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      Championship rakes in second biggest crowds in the WORLD as 12.7million attend games

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      THE Championship was the second-biggest attended league in the WORLD last season.Figures compiled by Uefa found the 24 top tier EFL sides were watched by 12.7million fans in 2023-24.This turn-out of Blackburn fans at relegated Burnley this season shows Championship attendance figures are again huge in 2024-25Credit: GettyQPR supporters at Luton also typify ardent backing in the second tierCredit: RexIt was a figure bigger than the attendances in any league except the Premier League – which had total gates of 14.7m.And England’s love affair with the game was shown with 44.7m supporters walking through the turnstiles from the Prem down to Tier 6.That was nearly 50 per cent more than the nearest rival, Germany, where the game attracted a total 30.6m fans.The figures were contained in Uefa’s updated European Club Talent and Competition Landscape report, which included a huge number of statistics about game across the continent.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSUefa noted: “The Championship showcased substantial support last season, with its average attendance of over 23,000 per match ranking seventh among European leagues and the nearly 13 million in aggregate crowds ranking second in world football.“The depth of support in England is unmatched, with more than 5 million attending third-tier matches, almost 3.5 million attending fourth-tier matches and almost 3 million attending the three leagues in tier five and six.”Six Prem sides – Manchester United, West Ham, Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City – attracted aggregate league gates of more than 1m fans last term, with Old Trafford hosting 1.834m supporters across all United’s home matches.That was a total exceeded only by Borussia Dortmund, whose 1.95m came with an average attendance of just over 81,000, and AC Milan.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmong the other findings, Uefa confirmed that Prem refs allowed more stoppage time than any other league last season.Prem matches saw an average of 11 minutes and 33 seconds of added time, with 68 per cent of matches lasting more than 100 minutes as PGMOL officials adopted new Fifa guidelines.’We had a can of beans between 20′ Charlton’s Matt Godden on struggles at old club – What the EFL?!However, with refs’ chief Howard Webb asking his officials to adopt a new approach this term, the average amount of added time so far in the Prem has dropped to nine minutes 59 seconds per game.Across European football, the summer transfer window saw a drop in spending of eight per cent, from 2023’s £6.16bn to £5.66bn this year.For the first time since the Covid pandemic, French, Italian and German clubs were “net spenders” alongside the Prem and Saudi Pro League.Prem sides, despite a slight spending reduction to £1.75bn, paid an average of £13.2m for each signing. More

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      The story behind Scott Sinclair’s football career: How Helen Flanagan’s ex-boyfriend found his way back to boyhood club

