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    Joshua Kimmich ‘set to SNUB Arsenal free transfer’ as Bayern Munich star ‘has concrete offer from Champions League club’

    JOSHUA KIMMICH is not interested in joining Arsenal, according to reports.The Bayern Munich star, 30, is set to be out of contract this summer.Joshua Kimmich remains a key man at Bayern MunichCredit: GettyKimmich’s impending free agency has attracted plenty of transfer interest, including from North London.Arsenal are said to be keen on bringing the midfielder to the Emirates.But according to German outlet Bild, Kimmich is not enthusiastic about a potential move to the Gunners.They add that Bayern remain hopeful of keeping their stalwart at Allianz Arena.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLClub chiefs have offered Kimmich a new contract, but have not been impressed with his response.It’s said that staying at Bayern is a more likely outcome than moving to Arsenal, however.Liverpool are also said to have taken a look at Kimmich.But the most concrete interest has come from Paris Saint-Germain.Most read in BundesligaJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe French champions have tabled a serious offer for the German international.Despite interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, as it stands Kimmich’s future appears to lie either in Paris or Munich.Harry Kane scores from a distance in Bayern Munich training The 97-cap star has remained an important player for Vincent Kompany despite his contract status.He has started all but one match in all competitions this season, including last night’s 3-0 drubbing of Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.Kimmich has made 427 appearances for Bayern since joining from RB Leipzig in 2015.The all-action midfielder has won eight Bundesliga titles, three German domestic cups and the Champions League. More

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    Ex-Man Utd keeper makes horror blunder to gift Musiala goal as Bayern Munich thrash Leverkusen 3-0 in Champions League

    BAYER LEVERKUSEN goalkeeper Matej Kovar made a horror blunder to gift Bayern Munich the edge in their Champions League crunch clash.Jamal Musiala capitalised when Kovar – who spent three years at Manchester United between 2020 and 2023 – dropped Joshua Kimmich’s simple cross in the 55th minute.Former Manchester United keeper Matej Kovar made a horror blunder against Bayern MunichKovar failed to collect Joshua Kimmich’s cross in the 55th minuteCredit: GettyKovar never made a first-team appearance for the Red Devils, but did play 53 times for their under-21s.With Bayern 1-0 up at the time, Arsenal and Liverpool target Kimmich’s lofty long cross should’ve been a simple catch for the Czech Republic Euro 2024 stopper. But Kovar, 24, jumped and somehow let the ball slip through his fingers in the 55th minute, to double the home side’s lead.Musiala, who was lingering underneath Kovar, pounced on the mistake and tapped home his third Champions League goal of the season.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe camera turned to a devastated Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso on the touchline.During his three year stint at United, Kovar was shipped out on loan to Swindon Town, Burton Albion and Sparta Prague, before joining Leverkusen on a permanent basis in 2023.Things went from bad to worse for the visitors after Kovar’s howler when Nordi Mukiele was sent off for a second booking for a foul on Kingsley Coman in the 62nd minute.Meanwhile, Harry Kane marked his reunion with blunder referee Michael Oliver, with two goals – his 53rd and 54th in the competition.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKane got Bayern off to a dream start after just nine minutes, with a high back-post header over Leverkusen’s Mukiele.The England captain met former Crystal Palace star and countryman Michael Olise’s blistering pristine cross. Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich shows off his skills on the training pitch Kovar spent three years with Manchester UnitedJamal Musiala was behind Kovar and capitalised on his faux-pas to put his 2-0 upCredit: GettyBlunder ref Michael Oliver was kept busy on Wednesday nightCredit: AFPKane then won a foul from Edmond Tapsoba inside the box and scored a penalty in the 71st minute to secure a 3-0 win for the Bundesliga leaders.The former Spurs star has now scored 30-plus goals in a season for the seventh time in his club career, since the first season he did so in 2014-15.Only Robert Lewandowski has more 30 goal campaigns (nine) for clubs in Europe’s big-five leagues.Olise looked at home in the Champions League and was a menace throughout.But it took just 16 minutes, for under-fire Prem ref Oliver to be sucked into his first bit of drama.Bayern stars crowded him when Kane’s free-kick, won by Olise, struck Mukiele’s arm, who was standing in the wall inside the box inside 15 minutes.Oliver waved on before a standard VAR check confirmed no penalty.The biggest controversy came when Kane escaped a red card after a David Beckham-style kick out at Granit Xhaka.Oliver was reunited with former Tottenham star Harry KaneCredit: AFPKane lashed out at Granit Xhaka with an apparent kickXhaka shoved Kane in the back, causing the striker to fall.The England captain then lashed out at Xhaka and appeared to throw out his leg as the ex-Arsenal star fell to the turf.Team-mates and the referee had to intervene to separate the former North London derby rivals, though neither were booked.Oliver was kept busy on Wednesday night after two red card checks across the 90 minutes.He might welcome a weekend off after being kept off the Prem schedule.It comes after Oliver’s stunning initial decision not to send off a Millwall player for a kung-fu kick on Saturday.Oliver, 40, needed a VAR intervention to persuade him to issue a red card to Lions keeper Liam Roberts for his outrageous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.Meanwhile, 10-man Barcelona beat Benfica 1-0 away from home in their first-leg tie in Lisbon.Former Leeds star Raphinha broke the deadlock in the 61st minute, with a stunning low corner finish past Anatoliy Trubin.Barca star Pau Cubarsi showed his age when he was given a straight red for a last-man challenge on Vangelis Pavlidis in the 22nd minute.Cubarsi, 18, was hoping to execute the perfect challenge, but caught Pavlidis on the edge of the box.READ MORE SUN STORIESInsodoing, he became the the second youngest player to be sent off in Champions League history after Celestine Babayaro in 1994 (16 years and 86 days).Benfica keeper Trubin had been forced into a sensational triple save just moments before the red card.Pau Cubarsi was given a straight red for a last-man challenge on Vangelis PavlidisCredit: EPA More

