More stories

  • in

    Man Utd’s Rasmus Hojlund transfer DELAYED as likely new announcement date is revealed

    MANCHESTER UNITED have DELAYED the announcement of signing Rasmus Hojlund. The striker was spotted arriving in England ready to complete his move to United.
    Rasmus Hojlund has agreed a move to Man UtdCredit: Getty
    It will see Hojlund join the Red Devils for £72million from Atalanta, with the deal expected to be announced imminently.
    But according to the Manchester Evening News, the confirmation could come in another three days instead.
    It is claimed Hojlund arrived later than planned on Tuesday and United’s schedule surrounding the Dane’s signing changed as a consequence.
    He flew into Manchester Airport at 4.15pm and was due to meet some supporters and conduct activities around his signing today.
    READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
    But that was cancelled as United chose to focus on his medical.
    The club may now look to make the announcement on the weekend around the home friendly against Lens at 12.45pm on Saturday. 
    MORE TO FOLLOW
    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

  • in

    Liverpool blow as summer transfer Alexis Mac Allister hobbles off injured in pre-season clash against Bayern Munich

    ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER was forced off with an injury midway through Liverpool’s pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich on Wednesday.Just moments before half time, with the score level at 2-2, the midfielder went down with discomfort after clashing knees with Bayern’s Konrad Laimer.
    Liverpool have been handed a huge injury blowCredit: Reuters
    Mac Allister was forced off with an injury during Wednesday’s match against BayernCredit: CBS Sports
    He was quickly able to get back to his feet before hobbling off the pitch, but Jurgen Klopp made the decision to substitute him as a precaution.
    Liverpool went on to lose the game 4-3 despite leading for the majority of the first half.
    Cody Gakpo opened the scoring after just two minutes before Virgil van Dijk doubled the advantage.
    However, goals from Serge Gnabry and Leroy Sane levelled the score just before half time.
    Read More on Football
    Luiz Diaz then fired the Reds ahead again 20 minutes after the break, but Josip Stansic and Frans Kratzig helped Bayern Munich to a late win.
    Liverpool’s defeat was further dampened by the injury to Mac Allister, who joined the club in June.
    The midfielder made the £55million move from Brighton to Anfield when the 2022-23 season concluded.
    He signed a five-year deal upon his arrival.
    Most read in Football

    DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Some fans are now concerned that he could miss the start of the Premier League season, which kicks off next week.
    One person tweeted: “Mac Allister better not be injured, our midfield options are limited enough as it is.”
    While another added: “Hopefully just a dead leg.”
    Despite the concerns, Klopp played down the injury after the match.
    He said: “So firstly I got the information that it’s too painful, so that was then clear that we will change. There’s no need to push him through.
    “When I spoke afterwards, he said, ‘No, no, I would have been fine.’ But we didn’t want to go [with] any risks. It’s just knee on knee, bruise, that’s it. It was fine.”
    The Reds are still on the hunt for midfield reinforcements ahead of their opening league match against Chelsea on August 13.
    They have already had a £37m bid for Romeo Lavia rejected by Southampton, but club chiefs are now preparing a second offer.
    Midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both left Anfield last week to join Saudi Pro League clubs Al-Ettifaq and Al-Ittihad respectively. More

  • in

    Every Premier League kit ranked ahead of 2023-24 season but does Arsenal’s ‘stunning’ new third kit see them claim No1?