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      SCOTT Sinclair is known to football fans as a legend and to many others as the ex-boyfriend of reality star Helen Flanagan.He supported Manchester United from a young age and has gone on to have a successful career across multiple clubs.Scott was born on March 25, 1989, in Bath, Somerset.He got engaged to Corrie actress Helen Flanagan in 2018, but they split in 2022.Their relationship made headlines when Helen appeared on Celebs Go Dating in 2024 and opened up about her love life.So what clubs has the football legend played for?Read more in sportsScott has been training since the age of nineCredit: Getty ImagesScott shares two daughters and a son with Corrie actress Helen FlanaganCredit: Splash NewsBristol RoversScott joined the Bristol Rovers at just nine years old.He became the second-youngest debutant on the club’s first-team at the age of 15 years old and 277 days.The youngest ever debutant in the first-team was Ronnie Dix, aged 15 180 days.The then-15-year-old’s first appearance was as a late substitute for Junior Agogo in a League Two game against Layton Orient in 2004. Most read in FootballScott left his boyhood team Bristol Rovers for ChelseaCredit: ReutersChelseaIn July 2005, Scott was signed to West London football club Chelsea FC. Scott scored his first goal for the blues in September 2007 when they faced off against Hull City, in a match Chelsea won 4-0.The young footballer signed a new four-year deal with the football club in August 2007 and received the squad number 17.History repeated itself for him, as his first goal for Chelsea as a senior player was against Hull City, which ended in a 4-0 win for the London side in the League Cup.Plymouth Argyle (loan)Plymouth Argyle was the first of Scott’s loans from Chelsea to another football club.When Scott was just ten, he was noticed by Plymouth manager Ian Holloway as a future star. Whilst playing for Plymouth for one month during 2007, he helped the team beat Coventry City, Barnet, Derby County and Crystal Palace.Scott signed with the Queen’s Park Rangers in November 2007Credit: PA: Empics sportQueen’s Park RangersScott had a brief, month-long stint at Queen’s Park Rangers after he helped Plymouth beat Crystal Palace in November 2007.At the time, it was reported that QPR had beaten off “stiff competition” to sign Scott. Charlton Athletic (loan)In February 2008, Sinclair was in demand as an upcoming star. He was signed to Charlton Athletic that month, but had little opportunity to play as a member of the first-team. Scott’s loan was terminated after just a month, during which he had three appearances from the bench.Crystal Palace finished fifth in the Championship with Scott in 2008Credit: Getty ImagesCrystal Palace (loan)Scott joined Crystal Palace in March 2008 for the rest of the season. Here, he had many more opportunities to play than he did at Charlton Athletic.He scored twice against Hull and Burnley, in six appearances, and was a key player in helping Crystal Palace to finish fifth in the Championship.Birmingham City (loan)Yet another loan brought Scott to Birmingham City, where his one-month stint was extended to span over the entire season.During his time with Birmingham, Scott made 14 appearances before returning to Chelsea in May.Upon his return to Chelsea, Scott was a substitute for the Blackburn Rovers but did not play.Wigan Athletic (loan)In 2009, Sinclair signed to Wigan Athletic for the 2009-2010 season. Whilst at the Premier League club, he scored his first goal against a familiar foe: Hull City.Unbelievably, his second goal with Wigan was scored (yet again) against Hull.Scot joined Swansea in a £1 million dealCredit: Action ImagesSwansea CityScott’s period of loans and transfers came to an end, as he signed a three-year contract with Swansea in 2010.The fee was worth £500,000 with the potential of the number moving up to £1 million. The footballer quickly made waves, when he scored a his first hat-trick against Peterborough united in a 3-1 win.He later scored another hat-trick against Reading and helped get Swansea promoted to the the Premier League.With only one season remaining, it was reported that he would not be extending his contract with Swansea. Scott transferred to Man United for a reported £8 millionCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdManchester CitySinclair signed for Manchester City in 2012, with a four-year contract.The transfer was reportedly worth £8 million.During his time with the club, he often made late appearances as a substitute which limited his time on the pitch.Surgery on a blood clot in his shoulder took him off the pitch for even more time, before he was loaned to West Bromwich Albion.West Bromwich Albion (loan)Scott started playing with West Bromwich Albion in August 2013, in a season-long loan.His time was cut short with the club though, when a hamstring injury kept him off the pitch until December. Scott played little for the team when he recovered, after their new manager Pepe Mel took over.Scott’s success with Aston Villa led to him being offered a permanent positionCredit: Dave Pinegar- The SunAston Villa (loan)A new period of being loaned to various football clubs continued for Scott, as he joined Aston Villa. He signed with the club in January 2015 as part of a season-long loan.Here, Scott was able to make a big impact.Scott scored their only goal in a 2–1 defeat to Stoke City and helped the team win by scoring in an FA Cup Quarter Final against rivals West Bromwich Albion.Aston Villa (permanent transfer)Scott joined Aston Villa permanently in May 2015 in a deal reportedly worth £2.5 million. At the time, he said: “This is the happiest I have been in a long time.”He stayed with the club until 2016 and scored 27 goals for the team. Scott was voted the player of the year for Celtic in 2017Credit: Kenny Ramsay- The SunCelticThe footballer signed with Celtic on August 7, 2016, and debuted on that same day.He scored the winning goal in that match against Hearts in the 81st minute.In 2017, he was voted Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year at Celtic’s Player of the Year Awards.He described his time with the club as “the best time and the happiest time in my career”.In May 2019, Celtic exercised a clause in his contract to keep him at the club, for one more season.During his time with Celtic, he was the club’s second-highest scorer with 25 goals, behind Moussa Dembélé.Moussa scored 32 goals during this time.Preston North EndScott was signed to Preston North End in January 2020.However, the Covid lockdown, announced in March 2020, made it difficult for the team to play together.He was released by Preston North End at the end of the 2021-22 season.Scott’s journey in football eventually led him back to the Bristol Rovers in 2022Credit: Getty ImagesBristol Rovers (second spell)After a long and varied career, it was announced that Scott would rejoin his childhood team in October 2022. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe returned for a short-time, at first, and beat another former club: Plymouth Argyle.In 2024, it was announced that Scott had accepted a one-year deal with the team and that he would be staying on to become club captain. More

