that Galway United are in a good place this season – but admitted he has no idea where they will finish in what he expects to be a competitive league.He added: “I can’t speak for every club but I’d say the majority of clubs wouldn’t be able to answer you if you asked them where they are going to finish. “Last year, a serious club was going to be relegated and it happened to be Dundalk. You look this year, a big club is going to be relegated.Most read in Football“We’ve brought in players that we think can improve us, to try and improve our finish last year in the top half. “We’re going to have ups and downs with it with the quality that is in this division, the difficult teams are going to be playing away from home.Gigi Buffon’s son Louis scores his first goal in the Primavera 2 championship “But there is certainly a good feel factor, a ‘Let’s go at this’. If it’s good enough, it’s enough. If it’s not, it’s not. “There is no real fear factor, we’ll have a cut off it.” More

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      Arsenal in Alexander Isak blow as Newcastle demand second highest transfer fee in HISTORY to sell star striker

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      ARSENAL have been dealt a blow in their hopes of making Alexander Isak their new No9.Newcastle have no desire to sell the star and instead want to build a team around him.Alexander Isak could shatter the record for a move between two Prem clubs, set when Chelsea paid Brighton £115m for Moises Caicedo in 2023Credit: RexNeymar, now back with Santos, is the costliest player ever at £198mCredit: EPAReal Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe cost old club PSG £163m in 2018Credit: GettyAnd it would take nearly DOUBLE the reported £82.9million fee for them to even respond to any potential bids.That means the Swede would be the second costliest player ever – below Paris Saint-Germain’s £198m capture of Neymar from Barcelona in 2017 and above the £163m PSG paid Monaco for Kylian Mbappe in 2018.Isak, 25, has emerged as one of the most-coveted players on the planet since his club-record £63m arrival from Real Sociedad in 2022.He became the first Toon player since legend Alan Shearer two decades ago to hit 20 Premier League goals last term.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe is already on 17 in the top-flight this season and is also looking to achieve icon status by ending Newcastle’s 70-year major trophy drought in the Carabao Cup Final next month.However, his red-hot form on Tyneside has caught the eye of a host of clubs across the continent but it is Toon’s Prem rivals that continue to be linked the most.Arsenal are desperate for a striker with their lack of one looking set to cost them in the title race again.They have held a long-term interest and are believed to be readying a swoop for later this year.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMeanwhile, Wembley opponents Liverpool and Chelsea would also both love to sign him.Newcastle, though, are under no pressure to sell and have the hotshot tied down to a contract believed to be worth £130,000-a-week until 2028.Arsenal post new footage of Mikel Merino goal… but supporters are more interested in what Leicester fans are doingTOP 10 COSTLIEST PLAYERS EVERPREM clubs have been involved in four of the 10 most expensive transfers of all time.1 Neymar (Barcelona to PSG, £198m, 2017)2 Kylian Mbappe (Monaco to PSG, £163m, 2018)3 Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to Barcelona, £142m, 2018)4 Ousmane Dembele (Dortmund to Barcelona, £135.5m, 2017)5 Moises Caicedo (Brighton to Chelsea, £115m, 20236 Jude Bellingham (Dortmund to Real Madrid, £114m, 2023)7 Joao Felix (Benfica to Atletico Madrid, £112.9m, 2019)8 Enzo Fernandez (Benfica to Chelsea, £107m, 2023)9 Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona, £107m, 2019)10 Declan Rice (West Ham to Arsenal, £105m, 2023)Despite reports claiming that Isak wants to “make a leap forward” and that he would be allowed to leave if a “fair proposal” was received should they fail to qualify for the Champions League, their stance is quite the opposite.A figure of £82.9m was touted – but Newcastle have zero interest in making just a £20m profit on Isak.Even if they do not finish in the top five, the club have come through three tough transfer windows without any major additions in order to bolster their PSR position.And Eddie Howe is not only determined to hang on to Isak, he hopes to finally be able to bring in several new additions in order to compliment the likes of the forward, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon.Newcastle have always been relaxed over Isak’s contract situation even when preliminary talks over a new package ceased last year due to the length of his current one.Although further discussions are pencilled in once this season finishes.Speaking on the situation earlier in the campaign, Newcastle boss Howe said: “I think with Alex he’s got a long contract anyway and we have to be really careful regarding our spending due to PSR. It’s not a clear-cut situation.Toon chief Eddie Howe would love to keep IsakCredit: RexArsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to capture a world-class frontmanCredit: Getty“We of course love him and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score loads and loads of goals for us, but I don’t see a short-term issue with his contract.”Isak himself has also stated that he is not thinking about his future, saying in December: “Throughout my career, I have never talked about or really commented on the move rumours during the season.“There have been many such years where it has been talked about. “It doesn’t affect me. I am commenting on my situation in Newcastle, and I have never had any problem there.“I am fully focused on my task there and that we will have a fantastic season. “There are still great opportunities for that. I have no thoughts about anything else.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The only thing I can say is that a lot of information and rumours often come out. “Much of what I read is not true. So that’s about all I can say about the whole thing.” More

