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      Chelsea and Newcastle ‘fighting for Gregor Kobel with Dortmund star’s agent set to fly to London for transfer talks’

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      BORUSSIA Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel is reportedly set to leave the club this summer, with both Chelsea and Newcastle United interested.The Swiss shot-stopper has caught the eye of some of Europe’s top clubs with impressive performances in the Bundesliga, and now it looks like his days in Germany are numbered.Gregor Kobel has been brilliant for Dortmund this seasonCredit: GettyGregor Kobel is a man in demand after top performances for DortmundCredit: RexGregor Kobel was sensational in the Champions LeagueCredit: ReutersThe 27-year-old has missed only two league games all season, made 72 saves and kept five clean sheets. Chelsea are reportedly in the market to replace No1 goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who divides opinion within the fanbase due to some erratic performances this season.The Blues are expected to be aggressive in the summer transfer window again, despite already spending over £1billion on new players in the last two seasons.Meanwhile, Newcastle United, who are hoping to qualify for Champions League football, are looking to generate some competition for Nick Pope.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAccording to journalist Santi Aouna on X, Kobel’s agent will be in London next week to meet with some clubs with Newcastle and Chelsea already making inquiries.The summer transfer window is just around the corner, all eyes will be on Kobel’s next move.There is no doubt that if he were to depart, it would be a massive blow to Dortmund, who have struggled in the Bundesliga this season.The eight-time German champions are in real danger of missing out on European football entirely next season, and losing one of their few shining stars would be a huge setback.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKHowever, the Premier League is a massive pull, with many players dreaming of making a move for a variety of reasons.Chelsea currently have Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Marcus Bettinelli, and Lucas Bergström in their squad, but none have convinced massively.How Enzo Maresca can transform Chelsea to challenge for Premier League titleThis has led to the need for Chelsea to return to the market this summer to try and sign someone with experience and exceptional skill.Since their PIF takeover in 2021, Newcastle have the cash to spend but have bought carefully and wisely.It will be interesting to see what moves Eddie Howe makes in the summer. More

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      Inter 2 Bayern Munich 2 (4-3 on agg): Harry Kane’s Champions League dreams fall apart as German giants crash out

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      HARRY KANE’S Champions League misery continued despite a stunning strike in the San Siro.The England skipper looked to have handed Bayern Munich a way back into the tie with a brilliant finish seven minutes into the second half.Harry Kane celebrates levelling the tie on 52 minutesCredit: AFPThe England captain finished brilliantly in the boxCredit: APKane received from Konrad Laimer on the right of the Inter box and drilled between the legs of Federico Dimarco into the far corner.It was Kane’s 35th of the season as he became the first Englishman to score 11 in a single Champions League campaign and only the second goal Inter had conceded in six home European games this season. But Vincent Kompany’s men, aiming to become just the eighth team in Champions League history to go through after losing the first leg on their own turf, then committed set-piece suicide TWICE in the space of four minutes.First Dimarco’s left-wing corner was met by Lautaro Martinez, whose soft header rebounded off Joshua Kimmich to allow the Argentine to thrash the rebound home from eight yards.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd then, immediately after Eric Dier had made an incredible goalline clearance to deny ex-Manchester United man Matteo Darmian, Bayern were again punished.Nobody in white got close to Hakan Calhanoglou’s delivery from the right, with former Bayern defender Benjamin Pavard outjumping hapless Kim Min-jae to power home from six yards.Dier levelled on the night with a looping back post header, his first for the club since moving from Spurs.But there was no way back for Bayern or Kane, whose last minute hooked effort flew over the bar.Most read in Champions LeagueBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKLautaro Martinez celebrates with Benjamin PavardCredit: AFPPavard scores in a crowded penalty areaCredit: ReutersBayern are still favourites to lift the Bundesliga crown and hand Kane his first winners’ medal, leading by six points with just five games to play.But Inter remain on course to repeat their 2010 Treble under Jose Mourinho, when they also met semi-final opponents Barcelona in the last four.And Kane and Co have missed out on the possibility of a home final, with the showpiece to take place at the Allianz Arena on May 31.Champions League final to be headlined by legendary rock group as details of Munich showdown are revealedMartinez receives the adulation of Inter’s fansCredit: ReutersThe Inter icon converts beyond Bayern’s stand-in keeperCredit: ReutersEric Dier’s looping header got Bayern back into the contestCredit: APDier is congratulated by his Bayern team-matesCredit: AFP More

