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      Forgotten Chelsea wonderkid whose move landed Blues with transfer ban set to continue career in IRAN at 33

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      FORMER Chelsea wonderkid Gael Kakuta is set to become football’s new Prince of Persia… by joining a club in IRAN.The Blues landed a fine and transfer ban when signing the French-born winger from Lens in 2007.Gael Kakuta of DR Congo during the CAF Africa Cup of NationsCredit: GettyOnce dubbed the most gifted player of his generation, he spent eight years at Stamford Bridge.Kakuta, 33, also had loan spells with Fulham and Bolton.The DR Congo international is under contract with French Ligue 2 side Amiens until 2026.But Kakuta is now reportedly poised to sign a two-year deal with top Iranian club Esteghlal.READ MORE IN football They have opened talks with the Lille-born ace, and he is thought keen to swap his third spell with modest Amiens for a move to Tehran.Football is hugely popular in Iran, with the national team regularly qualifying for World Cup finals.Esteghlal finished runners-up in the Persian Pro League last season, and have been national champions nine times.Nicknamed the Blue Boys, they play at the 78,000-capacity Azadi Stadium.Most read in FootballKakuta made 16 senior Chelsea appearancesCredit: Graham Hughes – The TimesCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSChelsea pre-season tour squad and notable absenteesGoalkeepers: Robert SanchezMarcus BettinelliEddie BeachLucas BergstromDefenders: Reece JamesMalo GustoJosh AcheampongWesley FofanaAxel DisasiTosin AdarabioyoBenoit BadiashileLevi ColwillBen ChilwellRenato VeigaMidfielders: Carney ChukwuemekaRomeo LaviaLesley UgochukwuKiernan Dewsbury-HallAndrey SantosForwards: Nicolas JacksonChristopher NkunkuRaheem SterlingMykhailo MudrykNoni MaduekeArmando BrojaTyrique GeorgeMarc GuiuAngeloNotable absentees: (Internationals)Cole PalmerConor Gallagher Enzo FernandezMarc Cucurella(Left out ahead of possible loan/sale)Romelu LukakuOmari Kellyman Alfie Gilchrist Bashir Humphreys Cesare Casadei David Datro Fofana Deivid WashingtonDjordje PetrovicEsteghal would be the THIRTEENTH different club of Kakuta’s nomadic career.The 73-cap France youth international has played in Holland, Italy, Spain and China as well as his birth country and England.He made 16 senior Chelsea appearances, and also played handfuls of top-flight games for Fulham and Bolton.Chelsea’s top summer transfer targets More

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      Premier League winner and ex-Cristiano Ronaldo team-mate in shock talks for debut boxing fight

