Premier League

ANDONI IRAOLA has reportedly been lined up to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager.The Bournemouth boss has made waves since moving to the south coast in 2023 from Rayo Vallecano.Real Madrid are lining up Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola as their next managerCredit: GettyReports claim Carlo Ancelotti could leave Real this summerCredit: GettyIraola has won 31 of his 72 games in charge of the Cherries.And this season has seen them reach new heights with 12 wins and just six defeats in 25 outings.As a result, Bournemouth now sit fifth in the table just one point off the top four while boasting a positive goal difference of 15.And according to the Mail, Iraola’s efforts have not gone unnoticed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIt’s reckoned he has now made his way onto a shortlist being drawn up by Real Madrid chiefs of potential replacements for Los Blancos gaffer Ancelotti.The Italian, who won the Champions League during an earlier stint with Real, has led the Spaniards to two more European titles and two league titles since returning in 2021.Ancelotti is hoping for another double this term as Real sit joint-top of LaLiga with Barcelona, while also holding the advantage over Man City in tonight’s Champions League play-off.But reports in Spain suggest Ancelotti may retire this summer.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSAnd while the Italian has remained coy on the subject, Real are now bracing themselves for the worst by drawing up a list of suitable candidates to potentially take over this summer.Former player and Bayer Leverkusen title winner Xabi Alonso is thought to be favourite, having rejected Liverpool last summer in the reported hope of eventually moving to Real.Ronaldo reveals cult hero Real Madrid team-mate was ‘very bad’ before turning to poker Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso is another option for RealCredit: GettyBut it’s reckoned that Iraola has now worked his way onto Real’s shortlist, having impressed club chiefs with his incredible job at Bournemouth.The gaffer will have just a year left to run on his contract this summer, putting him at risk of an approach from interested clubs.Tottenham are also thought to be keeping a watch on Iraola as they mull Ange Postecoglou’s future.But after turning Bournemouth into European hopefuls, Iraola may instead fancy staying put at the Vitality Stadium to keep his project moving forwards. More

ARSENAL have been dealt a blow in their hopes of making Alexander Isak their new No9.Newcastle have no desire to sell the star and instead want to build a team around him.Alexander Isak could shatter the record for a move between two Prem clubs, set when Chelsea paid Brighton £115m for Moises Caicedo in 2023Credit: RexNeymar, now back with Santos, is the costliest player ever at £198mCredit: EPAReal Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe cost old club PSG £163m in 2018Credit: GettyAnd it would take nearly DOUBLE the reported £82.9million fee for them to even respond to any potential bids.That means the Swede would be the second costliest player ever – below Paris Saint-Germain’s £198m capture of Neymar from Barcelona in 2017 and above the £163m PSG paid Monaco for Kylian Mbappe in 2018.Isak, 25, has emerged as one of the most-coveted players on the planet since his club-record £63m arrival from Real Sociedad in 2022.He became the first Toon player since legend Alan Shearer two decades ago to hit 20 Premier League goals last term.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe is already on 17 in the top-flight this season and is also looking to achieve icon status by ending Newcastle’s 70-year major trophy drought in the Carabao Cup Final next month.However, his red-hot form on Tyneside has caught the eye of a host of clubs across the continent but it is Toon’s Prem rivals that continue to be linked the most.Arsenal are desperate for a striker with their lack of one looking set to cost them in the title race again.They have held a long-term interest and are believed to be readying a swoop for later this year.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSMeanwhile, Wembley opponents Liverpool and Chelsea would also both love to sign him.Newcastle, though, are under no pressure to sell and have the hotshot tied down to a contract believed to be worth £130,000-a-week until 2028.Arsenal post new footage of Mikel Merino goal… but supporters are more interested in what Leicester fans are doingTOP 10 COSTLIEST PLAYERS EVERPREM clubs have been involved in four of the 10 most expensive transfers of all time.1 Neymar (Barcelona to PSG, £198m, 2017)2 Kylian Mbappe (Monaco to PSG, £163m, 2018)3 Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool to Barcelona, £142m, 2018)4 Ousmane Dembele (Dortmund to Barcelona, £135.5m, 2017)5 Moises Caicedo (Brighton to Chelsea, £115m, 20236 Jude Bellingham (Dortmund to Real