Premier League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Arsenal lining up ‘unprecedented’ summer spending spree with Alexander Isak top target and lengthy shortlist

      by

      ARSENAL are gearing up for an unprecedented summer spending spree after signing ZERO players in January.And Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is the name at the top of Mikel Arteta’s lengthy wanted list.Alexander Isak is understood to be Arsenal’s top targetArsenal fans aren’t exactly happy that the club failed to bring in reinforcements last month – Arteta expressed his disappointment too before taking his team out to Dubai for some TLC.Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final exit to Newcastle will serve only to strengthen the fans’ view that the window was a huge letdown.Fans and pundits alike have been belting: “Arsenal need a striker!” for some time now.Injuries to star boy Bukayo Saka (hamstring), goalscorer Gabriel Jesus (knee) and now seemingly Gabriel Martinelli have only compounded that assertion. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe Gunners have just one fit centre-forward in ex-Chelsea man Kai Havertz, 25, having decided to stick with what they have instead of bringing in a body to bolster the team.Arsenal did try to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa but had a £45m bid rejected after the Villans sold Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr for £70m.With all that said, Arteta’s quiet January should result in a summer of hefty spending.The foundations are in place but there is an understanding the next window is “critical” to firing the club towards trophies, reports The Mail.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSArsenal are at risk of finishing second best in the Prem for the third successive year after Liverpool’s incredible season replaced the dominance of Manchester City.But the Gunners also have their eyes on winning the Champions League for the first time in their history.Mikel Arteta looks ahead to Arsenal’s clash with Newcastle in Carabao Cup semi-final second leg Achieving that goal requires investment. Having kept their purses closed in January, there will be a spending spree before next season.But the big money will be spent on a new dream ticket centre forward – ideally 25-year-old Isak.The Swede has scored 59 goals in 94 games for Newcastle since joining the Toon for a club record from Real Sociedad in 2022.Yet before Isak’s move to St James’ Park was made final, Arsenal had been chasing the striker too.But his £75million release clause was deemed a risk at the time for the then 22-year-old star.Arteta insisted the Gunners’ lack of transfer activity was NOT a “gamble” in January as the club will splash the cash in few months.Martin Zubimendi, who has a £52million release clause, looks certain to arrive from Real Sociedad in the summer.Arsenal are preparing for the expected midfield departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey, who are both out of contract in June.They will likely go all out for Red Bull Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, 21, who is valued at £60m, after registering their interest during the last two windows.Arsenal will likely go all out for Red Bull Leipzig striker Benjamin SeskoCredit: RexThe North London club will explore a move for a versatile right winger too, with Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams on the list.Meanwhile, Wolves forward Matheus Cunha was linked with a move to the Emirates in the summer.Cunha surprisingly signed a new four-and-a half-year deal to stay at Molineux on February 1 – but it does include a £62.5million release clause.Potential moves for Mathys Tel – who has since joined rivals Tottenham – and AC Milan striker Alvaro Morata were also discussed.The role of interim sporting director Jason Ayto was an intriguing backdrop to Arsenal’s January activity.READ MORE SUN STORIESAyto is effectively sitting an on-the-job interview for the permanent position after Edu’s shock departure towards the end of 2024.While fans are furious, Ayto’s considered approach is one that’s aligned with the club’s long-term strategy.Midfielder Martin Zubimendi looks set to join in the summer too More

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      From football’s poster boy to bench-warmer… Grealish now has more brand deals than goals & even keeper has more assists