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      ‘You got it right, I lied’ – Pep Guardiola makes U-turn on Champions League prediction ahead of Real Madrid clash

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      PEP GUARDIOLA lied when he said Manchester City only have a one per cent chance of knocking out Real Madrid.But the Spaniard still accepts his side will have to be “almost perfect” if they are to overturn a 3-2 Champions League play-off round first-leg deficit at the Bernabeu.Pep Guardiola admitted City have a more than one per cent chance of knocking Real Madrid out the Champions LeagueCredit: ReutersThe Etihad chief wants his players to give the holders a “scare” and said: “Every time I say what I think, you don’t believe me but this time you got it right — I lied.”With a smile on his face, Guardiola added: “It’s true I said it because after the match in England, we were out.“Always it’s very tough coming to the Bernabeu, with the history but we’ve had good moments here.“Let’s see if we can at least scare them and we’ll see what happens.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReal manager Carlo Ancelotti laughed off Pep’s claims, saying: “Before the game I’ll ask him if he really thinks they have a one per cent chance of winning.“We certainly don’t think we have a 99 per cent chance. We have a small advantage but have to make the most of it.”City have won at the home of the Spanish giants before  — back in 2020 — and will have to repeat that to stay in the competition.Yet one thing his team have not been short of in this troubled season is goals — with 33 coming in their last ten games in all competitions.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThey will need more if they are to get through as Madrid will fancy their chances of adding to the three they netted in the first leg.That came after City threw away a 2-1 lead with just four minutes of normal time remaining to lose 3-2.How Pep used the world’s best striker Haaaland as a decoy to set up Marmoush masterclassGuardiola said: “We have to be almost perfect but we are coming here with a situation that is not perfect. We have to attack and score goals.“You have to play with courage, you have to be yourself. You have to play to win the game.”Madrid have only ONCE failed to go through in this competition after winning the away leg first — and that was to Erik ten Hag’s Ajax in a 4-1 loss six years ago.Guardiola said: “The pressure is there but  it’s welcome. You cannot perform well without it.“It depends how we play, how we handle the moments. In the big  stadiums you have to suffer the bad moments.”City have been boosted as Erling Haaland was passed fit despite jarring his knee on Saturday. More

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      Ex-Arsenal star, 47, targets Blackburn job with talks set to take place within days

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      LUIS BOA MORTE would be interested in the vacant Blackburn job.Championship outfit Rovers are looking for a new boss after John Eustace jumped ship for relegation-threatened Derby last week.Luis Boa Morte is keen on the Blackburn jobCredit: GettyGeorge Boateng is also in the runningCredit: GettySunSport understands former Arsenal, Southampton, Fulham and West Ham midfielder Boa Morte, 47, is set to hold talks with Ewood Park chiefs  in the coming days.Boa Morte has been in charge of the Guinea-Bissau national team since March, following a three-year stint as Marco Silva’s No 2 at Fulham.But the ex-Portugal international would be swayed by the Rovers gig.Former Aston Villa and Middlesbrough midfielder George Boateng, 49, is also in the running.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe has only one other managerial job – Kelantan in Malaysia – but has held various coaching roles across English football.Boateng previously coached in the Blackburn youth setup, taking charge of their under-13s in 2018.He left Coventry City last year after the arrival of Frank Lampard to the Sky Blues after spells coaching the Ghana national team and Villa.Blackburn currently sit fifth in the Championship and are hopeful of a play-off place.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThey beat Plymouth 2-0 on Saturday with David Lowe, 59, in interim charge.Former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is the current bookies favourite to get the job.Where are they now: The unusual careers of former footballers More