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      Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal star David Luiz ‘locked in talks over transfer to European giants’ after leaving Brazilian side

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      DAVID LUIZ is in talks to return to European football during the January transfer window.Luiz, now 37, had two trophy-laden spell with Chelsea before leaving the Premier League in 2021 after two years with Arsenal.David Luiz is holding talks regarding a move to Olympiacos, as per his agentCredit: GettyLuiz stood out during two stints at Chelsea before joining ArsenalCredit: PA:Empics SportThe versatile defender returned to his native Brazil where he spent the last three season with Rio de Janeiro giants Flamengo.However the bushy-haired centre-half is now a free agent and could be set to make a shock return to Europe.Luiz’s representative Julio Taran has confirmed he is in talks with Greek side Olympiacos.And Taran revealed that talks with reigning Conference League champions are progressing well.Read More on FootballTaran told Greek journalist Johnny Georgopoulos: “Yes, there are chances David Luiz will play for Olympiacos.”We are in contact with the Greek club.”Luiz is also close friends with Olympiacos star Rodinei, with whom he played for a year at Flamengo until the full-back moved to Greece in 2022.Taran even claimed that the right-back is “pushing” for a reunion with his former team-mate in Piraeus.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe added: “Yes, this is among the reasons [Luiz’s friendship with Rodinei].”Rodinei is like family for David Luiz. Rodinei has spoken highly about David Luiz to Olympiacos management and is pushing for his arrival.”Carragher hits back at David Luiz for title jibe after ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star said ‘it’s funny’ as he never won it Luiz experienced immense success at Chelsea where he amassed 248 appearances across two stints.The defender also won the 2017 Premier League title, two FA Cup trophies, the 2012 Champions League and two Europa League honours. More

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      Reaching a final did not save Jose Mourinho from Tottenham axe – but Ange Postecoglou’s job could depend on Wembley

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      JOSE MOURINHO is living proof that reaching a cup final will not save you as Tottenham manager.But how Ange Postecoglou could do with replicating the Portuguese’s showpiece feat to dampen any doubts over his suitability to the Spurs hotseat.Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou may find job security if he makes the Carabao Cup finalCredit: RexJose Mourinho, though, was axed by Tottenham shortly after making it to a finalCredit: GettyThe Aussie has a chance to make up for what he admits is some “very poor league form” in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool, with the first leg at home on Wednesday.If he can somehow find a way past Arne Slot’s imperious Reds over the two ties, he will be the first Spurs boss to reach a cup final since Mourinho four years ago.That feat did not prevent the Special One from a shock axing just four days before the day out at Wembley, which Tottenham lost to Manchester City.Unlike with Mourinho back then, chairman Daniel Levy is understood NOT to have lost faith with Postecoglou despite him losing half of his league games this term.Read More on FootballThere is a hope that the ex-Celtic chief will turn things around once his horrific injury list eases up.Though Postecoglou is the last person who needs reminding that Levy’s trigger-happy history proves that goodwill will not last forever if results do not improve.Reminded of Levy’s ruthless sacking of Mourinho, the 59-year-old was asked if he felt seeing off Liverpool would offer him any extra job security.Postecoglou wittily replied: “So just drop out at the semi-final, you reckon? I don’t need greater security.Most read in Football“Look, all I see is I’ve got a group of players who are giving absolutely everything they can.“I see every person at this football club pushing hard every day, whether they are involved in football or not, to try and help us through this situation. I don’t need any more than that.Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou channels his inner Gladiator as he defends his gung-ho tactics“It’s my responsibility, the results are on me. It’s my responsibility to change that. And if it doesn’t change, then, of course, I’m the one who should take whatever ramifications there are to it.“But I don’t need any more security than seeing what I see every day that the club, everyone at the club is totally supportive of what we’re trying to do, trying to help me and trying to help us get through this.“That’s all any manager needs, I’m not interested in security.”In his first season, Postecoglou downplayed the significance of winning a one-off trophy as less important to his overall goal of turning Spurs into serial contenders.That remains his perspective, but he has conceded that in this difficult second campaign winning some silverware could breathe new life – and belief – into the project he is trying to build.His side are on an awful run of just two victories in their last 11 games in all competitions, while they have lost three of a winless last five in the league at home.Major absences vs LiverpoolInjuries, illness and suspension have taken their toll, with up to ten players expected to be missing on Wednesday.As a result, Postecoglou views the possibility of his absentee-hit, knackered team making the final as on a par with winning the competition itself.He added: “We’re having a tough season. Our league form is really poor, we need to improve.“But we are in a semi-final of a competition and with the group of players we’ve got at the moment, if we can achieve something where they are in their careers, I think it does set you up really well for what we’re trying to build here. I think it does.“If we get a final and happen to win a trophy, we’ll look back on this period of where we are, a small group of players having to rise above and beyond to get there, I think that will be as worthy of the achievement as actually winning it.”Liverpool won 6-3 at Spurs in the league just 17 days ago and at one point were 5-1 up.Sticking to his tacticsIt underlines the size of the task facing Postecoglou, who will not swerve from his attacking philosophy but has taken lessons from that battering.He added: “When we did our review, we did some things really well on the night but we did some things really poorly.“It was more about moments in the game that you can’t switch off against a team of that quality.READ MORE SUN STORIES“There were learnings from it. And because it was so recent, you certainly use that as a foundation for the kind of game we need tomorrow in terms of addressing it a bit differently.”Likely line-up: Kinsky; Porro, Dragusin, Gray, Spence; Bergvall, Bentancur, Kulusevski; Johnson, Solanke, Son. More