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      Former Premier League striker sparks mass brawl on pitch after putting ball into empty net for controversial goal

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      CHILE striker Eduardo Vargas scored a controversial goal against Bolivia on Tuesday, sparking a mass brawl on the pitch.Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe suffered an injury while receiving a pass-back from a defender and immediately called for medical assistance.Eduardo Vargas scored a controversial goal for Chile following an injury to Bolivia keeper Carlos LampeCredit: AFPThe striker’s celebrations sparked outrage given the circumstancesCredit: AFPA huge brawl between the two teams broke outCredit: APHowever, the match was not stopped and Vargas quickly made the most of the opportunity.The striker quickly jumped onto the loose ball and passed it into an empty net.Bolivia players were left furious and ran over to Vargas to confront him.It sparked a huge brawl, with several players from both teams getting involved.Read More in FootballLampe was eventually stretchered off and replaced by Guillermo Viscarra.The goalkeeper was later found to have ruptured his Achilles tendon.A statement from the Bolivia camp read: “The operation will be carried out at the MEDS Clinic in Santiago, Chile, at the end of the afternoon on Wednesday, September 11, in order to immediately begin the recovery process.”Vargas’ goal was allowed to stand, but Bolivia went on to win 2-1 against Ricardo Gareca’s side.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe striker once spent a season-long loan spell with Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League.He made 22 appearances for QPR in total and scored three goals.The 25 top-rated footballers in EA FC25Vargas now plays for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil.Meanwhile, Southampton striker Ben Brereton Diaz endured a nightmare during the match after being hauled off in the 34th minute.The 25-year-old was withdrawn early due to his performance, not an injury. More

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      Former Chelsea star Victor Moses makes shock return to English football as fans say ‘this came out of nowhere’

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      FORMER Chelsea star Victor Moses has returned to English football by signing for Luton.The 33-year-old was a free agent after leaving Spartak Moscow in the summer but has put pen to paper for the Championship Hatters.Victor Moses has joined LutonCredit: X @LutonTownThe winger was a free agent after leaving Spartak MoscowCredit: GettyHe joined the club on trial initially and took part in training before featuring in a behind-closed-doors match last week.Moses impressed Luton boss Rob Edwards and the club offered him a deal which he was happy to sign.Edwards said of his capture: “Victor is one we’ve been talking to for quite a while. He trained with us last week and played 60 minutes in a behind closed doors game, and we made a decision because we think he’s able to come in and help us.“He gives us more strength in depth and versatility, because he’s someone who can play both sides or as a number ten.READ MORE ON CHELSEA“He’s played for so many different clubs in different ways and shapes, and under different managers, so he’s tactically aware. We think he’s someone who can provide some really good competition for us.“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him and expect too much too soon. He’s not going to come in and start the games straight away. He’s got to get used to what we do and how we play, but he’s fit, he’s able to come in and affect it now, and he definitely makes the squad stronger.”Moses helped Chelsea win the Premier League in 2017 before leaving on several loan spells.He joined Inter Milan on a temporary basis in 2019-20 and helped them win Serie A, with both of Moses’ league title wins coming under Antonio Conte.Most read in ChampionshipBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe versatile star has a wealth of experience which also includes spells in Turkey and Russia, along with 38 Nigeria caps, and fans are delighted to see him back in England.One supporter reacted saying: “Good to see him back in England, all the best Victor.” Man Utd flop Jadon Sancho makes bizarre claim about Enzo Maresca being reason he joined Chelsea but it doesn’t add upAnother added: “We have manifested a return of a #Barclaysman to England.”And a Luton supporter reacted to the signing saying: “Well this came out of nowhere! Welcome Victor.”Edwards praised Moses’ humility and hopes he can be a big addition to the squad on and off the pitch.He added: “He’s someone who we can learn from as well. He’s won a Premier League title under Antonio Conte playing in a similar sort of role to what we ask some of our lads to do, so we’ll be able to pick his brains.“He’s had a fantastic career, been there and done it. He’s got an amazing CV. But alongside that he’s a really good lad, a quiet, unassuming, down to earth person.“What tells you about his humility is that he’s been willing to come in, basically on trial with us, to show how hungry he is to play for Luton Town. We are really excited about working with him.” More