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      Kompany’s ‘newly single’ Bayern assistant looking for love with ‘woman named Nathalie’ as he posts brilliant public plea

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      VINCENT KOMPANY’S right-hand man revealed he is looking for love – but there is one crucial requirement.Rodyse Munienge is a close friend of the Bayern Munich manager and has followed him throughout his career.Rodyse Munienge is looking for loveCredit: GettyMunienge is Vincent Kompany’s right-hand manCredit: GettyHe now works as team coordinator at Bayern and is looking for love.However, it comes with a catch, as Munienge joked his partner would have to be called Nathalie, as he has the name tattooed.The Belgian tweeted: “Newly single man, 40 years old, looking for a woman named Nathalie. So I don’t have to redo my tattoo.”It is not clear if his ‘Nathalie’ tattoo was inspired by an ex-partner.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMunienge is a colourful character and he has fulfilled a number of roles alongside Kompany.At Bayern he is always on the training ground and often operates a drone to film players’ positioning and running patterns.He has previously acted as a CHAUFFER for Kompany, with his first job being his personal assistant while the former defender played for Hamburg.Kompany’s father, Pierre, once said of the relationship: “He does everything possible for Vincent, and has done so for years.Most read in BundesligaBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS”Rodyse is his bodyguard, his driver, his jack-of-all-trades.”Munienge was part of Kompany’s backroom staff at Anderlecht and Burnley and is known for his humorous posts.Harry Kane leaves fans stunned by his German and fans are convinced it is a major hint over transfer future At Christmas he wrote on Instagram: “Can you please stop asking Santa for the perfect man? I was almost kidnapped three times.” More

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      Raphinha slammed over ‘shameless’ act in Barcelona’s win against Dortmund

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      RAPHINHA has been slammed on social media after a “shameless” act in the Champions League.The Brazilian netted Barcelona’s opening goal in the Catalans’ 4-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.Raphinha prods home from right on the goal lineRaphinha has 12 goals in 11 Champions League games this termCredit: GettyRaphinha’s actions denied Pau Cubarsi his first ever Champions League goalCredit: GettyRobert Lewandowski haunted his former side once again with a brace, before teenage sensation Lamine Yamal completed the rout on 77 minutes. But Raphinha, the former Leeds United winger, was the big talking point as he was slated for perceived selfishness during Barca’s win.The anger comes after he bundled home to break the deadlock in the 25th minute at the Estadi OIympic Lluis Companys, Barca’s temporary home while the Nou Camp gets renovated.The Brazilian earned bucketload of backlash online for “stealing” a goal from Pau Cubarsi, the teenage centre-back who’s never scored in the Champions League.Read more FootballCurbasi, the 18-year-old Spanish defender, turned an Inigo Martinez knockdown from Fermin Lopez’s free kick goalbound, with the ball trickling towards the far corner.However, Raphinha, ghosting in unmarked at the back post, made sure that the ball went in by getting the last touch just before it crossed the line.The incident sparkled a frenzy on social media, with one fan taking to X to comment: “Raphinha having no shame in stealing what would’ve been an 18 year old’s first ever Champions League goal”, while another tweeted: “That was shameless from Raphinha”.Raphinha’s 12th goal in Europe this season really upset one fan, who tweeted: “That’s the sort of stupidity that shouldn’t be rewarded”.Most read in Champions LeagueJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSOthers expressed their dismay at Raphinha’s selfishness, saying: “Goal robbed” and “I would be so mad if I was Curbasi…”.Another claimed that Raphinha had “snatched Cubarsi’s goal to boost his Ballon D’Or chances”, but perhaps the most brutal comment was that Raphinha is “a crook” and there was “no way you try stat pad when it was already going in ffs… this Ballon D’or s*** got guys acting outta character.”The result leaves Hansi Flick’s side with one foot in the last four of Europe’s premier competition, and Barca will face the winners of Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, assuming they avoid a sensational comeback in Dortmund next week.Barca are having a strong season, going under the radar of many in Flick’s first term in the hotseat, and the German has them top of LaLiga by four points, en route to taking back the league title that they lost to Real Madrid in the last campaign.Robert Lewandowski was the thorn in his former club’s side, scoring twiceLamine Yamal was also among the goalscorers More