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      Michael Owen argues back as Howard Webb reveals VAR took SEVEN SECONDS to decide Brighton penalty vs Arsenal

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      VAR took just seven seconds to check Brighton’s controversial penalty against Arsenal.The Gunners dropped two points in the title race at the Amex last weekend after William Saliba was deemed to have made head contact with Joao Pedro when going for a header in the box.Howard Webb explained why Brighton were awarded a penaltyWilliam Saliba made contact on Joao Pedro using his headBoss Mikel Arteta was seething at full time, revealing he had never seen anything like that in his entire career and claimed the VAR official Darren England took just seconds to confirm Anthony Taylor’s decision.And the Spaniard was proven right, but PGMOL chief Howard Webb insists ref Taylor made the right call, despite replays showing Saliba’s head glancing the ball.In the released transcript, England can be heard saying during his check: “Clear. Clear penalty. Head on head.”And Webb explaned: “It’s unusual. Saliba doesn’t head it. Saliba has the ball flicked onto his head and then he goes into the head of Pedro. He gets there late on Pedro, who goes down.READ MORE ON ARSENAL“It’s a late contact by someone who hasn’t played the ball himself. The ball has touched him, but he’s not played it.“When you break it down in that way, it’s a foul.”If he heads the ball first at that loose ball and there’s a collision, I have no issue with that and then there’s a collision. That’s not what happened.”Discussing the incident with Webb, Michael Owen pushed back on TV show Match Officials Mic’d Up.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe said: “If he touches the ball it has to make a difference. If he doesn’t touch the ball it’s definitely a penalty.”He gets a fair chunk of the ball.”Arsenal Invincible and cult hero reveals we’ve all been saying his name wrong for nearly 45 yearsArsenal skipper Martin Odegaard said: “None of us have seen many penalties given for situations like that before.“There is a small contact on the head there, but William touches the ball too, so it’s a weird one.” More

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      Man Utd will listen to serious transfer offers for EVERY player including trio made untouchable barely a year ago