    THE Premier League returns next weekend with plenty of great goals, superb skills and VAR outrage guaranteed.But the new kick-off also gives many fans their first chance to see the new kits for the season in action.
    Manchester United and Arsenal’s new adidas kits hit the headlinesCredit: The Mega Agency
    Chelsea do not have a sponsor on the front of their new simple home shirtCredit: Getty
    It has been impossible to avoid the reaction around Arsenal’s “bold” away kit.
    The bright yellow number certainly caused quite a stir… and could affect the Gunners’ ranking despite very popular home and third strips.
    Elsewhere, Fulham have hit the headlines with their topical choice while three clubs inexplicably managed to “swap” jerseys.
    And Newcastle’s away kit option has another not-so-subtle reference to their Saudi Arabian owners.
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    Some supporters were left disappointed again with far too many tremendously boring selections.
    Something tells us some of the clangers won’t be flying off the shelves of the megastores over the coming weeks.
    Strap yourselves in for a journey through all the Premier League shirts for this season – the good, the bad and the ugly.
    SunSport’s Joshua Jones ranked all 20 clubs for their 2023-24 kits.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
    Bear in mind, we have included leaked kits not officially released just yet and the rankings are based on the overall club kits so a great home shirt could be levelled out with a terrible away effort (yes, we are looking at you, Everton and Brighton).
    Anyway, here we go…
    20. Sheffield United
    It’s red and white and has stripes… not much more to say for this tame effortCredit: Getty
    Oh dear, Errea have made an error here with this dull, bland grey away kit – Sir Alex Ferguson will be having nightmaresCredit: Getty
    19. Luton Town
    Luton Town make their Premier League debut wearing this niche home kitCredit: Getty
    Unfortunately Umbro have just reversed the orange and white for the away – poor effortCredit: Luton Town
    18. Liverpool
    Some will say classic, some will say boring but nothing to shout about for Liverpool’s home kitCredit: Getty
    This away shirt with the green quarters is essentially a remake of their 2017-18 away kit – and it is not goodCredit: Rex
    This leaked third kit in purple has a strange pattern and would be better as a goalkeeper kitCredit: footyheadlines
    17. Brentford
    Similar to Sheffield United but the fade into black at the bottom lifts the designCredit: Instagram @brentfordfc
    A kaleidoscope of navy, sky blue and pink make up Brentford’s outlandish away shirt which may indeed look better in a Hollywood sci-fi movieCredit: Getty
    16. Aston Villa
    It looks like a West Ham kit but it’s actually Aston Villa’s pretty boring home kitCredit: @AVFCOfficial
    This screams Aston Villa away with the white and light blue returning – plus a new badgeCredit: Instagram @avfcofficial
    15. Chelsea
    The nod to the 1990s has gone down well with some but not at SunSport HQ – doesn’t offer muchCredit: https://www.instagram.com/chelseafc/
    This possible away kit might have looked good under the lights on European nightsCredit: footyheadlines
    Another leaked number and Nike have seemingly designed a glow-in-the-dark kit which shouldn’t see the light of dayCredit: footyheadlines
    14. Tottenham
    White with a bit of navy trim, another boring Tottenham home kit… unless you love the simple things in lifeCredit: The Mega Agency
    This potential away kit has the potential to be a classic with its retro collarCredit: footyheadlines
    What is with the obsession of grey kits this season? Not pleasant and a nightmare for colour blind fans… and FergieCredit: footyheadlines
    13. Newcastle
    A fine effort from Castore – never going to be anything too outrageous with Newcastle’s home kitCredit: https://www.instagram.com/nufc/
    The bizarre pattern is bad enough let alone the fact this is essentially the same as Saudi Arabia’s World Cup away shirtCredit: instagram @nufc
    Lots of shapes and not much class, the yellow trim looks decent enough thoughCredit: Newcastle United
    12. Nottingham Forest
    Nottingham Forest go without a sponsor for this clean-cut red home kitCredit: Rex
    The white with sky blue waves is certainly a bit different – and adidas have pulled it offCredit: Rex
    Something a bit different and fun, giving off Leeds away or DJ sound board vibesCredit: Instagram @officialnffc
    11. Everton
    Hummel have produced a really nice Everton home kit with the retro collar and sleeve trim – excellent workCredit: Getty
    And it’s completely undone by this absolute monstrosity of an away kit, deary meCredit: Getty
    10. Brighton
    Brighton always seem to nail their home kits and the 2023-24 edition is no differentCredit: Instagram @officialbhafc
    The Seagulls have had some cracking away kits recently but this green-and-black number is not one – binCredit: Getty
    9. Wolves
    Wolves have kept it simple and very effective with their gold home kitCredit: Rex
    Again, the away kit has let them down – it looks like the kind of top the manager would wear for trainingCredit: Getty
    8. Burnley
    Contrary to popular belief, this is Burnley’s kit and not Aston Villa’s – and it’s a solid effortCredit: Getty
    Bold colours and design for the Clarets’ away kit but it really does work – fair enoughCredit: Instagram @burnleyofficial
    A bit of a comedown for the third kit – spots and stripes belong in pool, not the Premier League footballCredit: Instagram @burnleyofficial
    7. West Ham
    Umbro must have misread the brief because this West Ham kit has all the hallmarks of a Burnley home numberCredit: Getty
    They more than make up for it with this belter of an away kit – the white-out crest and branding plus claret trim ooze classCredit: AFP
    6. Manchester United
    Manchester United have also opted for the lines across the design but it’s a great successCredit: Splash
    This feels like a bit of a Marmite kit and even SunSport can’t decide which side of the fence to be onCredit: Instagram @manchesterunited
    Not official yet but this third kit is gorgeous, especially with the different United badge… although traditionalists may not agreeCredit: footyheadlines
    5. Bournemouth
    Black with the thinner red stripes is a winning combination for BournemouthCredit: Instagram @afcb
    Light blue away kit complete with wavy dark blue lines – it’s very Bournemouth indeedCredit: Instagram @afcb
    Woah, where did this come from? Serious European vibes and the Cherries will be hoping it can propel them up the tableCredit: Instagram @afcb
    4. Crystal Palace
    Gone are the stripes and it’s a half-half red-and-blue complete with a silhouette of the original Crystal Palace that looks more like a Spider-Man webCredit: Instagram @cpfc
    The away kit is on to a real winner with a white block complete with a light-blue sash – the only sash in the top flight this termCredit: Instagram @cpfc
    3. Arsenal
    Adidas produce another winning home kit for Arsenal with the gold detailing a lovely additionCredit: Getty
    And here it is, the kit preventing Arsenal from taking top spot… comparisons to Lucozade bottles and highlighters are perfectly justifiedCredit: Splash
    The Gunners return to winning ways with this teal and navy design that could go down as a classicCredit: Twitter
    2. Manchester City
    Manchester City go for a neat design with no silly frills, a winning kit indeedCredit: Getty
    The Treble winners had plenty of parties last season and this belting kit feels like it could work at a disco or at WembleyCredit: Puma
    1. Fulham
    Fulham show Spurs how to do it with a phenomenal white home kit – the varying red and white shoulder stripes is a nice touchCredit: Rex
    And now the kit compared to Barbie – it is bold, it is brilliant and it secures the Cottagers top spotCredit: Instagram @fulhamfc More