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      Referees to wear BODYCAMS at major tournament with footage set to be shown to fans on TV

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      REFEREES will wear bodycams during the Club World Cup, it has been confirmed.Footage from the cameras will be readily available to broadcasters during matches at the competition.The club world cup will feature bodycam footage from refsCredit: AFPThe technology has had good feedback from trials in England at the grassroots levelCredit: PAJarred Gillett used a bodycam during a Premier League clash last seasonCredit: GettyIt was revealed during a Prem clash between Crystal Palace and Man UtdCredit: Sky SportsThe move was confirmed by the chairman of the Fifa referees committee, Pierluigi Collina.Collina said: “It is a good chance to offer the viewers a new experience, in terms of images taken from a perspective, from an angle of vision which was never offered before.”It’s a combination of new experience for broadcasters and also for coaching purposes.”Having the possibility to see what the referee sees is important in the debriefing, to evaluate how the call was made by the referee, which was his view, and so on.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReferee bodycams were first trialled in English football at the grassroots level last season.The trials were then expanded for this season after results showed a decrease in abuse toward match officials.In the Premier League, Jarred Gillett became the first referee to wear a bodycam during last season’s clash between Crystal Palace and Manchester United in May, a game won 4-0 by Palace.That game was a one-off to capture footage for a programme promoting match officials.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKOther nations have also taken to using bodycams.The Bundesliga saw its first instance of a referee wearing a bodycam in February 2024 during a game between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.Fifa show off incredible new Club World Cup trophy that has be opened with a giant gold KEYFootball in the United States, where the refreshed 32-team Club World Cup will be played out this summer, has seen the use of bodycam footage in recent seasons in Major League Soccer.Manchester City and Chelsea are the English clubs who will be present at the tournament.It will run from June 15 to July 13.The early scheduling of the post-season tournament has seen the Premier League open up a second summer transfer window to allow teams to sign players before the competition begins.It will then be shut again during the tournament before re-opening afterwards for the remainder of the summer.Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge More

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      ‘This was not in line with my personal wishes’ Thomas Muller reveals Bayern Munich have forced him out in emotional post

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      THOMAS MULLER has admitted that he wanted to stay at Bayern Munich for another year.The Bundesliga giants have confirmed that Muller will leave at the end of the season following 25 years at Bayern.Thomas Muller is set to leave Bayern Munich after 25 yearsCredit: RexMuller, 35, had been set to pen a 12-month extension, only for Bayern to withdraw their contract offer.Amid news breaking of his impending departure, the 12-time Bundesliga champion penned an emotional letter to fans.It read: “After a lot of speculation about me recently, I would like to use this letter to you as an opportunity to clarify things.”Even after all these years, regardless of my playing minutes, I still have a lot of fun being on the pitch with the boys and fighting for titles together for our colours. I could have easily imagined myself in this role next year as well.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”However, the club made a conscious decision not to negotiate a new contract with me for next season.”Even if this was not in line with my personal wishes, it is important that the club follows its convictions. I respect this step, which the Executive Board and Supervisory Board certainly did not take lightly.”I understandably did not like the back and forth in public over the past weeks and months.”However, I feel the same way about my football game: it wasn’t always characterised by perfection either, but rather by thinking positively ahead to the next action.Most read in BundesligaGrand National betting offers and free bets”After a misplaced pass, you have to win the ball back with team unity. Over the past few days, we have also managed to do this in trusting discussions.”I can feel the appreciation from everyone involved for my long time at @fcbayern and feel deep joy at having played for my favourite club for 25 incredibly intense years.Thomas Muller celebrates becoming unlikely ‘Olympic champion’ as he shows off Paris 2024 gold medal”I will always remember so many great moments together.”Muller has played 743 times for Bayern – scoring 247 goals and laying on 273 assists.The veteran forward has found his minutes limited this season, starting just eight of his side’s 28 Bundesliga matches thus far, scoring once.Muller has won several trophies during his time at Bayern, including 12 league titles, six domestic cups and two Champions Leagues.The popular figure has also excelled at international level – scoring 45 goals in 131 Germany appearances and winning the World Cup in 2014.Muller is not expected to retire upon his Bayern exit this summer.Read More on The SunAccording to German outlet Bild, Muller could join Bayern’s partner club LAFC.It’s claimed that he could combine playing for the MLS side with becoming a Bayern club ambassador in the United States. More