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      MANCHESTER UNITED will reportedly listen to serious transfer offers for their ENTIRE squad – including a trio who were untouchable under former boss Erik ten Hag.The Red Devils have struggled to make progress since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover a year ago.Sir Jim Ratcliffe will listen to offers for every single player at Manchester UnitedCredit: AlamyHe is ready to raise funds and build a team for Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyUnited endured a dismal start to the current term under Ten Hag, despite the Dutchman being backed with £200million-worth of summer signings.And replacement Ruben Amorim is also struggling to get a tune out of the club’s players.Many do not fit his high-intensity 3-4-3 system.And the Guardian claims Ratcliffe is ready to back the Portuguese gaffer by making every single senior star available for sale.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWhile United are not actively looking to offload players, offers for each one will now be considered.It means the likes of Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes could be sold for the right price.While summer signings including Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Manuel Ugarte may be shown the door after just six months.It’s even suggested that Ten Hag’s untouchable trio Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo can go should suitable bids arrive.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe latter is understood to be a major target for United’s rivals Chelsea, who are already set to sign loanee Jadon Sancho for a cut-price £20million this summer.United have been hit hard by Financial Fair Play restrictions after years of heavy spending.Man Utd fans say ‘I will never hate this man’ as Lisandro Martinez’s interview after Liverpool draw goes viral Former untouchables Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo can goCredit: EPASummer signings Manuel Ugarte and Leny Yoro could also attract attentionCredit: AFPOffloading several big earns will go some way to balancing the books while allowing Amorim to bring in players better suited to his tactics.Sales of academy graduates like Mainoo, Garnacho and Marcus Rashford would also be counted as 100 per cent profit – crucial for Profit and Sustainability Rules compliance.Rashford is seen as one of the most likely exits this month, although it could only be on loan until the summer.AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund have both expressed serious interest in signing the wantaway forward.Fellow striker Joshua Zirkzee is a target for Juventus, while midfielder Casemiro continues to be monitored by teams in Saudi Arabia.Man Utd player ratings vs Liverpool By Gary Stonehouse Andre Onana – 7Saved well from Alexis Mac Allister early on and looked strong on set-pieces – could do nothing about either goal and almost stopped Mo Salah’s penalty.Another two saves right at the death helped his men earn a point.Noussair Mazraoui – 7Strong performance to help frustrate Liverpool and produced important interceptions and tackles to clear danger.Matthijs de Ligt – 7The Dutchman was another impressive member of the back three and seemed on a mission not to leave Anfield without a share of the spoils.Harry Maguire – 7Marshalled the defence well and won several big tackles and clearances.Had his day spoiled by a yellow card for what looked to a be another great challenge and then blazed over right at the death.Lisandro Martinez – 7Excellent alongside the rest of the back three and finished his strike like a seasoned striker.Diogo Dalot – 7Played on the front foot and was an attacking threat throughout but landed himself a booking for a needless and blatant foul on Mo Salah.Kobbie Mainoo – 7Great defensive and compact display as he got the better of his England rival Curtis Jones in front of Thomas Tuchel.Was only taken off after United fell behind as his manager went more offensive. Manuel Ugarte – 6Just got caught out of position and was punished for Cody Gakpo’s goal, which marred an otherwise hard-fought and disciplined display.Amad Diallo – 7Turning into a man capable of producing big moments after another crucial strike. Had messed up twice in two earlier attacks but took his goal superbly.Bruno Fernandes – 8The skipper was on top form for the Red Devils both defensively and with the ball. Led his team well and fully deserved at least a point.Rasmus Hojlund – 5Came underfire for slack marking from Fernandes early doors then blew a big chance after beating the offside trap – a chance you NEED to take at Anfield.Struggled to make much of an impact with the ball. More

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      Casemiro ‘willing to leave Man Utd this month’ with Saudi club offering £650k-a-week transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED star Casemiro could leave this month after being offered a whopping £650,000-a-week deal by a major Saudi club.United landed the midfielder from Real Madrid in 2022 following a staggering £70million deal but he has had mixed fortunes since his move to the Premier League.Al-Nassr are offering Manchester United star Casemiro a £650,000-a-week dealCredit: GettyCasemiro has told Man Utd he is ready to leave the clubCredit: RexAccording to Give Me Sport, the 32-year-old has been offered a way out of Manchester that would see him becoming one of the top five highest earners in Saudi Arabia.Al-Nassr are keeping tabs on the Brazil international, who could reunite with fellow Real legend Cristiano Ronaldo if he moves to Riyadh.Casemiro has been attracting interest from the Middle Eastern nation for quite some time amid his uncertain future at Man Utd under manager Ruben Amorim.Al-Nassr’s interest is so intense that Saudi Pro League sporting director Michael Emenalo is driving the move himself.Read More on Man UtdHowever, there has been no contact between the Saudi outfit and United so far.The defensive midfielder has a contract with the Manchester giants until 2026.And according to The Times, he has informed his club he is ready to leave.And Amorim’s side is willing to sell with a significant price cut as they rate the ex-Real star at about £25m.Most read in FootballCasemiro appears likelier to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.However, Al-Nassr want to fast-track things and seal a deal during the January transfer window.Gary Neville tells Jamie Carragher to ‘f off’ after Liverpool legend performs incredible U-turn on ‘selfish’ SalahCasemiro has struggled to impress this term despite amassing a total of 22 appearances across all competitions.United have been enduring a tumultuous campaign across all fronts as they have tumbled down to 13th place in the Premier League table. More