  • in

    Forgotten star set to end Tottenham hell with Spurs ‘ready to take £44m transfer hit to sell flop to Galatasaray’

    TOTTENHAM are set to cut ties with midfielder Tanguy Ndombele with Galatasaray aiming to buy the forgotten star for just £11million, according to reports.The French midfielder moved to White Hart Lane back in 2019 for a then-club record £55m but has failed to live up to the price tag.
    Forgotten star Tanguy Ndombele set to go to Turkish club GalatasarayCredit: Getty
    The 26-year-old has been on loan the last two years to ex-club Lyon and Napoli where he won the Serie A title last season.
    Turkish giants Galatasaray have now emerged as a potential destination for Ndombele.
    According to The Mirror, Galatasary have made an offer but it falls a whopping £44m short of what Spurs spent four years ago on the midfielder.
    Ndombele seemed promising under Mauricio Pochettino’s management but fell out of favour and now Spurs look set to take a huge financial hit.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL
    Tottenham’s chairman Daniel Levy slammed his own club’s spending on Ndombele earlier this year.
    New Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou is understood to no longer want Ndombele at the club.
    It’s thought the 57-year-old wants to axe at least ten players in this summer’s transfer window with Ndombele almost certainly being shown the exit door.
    New recruit James Maddison has already filled the hole that Ndombele’s departure would leave.
    Most read in Football

    DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
    The ex-France international was recently allowed to feature in Tottenham’s starting XI for a training friendly, but this was most likely his last dance for Spurs.
    During his four-year spell at the North London club, he’s made 63 appearances with a return of six goals. More

  • in

    Which formation will reign supreme in Dream Team? More options than ever before this season

    UNLEASH your inner Pep Guardiola with Dream Team this season!There are no fewer than SEVEN formations available to you in Dream Team this season, allowing you to flex your tactical might to the full extent.

    CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE!