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      MISFITS BOXING are in talks with a Premier League title winner and former team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo over a shock fight.YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI and music mogul Mams Taylor co-founded the platform as a home to celeb-style crossover bouts.Patrice Evra, Cristiano Ronaldo, Danny Simpson and Paul Scholes celebrate in 2007Credit: GettyAnd promoter Taylor has talked up the possibility of welcoming footballers into the Misfits scene.Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney admitted he was even in talks to do so – before turning it down to focus on management. But SunSport understands Danny Simpson – who played with Rooney and Ronaldo at United – is negotiating a fight with Misfits. Simpson, 37, is eager to cross over to the ring despite never actually announcing his retirement from football. READ MORE IN boxing As of last year, he was training with non-league Macclesfield while also returning to United to work on his coaching badges. He is a regular on MUTV having come through their academy before spending four years there as a professional between 2006–2010.In that period under the great Sir Alex Ferguson, the full-back only made eight appearances and spent time out on loan.But Simpson was part of the famous Leicester side that beat 5,000-1 odds to win the Premier League title in 2016.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe defender was playing for Bristol City until his contract was ripped up by mutual consent in March 2022. Misfits have had stars from the social media, MMA and boxing world compete on their shows. I walked away from pro MMA career to become Conor McGregor’s photographer… now he’s helping me make Misfits Boxing debutAnd Simpson would not be the first to trade the pitch for the ring.Curtis Woodhouse played in the Prem but switched to boxing in 2006 despite having no amateur background. He had 31 pro bouts – even winning the English and British light-welterweight titles – while playing football part-time. Woodhouse’s last fight was in 2017 beating renowned and celebrated journeyman Lewis van Poetsch. Leon McKenzie was another to have played in the English top-flight for the likes of Crystal Palace and Norwich. McKenzie is the son of British and European title holder Clinton and nephew of three-time world champ Duke.So after his playing days stopped in 2013, he also moved into boxing making his super-middleweight debut that year. McKenzie amassed a record of eight wins, two losses and one draw before hanging up the gloves in 2017 aged 39. Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing currently have former Accrington Stanley midfielder Paddy Lacey signed. Lacey still plays for Welsh top-tier side Flint Town United but is 10-0 as a middleweight boxer. Despite the successful switches – it does not work out for everyone.Rio Ferdinand infamously tried to turn pro aged 39 but was denied a British Boxing Board of Control licence in 2018.Ferdinand’s former team-mates Wes Brown and Simpson both train at the same Punchline Boxing Gym in Macclesfield. READ MORE SUN STORIESSimpson has been in boxing training as far back as 2020 with an eye now on a debut bout.The player’s reps and Misfits Boxing have been contacted for comment. Danny Simpson in the boxing gym training More

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      Ben Chilwell ‘leads shock Chelsea transfer list with future of England star and fellow key man far from certain’

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      BEN CHILWELL could be among Chelsea’s top candidates to be sold during the summer transfer window.The Blues are planning a significant clearout following two years under Todd Boehly’s ownership, which has already seen them splashing over £1billion on transfers alone.Chelsea star Ben Chilwell could be on his way out of Stamford BridgeCredit: GettyChelsea’s starting goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic could also leaveCredit: AlamyAccording to The Athletic, the West Londoners are set to offload a number of players, including a few key man from last season.The report claims the compatibility of Chilwell, 27, with new manager Enzo Maresca’s style is “less than clear”.The full-back is one of Chelsea’s highest earners and the club could be open to selling him if the price is right.However, the England international’s injury record could have a negative effect in the transfer market.Read More on ChelseaDjordje Petrovic, meanwhile, appears an even more likely candidate to be sold, despite playing as Chelsea’s No1 last season under former boss Mauricio Pochettino.There are doubts about Petrovic’s ability to play in the way Maresca demands, and his impressive performances last term have club chiefs believing they could make a profit this summer.Conor Gallagher’s situation continues to be unclear as there is an equal chance of a departure and a contract renewal.Gallagher has 12 months left on his contract and is expected to join the team for the pre-season tour in the US while various Premier League clubs continue to monitor his situation.Most read in FootballKepa Arrizabalaga could be on his way out after an unsuccessful loan stint at Real Madrid as Al-Ittihad continue to hold talks after having an opening bid rejected.Chelsea are also expecting to receive good news from Napoli, with the Italians seeing Romelu Lukaku as a potential replacement for Victor Osimhen.Chelsea stars board flight to California for pre-season tour of USAnd Lens have expressed interest in Malang Sarr during the summer transfer window.Chelsea would only consider permanent deals for Kepa, Lukaku and Sarr due to their sizeable wages.Lesley Ugochukwu, Harvey Vale and Leo Castledine have all been earmarked for loan moves.Trevoh Chalobah, who was left out of the pre-season squad, Armando Broja, Cesare Casadei and David Datro Fofana could all be sold if acceptable offers arrive. More

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      David de Gea, 33, ‘ready to rejoin Man Utd when Erik ten Hag leaves with major update on future expected this week’