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      David Beckham reveals unlikely Man Utd idol and admits mum Sandra couldn’t get enough of his thighs

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      DAVID BECKHAM has revealed the highly contrasting reasons he and his mum idolized the same Manchester United legend.Becks as a kid had his eyes on his hero’s technique – while Sandra’s eyes were on the player’s thighs!David Beckham and mum Sandra, seen at Wimbledon last summer, both had their eyes fixed on the treats served up by a Man Utd legend in his pompCredit: GettyThe ex-England skipper “always waited outside” Old Trafford – to get the icon’s autograph.But when it came to watching on the pitch he regularly shared moments of awestruck wonder with his mum.The former Red Devils midfielder, 49, named ex-striker Mark Hughes as the object of his obsession.BBC Wales showed a clip of Becks as a wide-eyed child explaining to an interviewer: “I’m looking forward to seeing Mark Hughes and the stadium.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFast forward four decades, and the 49-year-old Inter Miami co-owner told the TV channel how his admiration for the Welshman, now 61, grew.Becks said: “I was always one of those little fans that used to wait outside and get Mark’s and all their autographs.”Mark did things that not many players can do.”The goalkeeper would kick it 50, 60, 70 yards up and it would just stop dead on those thighs of his.”Most read in FootballMark Hughes impressed Becks with his control and big-game scoringCredit: RexFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnd it’s that memory that caused Beckham’s eyes to sparkle – as he a wider family interest in Hughes’ attributes sprung to his mind.The ex-Real Madrid star burst into a smile as he added: “My mum loved his thighs!”How Luke Littler celebrated incredible World Darts Championship win as he beams at message from hero David BeckhamFormer Barcelona and Chelsea ace Hughes spent 13 years with United over two spells, also playing for and managing his country.But his seventh and last stint so far as a club boss ended with Bradford sacking him in October 2023.However, Beckham is clear why Hughes was and still is an icon with United supporters.He said: “He was one of those players that always scored great goals in big games. That’s why Mark was so special. “There’s certain players that played for United over the years that set the tone of the club. We were able to learn from players like Mark.”In fact, the occasion Alex Ferguson first handed Becks the shirt number Hughes had worn remains an electric memory.The one-time PSG wideman said: “The boss turned round to me and he said, ‘Son you’re going to wear No 10 this year’. And I was like, ‘That’s Mark’s number!'”Becks spoke on Hughes for a BBC Wales ‘Legends of Welsh Sport’ showCredit: Getty More

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      How Elon Musk stacks up in the Premier League owners’ rich list as Tesla chief’s dad reveals he wants to buy Liverpool