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    Premier League manager wanted by Champions League club despite chairman demanding £86MILLION compensation to let him go

    BUNDESLIGA and Champions League outfit RB Leipzig are reportedly keen to bring in a new manager from the Premier League.Leipzig, who are currently sixth in the German Bundesliga, are said to be ready to part ways with current boss Marco Rose at the end of the season.RB Leipzig head coach Marco Rose is reportedly set to replaced in the summerCredit: APRose, 48, has been in charge of Leipzig since 2022 and is understood to be under mounting pressure with the club already some 23 points off the top of the table.And according to Sky Germany, that has seen the club’s Red Bull execs – including new addition Jurgen Klopp – draw up a list of potential replacements for the former Borussia Dortmund boss.It’s claimed that top of the list of candidates is Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness, who guided Stuttgart to a second place finish above Bayern Munich last season.While Benfica manager Roger Schmidt is also understood to have been approved by Klopp and his team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHowever, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is thought to be another top three target for Leipzig following his impressive work with the Eagles.Glasner joined Palace last year, having previously had a successful stint in charge of Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt where he won the Europa League in the 2021/22 season.Leipzig could have to fork out some serious cash to get Glasner though, with Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich reportedly scared off by the mammoth compensation demands of Palace chief Steve Parish.Bayern were huge admirers of Glasner in the summer and had been linked with poaching away the Austrian before settling on the appointment of Vincent Kompany.Most read in FootballCrystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner is being considered by LeipzigCredit: GettyOliver Glasner Crystal Palace recordA brief look at the stats behind Oliver Glasner’s time at Crystal Palace…Games in charge: 47Won: 22Draw: 12Lost: 13Goals scored: 80Goals conceded: 53CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut when approaching Palace with a £15.5m compensation offer to prise him out of their grip, the Bavarians were told that Parish was looking for a fee much closer to £86MILLION.For perspective, that fee is four times larger than the record compensation ever paid for a manager – Chelsea’s £21.5m payment to Brighton for the services of Graham Potter.Millwall fan is beaten up by gang of Crystal Palace supporters after confronting rivals in Selhurt Park standsWhile £86m also far eclipses the transfer fees spent on the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Cole Palmer and Rodri.Since his arrival in South London, Glasner has managed a 46.8 per centwin percentage.Glasner helped the Eagles secure a top half Premier League finish for the first time in nine years last season, and currently has the Selhurst Park outfit sitting 12th in the table.Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish reportedly demanded around £86m in compensation to allow Glasner to leave Selhurst Park in the summerCredit: PA More

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    Arsenal face competition from Liverpool as they chase free Joshua Kimmich transfer after Bayern contract talks collapsed