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      DAVID DE GEA was ready to re-join Manchester United if Erik ten Hag left, but is now set to join another club, according to reports.The Spanish goalkeeper is gearing up for a return to the pitch after taking a year-long break in the wake of his United release last summer.David de Gea said he was ready to rejoin Man Utd when Erik ten Hag leavesCredit: AFPThe shot-stopper left Old Trafford when his contract expired after the 2022/23 campaign, bringing to an end a 12-year stay at Old Trafford.De Gea – a United and Premier League icon – didn’t receive the send-off he deserved as his future wasn’t clear while the season was ongoing.The Spaniard was upset with those he held responsible for his departure.Namely manager Erik ten Hag and the club’s then-football director John Murtough.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSDe Gea even told his inner circle that he would be happy to return to United if those two figures were no longer there, according to The Athletic.But Ten Hag will remain manager for a third season after INEOS concluded their month-long search for potential successors.Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s group oversaw the exit of Murtough, who has since been replaced by Newcastle United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth.Murtough is one of several high-ranking executives to have departed Old Trafford, including chief executive Richard Arnold.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOmar Berrada left Manchester City to replace Arnold, while Jason Wilcox has been appointed technical director and Christopher Vivell is United’s new director of global talent.While De Gea is set to announce his new club shortly, he is highly unlikely to return to Old Trafford even after Murtough’s exit.Ex-Man Utd star David De Gea shows he’s still got it and hints at transfer as fans say he ‘could have saved the Titanic’ He trains three to four times a week with a goalkeeping coach recommended by Richard Hartis, who held that role at United until last week.The Spaniard teased an announcement on Saturday when he tweeted an hourglass emoji, although there was no more information on the social media post.De Gea has a string of options available to him, including clubs in Saudi Arabia, America and Italy, reports The Athletic.His preferred option in the United States would be on the West Coast, but there is a chance he will stay in Europe. De Gea made 545 appearances for United, placing him seventh on their all-time list. More

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      Ryan Reynolds tells Liverpool star Mo Salah to ‘think about’ stunning Wrexham transfer in brilliant video

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      RYAN REYNOLDS has made a humorous transfer plea to Mo Salah asking him to join Wrexham.The Hollywood actor has led the Red Dragons to League One after two promotions alongside co-owner Rob McElhenney.Ryan Reynolds made a humorous transfer plea to Mo SalahCredit: Premier LeagueSalah has one year remaining on his Liverpool contractCredit: AlamyReynolds has his sights set on the Premier League but has already turned the club into a global phenomenon thanks to the documentary series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’.He is currently promoting his latest movie Deadpool & Wolverine alongside co-star Hugh Jackman and the pair were interviewed by the Premier League.They were asked about Salah and Jackman offered plenty of praise in response, applauding his professionalism and longevity.Reynolds then cut in and looked directly down the camera as he made a plea to the Egyptian.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe said: “Mo you would be warmly embraced at the Racecourse Ground in North Wales. Think about it.”Reynolds, 47, has had a busy summer which included gatecrashing a Spanish Euro 2024 broadcast alongside McElhenney.The Wrexham owners have also entered talks with the ECB over buying Welsh Fire, who compete in The Hundred.SunSport understands have had meetings with ECB representatives and have been invited to attend matches at this summer’s competitionMost read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHow Ryan Reynolds has been watching Wrexham games in styleCO-OWNER Ryan Reynolds hasn’t been able to make it to Wrexham in recent weeks due to filming commitments.But that hasn’t stopped him from watching his team in style.Streaming the match on a laptop or even a TV was not grand enough for the Deadpool star as he worked on the set of his latest movie.With a giant green screen behind him, he could not resist broadcasting Wrexham’s recent game on to the huge projector.Reynolds and his crew watched on as the Welsh side notched their 23rd win of the season against Crawley Town.He looked enamoured as the game played on behind him while surrounding by various pieces of Hollywood machinery.And Reynolds captioned the moment: “Watching the Wrexham game at work: new level unlocked.”It’s not clear what project Reynolds was working on at the time, with the actor currently developing several new movies including sequels to smash hits Free Guy and Red Notice.The Welsh Fire would one of be cheapest of the eight teams to buy, with sources involved in the talks valuing half the franchise at around £20m.The actors are huge sports fans with investments in other franchises, including Mexican Premier League side Club Necaxa and Formula One team Alpine F1.Watch moment Ryan Reynolds is surprised by Wrexham star live on BBC Radio 1 More