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      ELON MUSK’S dad claims the eccentric billionaire is looking to buy Premier League leaders Liverpool.The South African tech genius has shown he has the golden touch when it comes to business.Tech billionaire Elon Musk is looking to buy Premier League leaders LiverpoolCredit: GettyDad Errol Musk claims his son could branch into football for his latest ventureCredit: AFPAnd Errol Musk claims his son could now branch out into football after helping Donald Trump soar to the American presidency.Should Musk take charge at Anfield, Liverpool certainly wouldn’t be short of cash.The Tesla entrepreneur and X owner is worth a staggering £339BILLION.But where would that figure put him in terms of wealth against the Premier League’s richest?READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd what does the current top 10 in England’s top flight look like?Here, SunSport lifts the lid on the league’s money men…Current Liverpool owner John Henry has just a fraction of Musk’s wealthCredit: PA10. Liverpool, John Henry: £4.2bnJohn W Henry is Liverpool’s current owner and heads up the Fenway Sports Group that runs the Merseyside club as well as the Boston Red Sox.Henry grew up as the son of soya bean farmers and used that expertise to get into business and went on to become a multi-billionaire.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSTodd Boehly is still yet to taste success at ChelseaCredit: Getty9. Chelsea, Todd Boehly: £5bnBoehly is the face of the new era at Stamford Bridge after fronting the £4.25bn takeover of Chelsea in May 2022.The American oversaw a staggering £1bn worth of spending in just three transfer windows in West London.Inside Elon Musk’s shock Liverpool takeover plot and how fans will be likely to reactJoe Lewis has been in the business world for yearsCredit: Getty8. Tottenham, Joe Lewis: £5bnJoe Lewis first got into business through helping at his dad’s London catering company before selling it off and delving into currency trading.He is now worth around £5bn and invests in many companies, including the ENIC Group, co-owned by Daniel Levy who is worth £500m, that has full possession of Spurs.Josh Harris has teams in many different sportsCredit: Alamy7. Crystal Palace, Josh Harris: £5.7bnHarris may only have 18 per cent of Crystal Palace but the American owner of Apollo Global Management is a big-time player.He has teams in the NBA, NHL and NFL on top of his involvement in a motorsport racing side.Nassef Sawiris has been at Aston Villa for seven yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty6. Aston Villa, Nassef Sawiris: £5.8bnNassef Sawiris invested in Aston Villa in 2018 following their play-off defeat to Fulham.He is the youngest of Egyptian billionaire Onsi Sawiris’ three sons – with his dad launching the Orascom engineering and construction conglomerate.Shahid Khan and son Tony run the show at FulhamCredit: Getty5. Fulham, Shahid Khan: £9.7bnLike Kroenke, Shahid Khan has plenty of interest in American sports as the owner of NFL side Jacksonville Jaguars.He also co-owns All Elite Wrestling with son Tony.Stan Kroenke has been at Arsenal for many yearsCredit: Getty4. Arsenal, Stan Kroenke: £12bnWeighing in fourth is Arsenal boss Stan Kroenke at £12bn.The Gunners chief made his money through real estate development, particularly shopping centres and apartment buildings.Sheikh Mansour has helped City win plenty of trophiesCredit: Alamy3. Man City, Sheikh Mansour: £17bnSheikh Mansour purchased the club in September 2008 and has transformed them into a trophy-winning machine, culminating in the 2022-23 Treble.Mansour comes from the royal family in the United Arab Emirates and is both vice president and deputy prime minister of the gulf state.Sir Jim Ratcliffe is struggling to make Man Utd clickCredit: AFP2. Man Utd, Sir Jim Ratcliffe: £29.7bnSir Jim successfully obtained 25 per cent of Manchester United just over a year ago.The lifelong supporter made his billions through his petrochemicals company Ineos, which has delved into sport to buy stakes in Ligue 1 side Nice, Lausanne in Switzerland and F1 team Mercedes.Musk will be second on the list if he takes over at LiverpoolCredit: Getty2. Liverpool, Elon Musk: £339bnThe outspoken entrepreneur’s net worth fluctuates on the value of his companies Tesla and SpaceX but he’s currently the world’s richest man.He also owns Twitter and more recently has become a political player after cosying up to President elect Donald Trump.READ MORE SUN STORIESCrown Prince Mohammed bin Salman heads Saudi Arabia’s PIFCredit: AFP1. Newcastle, Saudi Arabia PIF: £538bnFar and away at the top of the pile is the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.The PIF invests on behalf of the country’s government and therefore has astronomical cash reserves, with a latest estimate of around £538bn. More

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      ‘We could feel our oxygen running out’ – New Chelsea signing reveals terrifying lift ordeal left him fearing death

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      CHELSEA keeper Mike Penders has revealed he feared choking to death … after being trapped in a lift with five team-mates.The Blues paid KRC Genk £17million for the Belgium Under-19 captain last August.Chelsea goalie Mike Penders was trapped in a lift with teammatesCredit: GettyPenders rejoined the Pro League club on loan and is due to begin his Stamford Bridge career next summer after penning a deal until 2032.But the 19-year-old underwent a terrifying ordeal during Genk’s midwinter training camp in Spain.He recalled: “The camp was very positive.  We trained well, and there was a great atmosphere.”But we had quite an experience.  Six of us got into a lift that was supposed to hold up to eight people.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But it behaved very strangely, and went just a foot before coming to a stop with a jolt.  At first we had a laugh about it.”But the banter dried up once it became clear that we could not get the doors to open.”It became warmer and warmer inside the lift, and we could feel our oxygen supplies running out.  It made us think about what could happen.”We were able to get Wifi reception off and on, so I quickly began surfing on my phone.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”It turned out that we could still survive for five more hours, so that there was no need for us to panic.”Meanwhile we managed to get hold of other team-mates and club staff members.Chelsea Player Ratings”In the end, after three quarters of an hour, someone from the hotel was able to use a special key to release us.”Penders also revealed Blues boss Enzo Maresca is keeping tabs on his progress.He added: “Chelsea are following my performances for Genk closely.”Their head goalkeeping coach often gets in contact with me, and we’ll discuss the videos he was watched of my games.” More