    Get funky with your tactics this seasonCredit: DREAM TEAM
    The first thing to note is that your formation will change dynamically when you’re creating your team, depending on which players you select.
    For example, if you’re looking at a classic 4-4-2 and you’ve already picked four defenders, simply select another defender to switch to a formation with five at the back – see screenshots below.
    Say you wanted to switch formation from 4-4-2 to 5-3-2Credit: DREAM TEAM
    Simply remove a midfielder, Gabriel Martinelli in this example…Credit: DREAM TEAM
    And select your desired defender (Ben Chilwell) from the player list to switch formationCredit: DREAM TEAM
    This season, you have the choice between the following seven formations:

    3-4-3 (most attacking)
    3-5-2
    4-3-3
    4-4-2
    4-5-1
    5-3-2
    5-4-1 (most defensive)

    The players you select will have a far greater impact on your fortunes than your formation but there are some important factors to consider.
    Last season was a relatively lean one for defenders compared to 2021/22 so it may be smart to start with just three defenders.
    Results are harder to predict at the start of the campaign when teams return from their summer breaks with new-look squads and, in some cases, new head coaches.
    Relying heavily on clean sheets during this time of uncertainty is fraught with danger.
    However, there are times when maximising your defensive assets is the best possible strategy.
    Dream Team bosses should know when to go all-in on defendersCredit: GETTY
    When you activate the Park the Bus Booster, all your defenders will have their points doubled throughout the upcoming Gameweek, essentially giving your several extra captains.
    Clearly it would smart to employ either the 5-4-1 or 5-3-2 formation in conjunction with Park the Bus to maximise the number of players eligible for double points.
    Dream Team’s scoring system has been revolutionised this season and one key changes will be suitable rewards for the game’s best defensive midfielders.
    Previously, the contributions of players like Declan Rice (£3.5m) and Moises Caicedo (£2.5m) were overlooked in the realm of Dream Team but with one point for every two successful tackles and bonus points determined by metrics such as interceptions, blocks and fouls won, these players should receive appropriate returns that reflect their importance to their respective teams going forward.
    A smart Dream Team selection this season?Credit: GETTY
    With this in mind, it will be interesting to see how a formation with five in midfield compares to the traditional alternatives.
    It may be the case that one or two defensive midfielders provide healthy returns while allowing enough budget elsewhere to pair Erling Haaland (£8.5m) with either Mohamed Salah (£7m) or Harry Kane (£7m) in a premium strike partnership.
    With unlimited transfers available prior to Gameweek 1, your best bet is to experiment with all the formations in an attempt to find the one best suited to your strategy.

    CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE! More

  • in

    Former Premier League maverick named a shock outsider to be next James Bond after new career as an actor

    FORMER Premier League footballer Royston Drenthe has bizarrely been named a shock outsider to be the next James Bond.The Dutchman hung up his boots last year aged 35, 11 years after his spell in the Prem with Everton.
    Royston Drenthe played for Everton in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    The race to succeed Daniel Craig as 007 is hotting upCredit: PA
    Now 36, Drenthe is turning his attention to acting.
    He has already appeared as a gangster in hit Dutch crime drama Mocro Maffia in 2021.
    And according to GB News, he has entered the betting to be the next James Bond at a 500/1 long shot.
    With Daniel Craig having appeared in his last Bond film, the race to be his successor is hotting up.
    Read More Football Stories
    Damson Idris has emerged as favourite to land the coveted gig.
    While Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Rege-Jean Page make up the top three in the betting.
    On his acting ambitions, Drenthe told Ladbrokes Fanzone: “A lot has been made about my ‘rap career’, but in truth that’s just something I wanted to try out; I was never serious about pursuing a career in it.
    “I did, however, always used to tell my mother that I wanted to be an actor one day; that was something I was very serious about. Aside from football, it was another dream of mine.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    “I’m the kind of person who is happy to give anything a go, and so I didn’t have a problem putting my name forward for a casting call for ‘Mocro Maffia’, a crime drama in the Netherlands. I can remember speaking to my agent about it: ‘What are you doing?!’
    “But I wanted to give it a go; I asked him to let them know I was interested and shortly after I was sent a script and told I had three weeks to prepare for my audition. 
    “Like I said, I was always keen to try out, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t nervous – of course I was. This was my first time trying anything like this; I wasn’t going into it with any experience whatsoever.”
    On being the next 007, he added: “”I know Daniel Craig is giving up the role of James Bond soon… is that the next job for me? I’d have to work on my English a little more, I think!”