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      Chelsea leave FORTY-THREE players at home as they jet off on pre-season tour with £190m of talent set for transfer exit

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      CHELSEA have left enough players to fill THREE teams behind after flying to the USA.The Blues kick off their pre-season tour against Wrexham in California on Wednesday.Chelsea have flown out to the StatesCredit: GettyFormer Leicester duo Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Ben Chilwell pose for a photoCredit: GettyRenato Veiga joined Chelsea in JulyCredit: GettyNew boss Enzo Maresca will get a good look at his squad with further fixtures planned against Celtic, Manchester City and Real Madrid.But 43 aces – excluding injured stars and internationals given an extended break – did not make the 28-man group.Many of them are unlikely to play for the Blues again as they look to offload talents they paid a combined £190million for. Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Trevoh Chalobah, Cesare Casadei, David Datro Fofana and Malang Sarr were all notable absentees.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWSBlues chiefs are desperate to offload £97.5m signing Lukaku, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Inter Milan and Roma.Chelsea have been linked with a stunning swoop for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.The rumoured move would see them send £77m, Lukaku and another player to Naples in exchange for the hotshot.Keeper Arrizabalaga was shipped out on loan to Real Madrid as cover for the injured Thibaut Courtois last season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe £72.1m signing reportedly has an offer on the table from Saudi Arabia.Academy graduate Chalobah may consider himself unlucky to see himself on the list.Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaBut Tosin Adarabioyo’s arrival has pushes him further down the pecking order.Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer are being rested after deep runs at Euro 2024 and the Copa America.Djordje Petrovic is rehabbing after suffering an injury.The rest of the absentees mainly come from Chelsea’s youth teams and would not have expected to make the cut.Chelsea’s US tour partyGoalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Marcus Bettinelli, Eddie Beach, Lucas Bergstrom.Defenders: Reece James, Malo Gusto, Josh Acheampong, Wesley Fofana, Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romeo Lavia.Midfielders: Lesley Ugochukwu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Andrey Santos.Forwards: Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Armando Broja, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Angelo.Rested: Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer.Reported injured: Petrovic   Left out:  Trevoh Chalobah, Alfie Gilchrist, Malang Sarr, Cesare Casadei, Leo Castledine, Deivid Washington, Diego Moreira, Omari Kellyman, Caleb Wiley, Tino Anjorin, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Mason Burstow, David Datro Fofana, Bashir Humphreys, Romelu Lukaku, Alex Matos, Gabriel Slonina, Harvey Vale, Dujuan Richards, Kiano Dyer, Billy Gee, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Ishe Samuels-Smith, Zak Sturge, Jimi Tauriainen, Travis Akomeah, Ato Ampah, Somto Boniface, Luke Campbell, Brodi Hughes, Harrison McMahon, Donnell McNeilly, Leo Cardoso, Max Merrick, Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Richard Olise, Samuel Rak-Sakyi, Frankie Runham, Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny, Zain Silcott-Duberry, Ronnie Stutter, Shaun Wade, Kaiden Wilson. More

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      Chelsea star Mykhailo Mudryk shows off dramatic new look as he ditches long blond locks ahead of new season