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      Brighton planning next wonderkid transfer raid as Seagulls eye 20-year-old EFL star who has already captained his side

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      BRIGHTON are ready to move for Sheffield United’s rising star Ollie Arblaster as their next big signing.Seagulls chiefs have made the midfield dynamo, 20, a top target despite their flurry of new arrivals.Brighton are ready to make a move for Sheffield United midfielder Ollie ArblasterCredit: RexAnd they are willing to pay at least £20million for Arblaster, who has already stood in as skipper of Chris Wilder’s side.The Blades supporter is in no rush to leave — yet his fan club is growing and an offer or two is likely in January.And a homegrown star such as Arblaster would fit in with Brighton’s  strategy because they try to find players who can improve them, but also be sold on at some point.Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Alexis Mac Allister are amongst the players to have been sold for huge profits in recent seasons.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe Seagulls’ strategy was also on display this summer with the arrivals of nine players all aged 24 or under.New boss Fabian Hurzeler has already blended them into his squad with an unbeaten start to the campaign.As for Arblaster, he has scored twice in four Championship appearances for the Blades this term, who are also yet to lose in the league.Those matches include captaining his side against Norwich and Watford in their last two fixtures.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe England under-20 international also made 12 Premier League appearances last term after breaking into the first-team.However, he was unable to save the club from relegation at the first attempt.XI amazing players worth £78m available for freeWilder’s return to Bramall Lane in December failed to save them from the drop.The Blades ended the season bottom of the Premier League on 16 points after winning just three matches during the campaign.The Seagulls are willing to pay up to £20million to sign Arblaster from the BladesCredit: Alamy More

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      Premier League clubs don’t give a s**t about little clubs… I’m frightened to death about the future, says EFL legend

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      PETERBOROUGH chief Barry Fry has slammed the Premier League for “not giving a s**t” about the little clubs.League One Posh pocketed a £4million sell-on fee from Ivan Toney’s £40m move from Brentford to Saudi club Al-Ahli last week.Barry Fry claims the Prem does ‘not giving a s**t’ about the little clubsCredit: GettyPeterborough chief Fry is ‘frightened to death’ about the future of EFL clubsCredit: GettyBut Fry, 79, Posh’s outspoken director of football, says EFL teams have just experienced the worst transfer window he has ever known.Premier League clubs splashed out a staggering £2billion in the summer, with Chelsea the biggest spenders at a whopping £208m.And that is £1bn more than Italy’s Serie A clubs, the next-highest spenders in Europe’s major leagues.But what irritates Fry the most is the way the top-flight outfits are holding back on a new funding deal for the 72 EFL clubs.Read More on FootballFry, one of the best transfer operators in the lower divisions, hit out: “I am frightened to death about the future of EFL clubs.“I’m a lover of football and unless Financial Fair Play gets sorted out, clubs are going to go under in the lower leagues.“Premier League clubs don’t give a s**t about anybody but themselves — they forget where they’ve come from half of them.”West Ham’s vice-chairman Karren Brady argued in her SunSport column last week that the “lower leagues are earning and generating more cash than ever before”.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSShe pointed out that Championship clubs enjoyed £300m in player sales business, with Sky paying out £935m to EFL football across five years.Brady also noted that under chief executive Richard Masters, the Premier League were adding £1.6bn over three years to “help the game flourish right down to park  leagues”.Top ten Premier League managers’ WagsBut Fry, who managed Birmingham City when Brady was managing director of the Blues, believes the EFL are getting a raw deal from the top-flight clubs.He added: “We have, going through the EFL right down the pyramid, the best system in the world, and it’s going to be destroyed by the Premier League.“We do not have a distribution which is fair or getting the Government to put a regulator in there to determine what  they do.“I feel that there is no way the Premier League will allow the Government to dictate to them and they are leaving it as late as possible to come up with a deal.“But it doesn’t help the clubs in the EFL, who are under enormous pressure, as this is the worst window ever in dealing with transfers for the lower leagues.“Look at the money being spent? F*** all! It’s frightening and we needed it sorted out, like yesterday!’Like a pack of cards’“It’s like a pack of cards. Once one or two clubs go to the wall, a load of them will fold.”And Fry believes the business climate is not helping club owners to cope with all the financial pressures of running a football team either.He said: “It is very, very difficult for owners because all these people are  struggling in their own businesses now.“They haven’t got the spare cash to help out their football clubs.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We have the greatest pyramid system, ever, ever in the whole world, and we should be bending over backwards to keep it and help every club up and down the country.“That’s because every club is so, so important to their community and they should be treasured.”Can you name the famous fathers? More