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      Mats Hummels chokes back tears as he retires aged 36 after World Cup winner and Dortmund legend’s incredible career

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      GERMANY legend Mats Hummels has announced his retirement from football.Hummels, 36, rolled credits on his glittering 18-year career with an emotional announcement on social media.Mats Hummels has announced his retirement from footballCredit: GettyHummels could barely hold back his tears as he announced his retirementThe centre-back, who currently plays for Roma, sat in front of a camera and watched the greatest highlights of his career with the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Germany.The defender then confirmed that he will be hanging up his boots at the end of the season.Hummels said: “I’m struggling with myh emotions right now. Now comes the moment that no footballer can avoid.”After more than 18 years and so many things that football has given me, I’m ending my career this summer.Read More on Football”When I see all this [the highlights], I know how much this whole journey, this whole path has meant to me. How extraordinary it was to be able to experience that.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

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      Inside Europe’s biggest giant killers with third tier side in major cup final after shocking FOUR Bundesliga teams

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      YOU might not be aware of German third-tier side Arminia Bielefeld.But the minnows have certainly made themselves known to the top dogs.Arminia Bielefeld beat Bayer Leverkusen to reach the final of the DFB Pokal on TuesdayCredit: EPAIt was the fourth time the third-tier side beat a Bundesliga club in the competition this seasonCredit: EPAArminia currently play in the third tier of German footballCredit: AFPBayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso was left furiousCredit: GettyArminia booked a spot in the DFB Pokal final on Tuesday after beating reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen at SchücoArena.The third tier outfit stunned Xabi Alonso and Co with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Marius Worl and Maximilian Grosser.It was the third top-tier team Arminia had beat in the competition.They defeated Union Berlin 2-0 in the second round before seeing off SC Freiburg in the last-16 in December.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Blues went on to beat Werder Bremen in the quarter-finals to secure a semi-final meeting with Bayer Leverkusen.They will now face either Stuttgart or RB Leipzig in the final of the competition.Third-tier outfit Arminia have become the first team outside the top two divisions to knock four Bundesliga sides out of the German Cup in one season.WHO ARE ARMINIA BIELEFELD?Established in 1905, Arminia are based in the city of Bielefeld in northwestern Germany.Most read in BundesligaCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe Blues have participated in the Bundesliga for a total of 19 seasons so far since being founded.They last found themselves in the league during the 2021-22 campaign.Bundesliga match suspended after goalkeeper struck by lighter thrown from crowdArminia were relegated to the 2. Bundesliga – the second tier of German football – at the end of that season after finishing 17th in the table.They subsequently finished 16th the following term and lost the relegation playoff to Wehen Wiesbaden.It meant the Blues dropped down to the 3. Liga – the third tier of German football – in back-to-back relegations.And they have not been promoted since.Arminia play their home games at the SchücoArena, a 27,000-seater stadium in Bielefeld.Arminia have suffered back-to-back relegations in recent yearsCredit: EPAWHO IS THE MANAGER?Michel Kniat is the manager of Arminia Bielefeld.The 39-year-old played as a centre-back in Germany before becoming a coach.He took over at Arminia back in 2023.After the semi-final win, Kniat said: “I am so proud of the team.”The whole region is feeling this. No one will be sleeping tonight.”We defended with a lot of passion and that was the key. We worked extremely hard.”Read More on The SunArminia have become the fourth team from the third division to reach the German Cup final. Hertha Berlin’s reserve team achieved the feat in 1993, followed by Energie Cottbus in 1997 and Union Berlin in 2001.Michel Kniat has led the team to the historic achievementCredit: Reuters More