Madrid, £114m, 2023)7 Joao Felix (Benfica to Atletico Madrid, £112.9m, 2019)8 Enzo Fernandez (Benfica to Chelsea, £107m, 2023)9 Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid to Barcelona, £107m, 2019)10 Declan Rice (West Ham to Arsenal, £105m, 2023)Despite reports claiming that Isak wants to “make a leap forward” and that he would be allowed to leave if a “fair proposal” was received should they fail to qualify for the Champions League, their stance is quite the opposite.A figure of £82.9m was touted – but Newcastle have zero interest in making just a £20m profit on Isak.Even if they do not finish in the top five, the club have come through three tough transfer windows without any major additions in order to bolster their PSR position.And Eddie Howe is not only determined to hang on to Isak, he hopes to finally be able to bring in several new additions in order to compliment the likes of the forward, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon.Newcastle have always been relaxed over Isak’s contract situation even when preliminary talks over a new package ceased last year due to the length of his current one.Although further discussions are pencilled in once this season finishes.Speaking on the situation earlier in the campaign, Newcastle boss Howe said: “I think with Alex he’s got a long contract anyway and we have to be really careful regarding our spending due to PSR. It’s not a clear-cut situation.Toon chief Eddie Howe would love to keep IsakCredit: RexArsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to capture a world-class frontmanCredit: Getty“We of course love him and are desperate for him to stay at Newcastle for many years and score loads and loads of goals for us, but I don’t see a short-term issue with his contract.”Isak himself has also stated that he is not thinking about his future, saying in December: “Throughout my career, I have never talked about or really commented on the move rumours during the season.“There have been many such years where it has been talked about. “It doesn’t affect me. I am commenting on my situation in Newcastle, and I have never had any problem there.“I am fully focused on my task there and that we will have a fantastic season. “There are still great opportunities for that. I have no thoughts about anything else.READ MORE SUN STORIES“The only thing I can say is that a lot of information and rumours often come out. “Much of what I read is not true. So that’s about all I can say about the whole thing.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED are in advanced talks to play in a pre-season tournament in the US. But the Red Devils have only been pencilled into the line-up as their top-flight status for next season is not yet secured.Man Utd need to secure their Premier League status before their spot is confirmedCredit: RexMan Utd have been invited to feature in the Premier League Summer Series.They are set to come up against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton in the pre-season event in July.Atlanta, New Jersey and Chicago are all expected to host matches after the conclusion of the revamped Club World Cup.Man Utd will also reportedly play a separate game from the tournament while in the US.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThey also plan to head to Malaysia in a money-spinning tour that could see the club earn £7.96m, according to report.Both Bournemouth and West Ham visited the US last summer before this season got underway.The Cherries have heavy American involvement from owner Bill Foley and midfielder Tyler Adams.Meanwhile, the Hammers played in last year’s Stateside Cup against Crystal Palace and Wolves.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSThe Premier League Summer Series was cancelled last year due to complications organising the event.Several sides had already made plans for pre-season when they were invited and broadcaster NBC had their TV schedule full due to the Olympics and Copa America.Man Utd player ratings vs Tottenham: Hojlund arguably worst No9 in club’s history as Dorgu has nightmare debutThe first edition of the tournament in 2023 saw each team play three fixtures.Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Fulham and Newcastle were all involved, with the Blues lifting the cup after two wins and a draw. More