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      Meet Tottenham wonderkid Will Lankshear, 19, who has been compared with Harry Kane and released by bitter rivals Arsenal

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      JAMES MADDISON summed up just how much excitement there is at Tottenham over the club’s clutch of teenage talents right now.The England midfielder told assistant boss Matt Wells he “could not believe” how good they were earlier this summer.Will Lankshear scored for Tottenham against Bristol Rovers in the EFL Trophy in AugustCredit: RexLankshear was Premier League 2 player of the season last termCredit: RexLankshear chilling out on a night offCredit: https://www.instagram.com/will.lankshear/Striker Will Lankshear leads that group – which also includes 17-year-old wonderkid Mikey Moore.The centre-forward, 19, won the Premier League 2 player of the year last season and has impressed Ange Postecoglou so much in pre-season, there is a chance he could be in the first-team picture this term.HOW DO THEY PLAY AND WHO DO THEY REMIND YOU OF?AN exciting, young English striker released by Arsenal and picked up by Tottenham – where have we heard that one before?Comparisons between Harry Kane and current Spurs starlet Lankshear are not hard to draw, and not just because of their similar path across North London at academy level.Read more football newsLankshear, 19, has echoes of Kane in his physique, his willingness to improve and his predatory instincts inside the penalty box.He has even celebrated scoring goals in a similar manner to the England captain, with that little jump and fist pump, although their all-round playing style differs.It goes without saying that no one in N17 is expecting Lankshear to emulate Kane’s historic feats – that would be ridiculous and unfair pressure to put on any young player.TELL US ABOUT HIS RISELankshear began his footballing journey in the Arsenal academy along with older brother Alex Lankshear, 21 and now of Blackpool.Most read in FootballYet the Gunners made the questionable decision to let Will go in the summer of 2021 – perhaps because of a change in academy manager at the time, with Per Mertesacker arriving – just as they did all those years ago with a nine-year-old Kane.Inside Angel Gomes’ rise from Man Utd wonderkid to England starLankshear quickly shook off the disappointment and moved north to join Sheffield United.The Blades scouts had been tipped off that Arsenal were not going to offer a deal and invited Lankshear in on a trial, where he impressed with his attitude and work-rate.They agreed a scholarship contract in February 2021, with Lankshear valuing how the Yorkshire side had a track record of successfully moulding other physical centre-forwards such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin.Lankshear struck up a strong relationship with academy boss and former EFL striker Jack Lester, who regularly coached the forwards, including Daniel Jebbison and William Osula, now of Premier League pair Bournemouth and Newcastle respectively.Lankshear, 19, has echoes of Kane in his physique, his willingness to improve and his predatory instincts inside the penalty box.It was not long until he was training up with Paul Heckingbottom’s first team and it was in the Steel City where he honed his physical prowess, speed and agility.Lankshear hit a hat-trick on his Blades’ Under-18s debut in a 4-1 win over Coventry and ended up with more than 30 goals at that level.But when United encountered financial problems in the summer of 2022, they saw selling Lankshear as a chance to earn a quick return on a player that had cost them nothing.Tottenham got him in a deal that could rise to £2.5million if all clauses are met was the first time Spurs had spent big on a teenager from the EFL since prising Dele Alli from MK Dons in 2015.Lankshear was attracted to the world-class facilities at Spurs’ training ground and loved the idea of learning from record-scorer Kane, with whom he spent a season before the England captain’s move to Bayern Munich last August.Lankshear impressed for Tottenham in pre-seasonCredit: ReutersYet his first six months in N17 were spent on the sidelines after an operation on his knee.It meant that going into last season, all Lankshear was hoping for was an injury-free campaign – but he got so much more: ending up the Premier League 2 player of the season after his 21 goals and two assists in 22 games helped Spurs to the title.Tellingly about his character, Lankshear showed his team-mates with praise when interviewed in May about his gong.The youngster told Spurs’ website: “I’m proud of the goals I’ve scored but it’s all come from the team.“The quality we’ve got in this team has definitely helped me and definitely I wouldn’t have got my top goalscorer without my team-mates.”Lankshear could get more first-team opportunities this season given that there will be more fixtures – and scored in the EFL Trophy against Bristol Rovers last month.He damaged his hamstring in that match but is expected to be fit by the end of the international break.WHAT ARE THE EXPERTS SAYING?Paul Heckingbottom coached Lankshear at Sheffield United.The 47-year-old told SunSport: “He was hungry. He was just what we were all about.“Jack Lester quickly picked up on his movement in and around the box and thinking like a goalscorer which I think is his biggest attribute.The way that Ange plays, having a No9 occupying centre-backs and trying to play on the shoulder and being good in the box is a big, big thing… Will can do thatPaul Heckingbottom“When we were coaching him and putting on a session for the centre-backs, him and his movement could destroy a session. His instincts constantly caused problems as a coach and as a defender.“The way that Ange plays, having a No9 occupying centre-backs and trying to play on the shoulder and being good in the box is a big, big thing. Will can do that.“He makes good runs off the shoulder and he’s all about being alert and alive in the box and finishing chances.“I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes out on loan and see him scoring goals in the EFL.”Can you name the famous fathers?WHAT DOES THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HOLD?Dane Scarlett and Alejo Veliz were ahead in the pecking when the players returned in July but Lankshear’s energy and cameo displays off the bench saw him supersede those two, who have since been loaned respectively to Oxford and Espanyol.Lankshear, who netted six goals in pre-season, could have been farmed out too, with Birmingham boss Chris Davies – Postecoglou’s No2 last season – keen to borrow him..But with Richarlison’s continuous injury problems – and the recent setback to £65million new-boy Dominic Solanke – Spurs have decided to keep him close for the first half of the season at least. Like whizkid team-mate Moore, Lankshear will be hoping for cameos here and there when back fit. His best chance of minutes will come in the cups and in the Europa League.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 19-year-old’s ability to find space in the box and finish, which he showed in pre-season goals against Hearts and Team K League, seems a good fit for Postecoglou’s attacking approach which carves out plenty of close-range opportunities for the central striker.He would likely have the support of his team-mates too, with Lankshear understood to have felt like he’s been accepted by the senior pros in the dressing room. More