    ARSENAL and Liverpool are set for a tug-of-war transfer battle over Joshua Kimmich.Bayern Munich star Kimmich is out of contract in the summer and the Bundesliga giants have pulled the plug on new deal talks.Arsenal and Liverpool are set to battle it out for Joshua Kimmich ahead of the summer transfer windowCredit: APTrent Alexander-Arnold is set to move to Real Madrid in the summer and Kimmich could fill inCredit: GettyBut Kimmich is now free to speak to foreign clubs, with several Prem sides and Barcelona keen to snap up the German World Cup winner.The Gunners want midfield reinforcements with Jorginho, 33, and Thomas Partey, 31, out of contract this summer.Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi has already been lined up for a £51million switch to North London.But Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is an admirer of Kimmich, who can also play as an inverted full-back.Read More on ArsenalFringe players — like Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko — could be sold to raise funds.While Liverpool also want to strengthen their midfield having failed to do so last summer.Kimmich could also replace England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold who has been linked with a free move to Real Madrid.Barca’s ex-Bayern boss Hansi Flick coached Kimmich, but the Spanish side still have financial troubles.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSKimmich has been a key player for Bayern for several yearsBayern Munich currently lead the Bundesliga table and are eight points clear of Bayer Leverkusen.They face Stuttgart on Friday evening, although Kimmich will not feature due to a hamstring problem.Mikel Arteta urges Arsenal to ‘step up’ as focus switches to Champions League Ahead of the match, Vincent Kompany said: “We only have our sights set on Stuttgart.”But he probably won’t be travelling with us. The game is probably too early for him.” More

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    Arsenal ‘in Joshua Kimmich talks’ as Gunners step up transfer chase after Bayern Munich contract offer ‘withdrawn’

    ARSENAL are stepping up their interest in Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich, reports in Germany say. Kimmich’s future in Munich is in question following speculation that the Bundesliga leaders withdrew a contract extension. Arsenal are reportedly stepping up their interest in Bayern Munich’s Joshua KimmichCredit: GettyHis current deal expires in 2028 and according to Sky in Germany, Arsenal have held talks with the midfielder over a move. It comes amid speculation 33-year-old Jorginho is ready to leave the Gunners in the summer when his deal expires. But they are believed to be in competition with at least two others clubs outside of Germany for Kimmich.Bild that first reported Bayern had withdrawn their contract offer to the 30-year-old Champions League winner.READ MORE ON ABut an extension has not been ruled out completely with Bayern said to still want to keep Kimmich – who can also play at right-back. Arsenal have been linked with Kimmich for over a year now – with Germany team-mate Kai Havertz rumoured to have helped in talks. Bayern are top of the Bundesliga by eight points and travel to Stuttgart next – but Kimmich is ruled out due to a hamstring problem.Manager Vincent Kompany said: “We only have our sights set on Stuttgart. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”But he probably won’t be travelling with us. The game is probably too early for him.”Kimmich went off injured in Bayern’s 4-0 win over Frankfurt in their last match. He has 36 appearances this season with one goal to his name. Benni McCarthy and John Barnes troll Sammy Kuffour about 1999 Champions League Final More

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    Jurgen Klopp’s former club’s fans turn on him as Liverpool legend is portrayed in offensive carnival float

    FANS of Bundesliga club Mainz have turned on ex-manager Jurgen Klopp in the wake of his move to Red Bull.Klopp was appointed the Global Head of Football at Red Bull in October, just months after ending his nine-year stay at Liverpool.Jurgen Klopp started his new job with Red Bull last monthCredit: GettyMainz fans have protested his move with a huge carnival floatCredit: ReutersHaving officially started his new job on New Year’s Day, he is now tasked with advising the group’s teams – including RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg and New York Red Bulls.The 57-year-old is responsible for guiding philosophy and the development of young players.He is also in a position of power when it comes to managerial appointments and transfers.Klopp’s move to Red Bull sparked criticism from the German media and fans.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe group’s approach to football hugely differs from other clubs across Germany.Red Bull clubs have been accused of financial doping, rather than acting as fan-led organisations.Many Bundesliga fans have now turned against Klopp – including the supporters of his former club, Mainz.Fans of Mainz have made the ex-player and manager the subject of a controversial float at the Rose Monday carnival parade.Most read in BundesligaCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe float shows Klopp with wings made of bank notes, holding a can of Red Bull energy drink in one hand and a football in the other.He is also wearing a baseball cap with a euro symbol on.Liverpool have put Jurgen Klopp’s sprawling £4million home for sale – after Anfield successor Arne Slot turned it down.And written across the side is: “For Kloppo values ​​​​he no longer cares about, used to matter. Because Red Bull lures with a lot of money, he is now falling off his pedestal with a crash.”Mainz supporters previously spoke out against Klopp back in October, shortly after his new job was announced.A huge banner was brandished during a match following the reveal.It read: “Have you forgotten everything we made you become?” More