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      CHELSEA star Mykhailo Mudryk has shown off a bold new look ahead of the new season.The winger has struggled to live up to his £97million price tag since moving to Stamford Bridge 18 months ago.Mykhailo Mudryk showed off his new haircutCredit: Instagram @mmudryk10Mudryk has got rid of his trademark blond locksCredit: GettyBut he will be hoping for a fresh start under new manager Enzo Maresca after finding himself in and out of the side under Mauricio Pochettino.Mudryk, 23, is set to travel to the US for a pre-season tour along with the rest of the Chelsea squad, and he will sport a new look across the pond.That is because he has got rid of his trademark blond locks, which he often wore with a middle parting.The Ukrainian has shaved his head in a bold look, which has split opinion amongst the Chelsea fanbase.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne Blues fan reacted saying: “Mudryk buzzed his hair, he’s gonna be even more s***e. Ffs.”Another added: “Mudryk really caught off his hair… nice one… maybe he’ll score now 😂”A third said: “Mudryk took the Obi Mikel criticism about his hair too seriously 😂”Mudryk’s decision to cut his hair has come just weeks after Chelsea icon John Obi Mikel advised him to do exactly that.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSHe said: “Mudryk, he needs to get his head right, he needs to – I was going to swear – he needs to f***ing get his head right because he’s such a good player, pace, power, quick and good on the ball.”But he needs to get his act right, he needs to forget about the whole hair, whatever, the tattoos no! Play f***ing football and win games.”Watch Mykhailo Mudryk tell cameraman to film him from better angle with Chelsea fans calling flop signing ‘unreal’ More

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      Everton takeover boost as American group to make last-minute rescue mission for crisis club amid administration fears

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      AN AMERICAN consortium has joined the race to buy Everton.The Toffees suffered another blow in their bid to avoid going into administration last week as US investors The Friedkin Group’s proposed takeover collapsed.Kevin Malone is leading a group keen on buying EvertonCredit: YouTube/Come On Let’s GoEverton owner Farhad Moshiri has seen multiple takeover deals collapseCredit: GettyThey had a period of exclusivity for talks with current owner Farhad Moshiri over an £800m deal.But The Friedkin Group, who also own Roma, pulled out on Thursday due to concerns about the crisis club’s debt to 777 Partners.They had pumped in £200m to keep the club afloat – but failed in an attempt to buy Everton in June as the Premier League refused to ratify the deal. 777 Partners did not receive approval as chiefs were worried they did not have the cash to meet their obligations after backers cut ties with them and the company was hit with legal issues in the US and Europe.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut a new consortium from across the pond now want to buy Everton.They are led by former LA Dodgers general manager Kevin Malone.And the group will reportedly make an offer to Moshiri in the coming weeks after seeing initial interest knocked back due to The Friedkin Group’s exclusivity agreement.Malone’s consortium will be rivalled by British investment firm Vici Private Finance.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSunSport understands they are confident of completing a takeover in a matter of weeks.Vici Private Finance are being advised by former Everton director Keith Harris.Premier League sides deducted points and others at riskLocal businessmen and Toffees fans Andy Bell and George Downing could also return to the negotiating table.The mega-rich duo are open to waiving the millions owed to them after helping to fund the build of their new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium in exchange for a stake in the club.Meanwhile, Crystal Palace part-owner John Textor is unlikely to make another bid for Everton.Yet any buyer will need to appease Moshiri, who wants £25m up front plus £2.5m for TEN YEARS to walk away from the Merseyside team.SunSport exclusively revealed that he sees the £50m pay-off as part of any deal to sell.WHAT IS FFP?SunSport’s Martin Lipton breaks down what it is all about…FFP – or Financial Fair Play – is a concept originally introduced by Uefa in 2009, officially to prevent clubs from spending money they could not afford.Yet many critics have rounded on the system, accusing it of being a protective instrument, drafted by the so-called “legacy clubs” to prevent insurgent and wealthier clubs from buying their way onto the top table.The Premier League introduced its own FFP regulations which came into effect for the 2013-14 season and which, while less stringent than Uefa regulations, they do impact on club spending.Under the current Prem “Profitability and Sustainability” regulations, clubs who are constant members of the top flight for a three-year period are allowed total losses of £105m over those three campaigns.But it is not as simple as totting up outlay and income.The biggest outlay, of course, is transfer fees. The 20 Prem clubs spent a total of around £2.4bn in last summer’s transfer window.Yet that does not mean they “spent” that money as far as the Prem rules are concerned.Transfer fees are “amortised” over the length of the contract, so, for example, a £100m fee for a player who signs a five-year deal is amortised at a cost of £20m per season for each of those five campaigns. More