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      Forgotten Premier League champion’s Sunderland transfer ‘collapsed’ just one year after £120k-a-week contract ended

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      FORMER Liverpool star Naby Keita saw a shock move to Sunderland collapse during the transfer window, according to reports.The midfielder won seven major trophies during his five years at Anfield, including the Premier League and Champions League.Naby Keita helped Liverpool win the Premier League in 2020Credit: Times Newspapers LtdKeita left the club last year on a free transfer and joined Werder Bremen.But the 29-year-old is again on the lookout for a new side and this summer he came close to signing for Sunderland.The Guardian report that the Black Cats had a strong interest in the player but were unable to agree personal terms, which led to the deal falling through.With the Turkish transfer window still open, Keita is now set to join Istanbul Basaksehir.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHis failure to agree a contract with Sunderland comes just a year after his supposed £120,000-a-week deal expired at Liverpool.The Reds paid £48million for him in 2018, but injuries prevented him from ever establishing himself as first choice, making 129 appearances in total.Keita also had a tough time at Werder Bremen, being banned from the squad after refusing to get on the team’s bus.He was told by manager Ole Werner that he did not even make the bench against Bayer Leverkusen but still expected to travel.Most read in ChampionshipFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSKeita, who played just five times for the club and not after the incident in April, instead went home.Over the summer, the Guinea star represented his country at the Paris 2024 Olympics and was their flagbearer. Arne Slot breaks down how Liverpool destroyed Man Utd after exploiting Erik ten Hag’s new tactics More