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    Former Bayern Munich star who collapsed in tears after epic 1999 Man Utd comeback looks unrecognisable 26 years on

    A FORMER Bayern Munich star looked unrecognisable as he appeared at a special event last night.Bayern put on a lavish bash to celebrate the club’s 125th birthday.A former Bayern Munich star beams at last night’s eventThe German giants invited 650 guests to the event, hosted at Munich’s Paulaner Nockherberg.Several famous guests attended, including plenty of Bayern stars past and present.From the current crop, Harry Kane and Manuel Neuer rocked up.While club legends including Philipp Lahm were also in the building.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn addition to Lahm, an ex-Bayern centre-half attended the event.The popular Ghanaian, now 48, played 277 times across a 12-year span with the Bundesliga giants.He won six league titles, four domestic cups and the 2001 Champions League during his stint.Several fans in England, however, will unfortunately remember him from the 1999 Champions League final.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe Bayern Munich star was devastated upon the final whistleCredit: PA:Empics SportThe defender couldn’t believe his side let their lead slipCredit: PA:Empics SportSamuel Kuffour was picked up by referee Pierluigi CollinaCredit: Rex FeaturesFollowing Bayern’s late collapse to Sir Alex Ferguson’s Treble-chasing Manchester United, Samuel Kuffour was devastated.In now iconic images, Kuffour could be seen falling to the ground in floods of tears following Bayern’s late defeat.Ruben Amorim brings up Marcus Rashford as he vows to talk to Garnacho after Man Utd star stormed down tunnelThe Germans had led 1-0 for almost the entire match, courtesy of Mario Basler’s sixth minute goal.But stoppage time strikes by Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned the game around.With anguish etched across his face, Kuffour had to be picked up by referee Pierluigi Collina.Last night, he thankfully appeared to be in much better spirits.Appearing at the event, he beamed while wearing a sharp suit and glasses.Having tended to have very short dark hair as a player, Kuffour now sports a white hair and beard combo.READ MORE SUN STORIESSince hanging up his boots, Kuffour has worked as a pundit for South African channel SuperSports.He has also been involved in the Ghana national team at an executive level.Harry Kane beams on the red carpetCredit: FC BayernGiovane Elber, left, current boss Vincent Kompany, middle, and Mark van Bommel, right, pose for a snapCredit: FC BayernJoshua Kimmich attended alongside girlfriend Lina MeyerCredit: FC Bayern More

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    Bundesliga 2 star left covered in blood and needs stitches after kneeing himself in the face and collapsing to floor

    BUNDESLIGA 2 star Enzo Leopold was left in a bloody mess after remarkably kneeing himself in the face.The crazy injury occurred during Hannover 96’s match against Paderborn last Saturday.Bundesliga 2 star Enzo Leopold remarkably kneed himself in the faceCredit: Sport1The Hannover star was treated at the side of the pitch but was able to continueCredit: RexSome blood was seen coming from his eyebrowCredit: RexLeopold, 24, was attempting to get his foot up to control a ball when he was shoved in the back by rival midfielder Santiago Castaneda.The push ended up pushing his face towards his knee, where they remarkably collided.Cameras saw blood coming from the midfielder’s eyebrow.Play had briefly continued before referee Florian Lechner told Leopold to get treatment.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLTwo medics treated the wound pitchside with tissues before placing him on his back on the floor.Leopold was able to return to the field with some blood coming from the injury, but far less than before.He eventually only left the field of play in the 89th minute, being replaced by English defender Josh Knight.Hannover took a 1–0 lead after just four minutes through Marcel Halstenberg.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBut Paderborn equalised through Adriano Grimaldi seconds after Leopold left the pitch to see the game end 1-1.It was Hannover’s fifth draw on the bounce, a run which left them down in eighth place and dropping away in the hunt for promotion.Bundesliga match suspended after goalkeeper struck by lighter thrown from crowdThe club currently sit on 35 points, six points behind the automatic promotion spots and four points behind the promotion play-off spot.Hannover last played in the German top flight in 2019. More