MANCHESTER UNITED may have to oversee a huge clearout and start afresh if they are relegated this season.The Red Devils have suffered their worst campaign since 1973-74 – the last time they were relegated.There could be big changes at Old Trafford if Man Utd are relegatedCredit: GettyAcademy stars like Jack Fletcher could be given a chance to impressCredit: GettyYoung players signed for big bucks like Rasmus Hojlund could stick aroundCredit: ReutersNew signing Ayden Heaven could get a chance to shineCredit: GettyAnd Rio Ferdinand thinks the drop is a real possibility as he can only see his former side getting a result in one of the 13 Prem fixtures they have left – against bottom three side Leicester.Ferdinand said: “Do you realise we’re that close? Someone said we need 11 points just to stay up.“I’ve got the fixture list: Everton away, Ipswich at home, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest away.“Before hosting Man City, and going to Newcastle away, and then Wolves, Bournemouth, Brentford, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Leicester.READ MORE ON MAN UTD“The only place I see us getting anything — and I’m not even saying a win — is Leicester. I’m not seeing wins. That’s the problem.”Relegation would likely mean a huge change at the club with high earners shipped out and young players brought in.Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton will likely leave no matter the season outcome as they are all out of contract in the summer.United could look to cash in on Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, just as they did in January, as well as the underperforming Andre Onana, which could mean a chance for Altay Bayindir.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOther big earners Casemiro, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraouri and Joshua Zirkzee would likely want to leave too, as would Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes.That would mean an entire rebuild with only a few faces remaining – stalwart Harry Maguire, Rasmus Hojlund and academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo.‘Both teams have the same problem’ says Arsene Wenger as Arsenal legend tears into old rivals Tottenham and Man Utd The Red Devils would be keen to hang onto Leny Yoro having shelled out a big fee as an investment in the youngster last summer.Amad is also a key asset and only signed a new five-year contract last month, tripling his wages in the process.Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven are new additions and long-term investments having arrived last month – part of Ineos’ transfer strategy to bring in young players with room for potential.Amorim had to name a substitutes bench consisting of all but one academy player against Tottenham on the weekend – the likes of Jack Fletcher, Jack Lee Moorhouse, and forgotten summer signing Sekou Kone could be given a chance in the Championship. More

FORMER Manchester United coach Benni McCarthy has revealed why the club signed Rasmus Hojlund over Harry Kane.Back in the summer of 2023, then-United manager Erik ten Hag made it his priority to sign a new striker.Man Utd were set on signing Harry Kane before instead going for Rasmus HojlundCredit: GettyHoljund has managed 69 FEWER goal contributions than Kane in the same number of appearancesCredit: ReutersThe Red Devils quickly became heavily linked with Kane amid ongoing doubts surrounding his future at Tottenham.However, they could not reach an agreement with Spurs and instead chose to sign Hojlund in a £72million transfer from Atalanta.Just days later, Kane completed a stunning £104m move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.Since joining Bayern, the England captain has scored 73 goals and provided 22 assists in 75 appearances.Read More on Man UtdMeanwhile, Hojlund has amassed just 26 goal contributions in the same number of outings.Ex-coach McCarthy, who left United in June last year, admitted the club made the wrong decision by focusing on the Dane.Speaking at the launch of Ladrokes’ Gaffer of all Accas, McCarthy said: “In the summer of 2023, Harry Kane was our No1 target.”Kane was the prime target, but obviously the price tag was an issue. Because he would have been leaving Spurs for United, a few extra million pounds were added on to the price tag, which, you know, for a 30-year-old wasn’t seen to be wise. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBenni McCarthy has revealed why United chose to sign HojlundCredit: Getty”But for £100 million, if you look at it now, you’d say that it would have been well worth it because he’s gone to Bayern and he’s still producing, he’s still scoring.”We should have just bitten the bullet and got Harry Kane and then also tried to invest in Rasmus Hojlund. That would have been the best thing for Rasmus if he had someone like Harry Kane involved.Harry Kane scores from a distance in Bayern Munich training “So yeah, Harry Kane was Erik’s No1 target. Erik really wanted him. Randal Kolo Muani was also very high on that list. Victor Osimhen was also on that list.”But I felt that if you’re going to want to spend that kind of money – £100 million plus – then you want to complete package. And Harry Kane, for me, was the complete package.”Unfortunately, the club didn’t see it that way. They looked at it as Rasmus Hojlund, in the long run, would be a more prized asset than investing in both Rasmus and Harry Kane.”So we stopped pursuing Kane, and we ended up getting just Rasmus.”Man Utd currently sit 15th in the Premier League table with just 27 points from 25 games. More