    Drenthe played for Real Madrid between 2007 and 2012, winning a host of trophies along the way.
    He spent the final season of his time at Santiago Bernabeu on loan at Everton in the Premier League.
    The wide man made 27 appearances for the Goodison club, scoring four times and laying on seven assists.
    Drenthe also played in England for Reading and Sheffield Wednesday.
    During his career, Drenthe loved to party.
    But since his retirement he has become a health worker.
    Read More on The Sun
    He told Portuguese outlet NOS: “My entire family has always been in care.
    “Aunt Helen is a nurse. My mother and aunt work in healthcare. A few years ago I already thought: “Why don’t I also do training and courses and see what that does to me?”” More

  • in

    Arsenal and Liverpool in transfer ‘auction’ for £50m-rated Frankfurt star Jesper Lindstrom with both clubs in talks

    ARSENAL and Liverpool are set to go head to head in a transfer battle for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Jesper Lindstrom.An “auction” for the Dane could see his initial price tag of around £35million soar to close to £50m, according to Sport Witness.
    Jesper Lindstrom is wanted by Arsenal and LiverpoolCredit: Getty
    The 23-year-old began his career at Brondby before moving to the Bundesliga club after two spectacular seasons for the Danes.
    Last season was his first full one at Frankfurt and saw him chip in with seven goals in 27 appearances.
    Arsenal and Liverpool are both said to have “been in contact” following his impressive start with the Bundesliga side.
    A bidding war is now expected with Newcastle and Tottenham said to be interested too.
    Read More Football
    Inter Milan and Juventus are also said to be aiming to lure the midfielder to Serie A, reports claims.
    Frankfurt are “planning for the sale” of the Dane, who has ten caps and one international goal, and should make a healthy profit on the £5m they paid Brondby for him in 2021.
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    Mikel Arteta is looking to continue his summer splurge after splashing out £200m on Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber.
    Meanwhile, Anfield has welcomed midfielders Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai already, with Southampton’s Romeo Lavia also being identified as a top target.
    Most read in Football
    Jurgen Klopp still wants to bolster his midfield ranks after the departures of captain Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho.

    DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE More

  • in

    I was Sam Allardyce’s assistant when he told us he was better than Pep Guardiola – we were in stitches

    SAM ALLARDYCE’S assistants were left stunned when he claimed to be better than Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp, admits Karl Robinson.The 68-year-old took charge of Leeds for their final four games last season.
    Sam Allardyce made a bold claim in his first Leeds press conferenceCredit: PA
    The 68-year-old was joined at Elland Road by Karl Robinson, rightCredit: PA
    He was joined at Elland Road by coaches Robinson and Robbie Keane.
    At his first press conference, Allardyce raised eyebrows by proclaiming: “I might be 68 and old, but there’s nobody ahead of me in football terms. Not Pep, not Klopp, not [Mikel] Arteta.
    “It’s all there with me. They do what they do, I do what I do. In terms of knowledge and depth of knowledge, I’m up there with them.
    “I’m not saying I’m better than them, but certainly as good as they are.”
    Read More Football Stories
    Appearing on the ‘I Had Trials Once’ podcast, Robinson lifted the lid on what really happened.
    The former Oxford and Charlton boss said: “He [Allardyce] turned round me to me and said, ‘I need to do something here, I need to create a bit of a smokescreen. The players look nervous, they can’t deal with the pressure’.
    “I said. ‘just make up something, just throw something out there’. He said, ‘I f****** will’.”
    “I’m in his office with Keano [Robbie Keane] and we’re just sat there having a coffee. He [Allardcyce] stormed in with his massive big smile on his big head and just went, ‘I’ve only ‘f****** said I’m better than Pep and Klopp haven’t I’. We all went “what!”.
    Most read in Football

    DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE
    “The press officer then walked in afterwards. He’s giving it and [Allardyce] said, ‘let’s see how many bites I get on that one’”
    Allardyce’s mind games didn’t do much, with Leeds picking up just one point from his four matches in charge.

    Their final day 4-1 home defeat to Tottenham consigned them to relegation – with Big Sam not having his contract renewed.
    Leeds have subsequently appointed former Norwich boss Daniel Farke on a four-year contract.
    They kick-off their Championship campaign on Sunday by hosting Cardiff City at Elland Road.
    Allardyce claimed to be as good as Pep GuardiolaCredit: Getty More