      by

      THE images are iconic – a topless Jack Grealish, drenched by rain, fuelled by an almighty booze bender, riding an open-top bus and the crest of a wave.Manchester City had just won the Treble and the most expensive player ever purchased by English football’s richest club had played a major role in an historic triumph.Images of Jack Grealish celebrating Manchester City’s incredible Treble have become iconicCredit: AFPFans loved images of Grealish’s boozy open-top bus parade anticsCredit: AFPThe £100m star had played a pivotal role in City’s stunning trophy blitzCredit: GettyBut a year and a half later, what the hell has happened to Grealish?City’s Brummie wideman can barely get a game – he has played just 33 minutes of Premier League football since Christmas and has been an unused sub in four of City’s last six matches in the competition. Grealish is a creative player who has provided fewer Premier League assists (one) than goalkeeper Ederson (two) this season.And since that 2023 Treble, Grealish has had more sponsorship deals than his six top-flight goal involvements.He is a face of Gucci, of Pepsi, of Puma, of Bose audio equipment, of Airwayz drones and of Kinetica Sports nutrition.Last summer, cardboard cut-outs of Grealish adorned our supermarkets, urging us to spread Hellman’s mayonnaise on our barbecue burgers, while watching England at the Euros.Except that Grealish wasn’t there in Germany. He had been axed from Gareth Southgate’s squad, a shock late omission which prompted near-mutiny among some of his team-mates.   Grealish is a hugely popular figure with fellow players, one of those infectious personalities who illuminate a dressing-room.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSTo England supporters he has been a cult hero, with his relative lack of game time often used as a stick with which to clobber the supposedly-cautious Southgate.Commercial partners lap up the good looks and ready smile that make him a natural-born poster boy.Grealish, whose sister Hollie has cerebral palsy, frequently engages with disabled fans in person and with video messages, as well as being an ambassador for Special Olympics UK.Moment Jack Grealish needs a helping hand at hotel as he lets his hair down in Dubai after missing out on Euros squadGrealish’s sister Hollie has cerebral palsy and Jack always makes time to engage with disabled fansCredit: @JackGrealishBut Grealish has largely been reduced to a bench role so far this seasonCredit: ReutersAlso, you won’t find too many members of the media delighting in Grealish’s descent – a sitdown interview with ‘Super Jack’ is a rare pleasure. The man is honest and engaging with a wicked sense of humour.The problem is the actual football.Asked about his decision to select Brazilian winger Savinho over Grealish in the 4-1 win over West Ham last month, Pep Guardiola was almost as brutal about his player as Ruben Amorim had been about Marcus Rashford.Although, while Rashford attracted plenty of interest during the January window before joining Aston Villa on loan, the idea of a move for Grealish was never seriously mooted.A sitdown interview with ‘Super Jack’ is a rare pleasure. The man is honest and engaging with a wicked sense of humour. The problem is the actual football.After that West Ham win, Guardiola said: “Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack and that’s why I played Savinho.“Do I want the Jack that won the Treble? Yeah, I want it, but I try to be honest with myself.”They have to fight. You can say it’s unfair. Okay, if you think that, then it’s fine, but you have to prove (to me), ‘Okay, I’m going to fight with Savinho, to deserve to play in that position’, every single day, every single week and every single month.”I don’t have any doubt about the quality of Jack… I fought a lot for him to be here. “I know that he can do it because I saw him. I saw his level and I want that, every single training session and every single game.”This strongly hinted that – like Rashford at United – Grealish has not been training or preparing well enough.And since then, Grealish’s only Premier League appearance came as a sub at Ipswich, when City were already 5-0 up.Over the next five days, City will face Leyton Orient and Real Madrid.Fashionable Grealish inked a reported seven-figure deal with GucciCredit: InstagramGrealish penned a deal with Hellmans before the Euros – only to be dropped by EnglandCredit: CollectGrealish has signed more sponsorship deals than his six top-flight goal involvements since winning the TrebleCredit: SuppliedBose are another of Grealish’s sponsorship dealsCredit: BoseGrealish might get a run-out at Brisbane Road in the FA Cup on Saturday but is highly unlikely to start against the 15-time champions of Europe on Tuesday night.So what has gone wrong? Since his £100million arrival from Villa in 2021, there has often been a feeling that Guardiola has clipped Grealish’s wings, stifling his natural tendency to dribble and beat defenders, taking much of the joy out of his game.Southgate’s reluctance to start Grealish – who won 20 of his 36 caps from the bench during the former England manager’s reign – was born of the idea that the player was at his best as the main man in a limited Villa side.That he is a ‘big fish in a small pond’ player and that for England, as well as City, his influence is reduced.His reputation as a pretty-boy poser is lazy and unfair. Grealish is a fighter, who has taken more kickings than most, on and off the field.Interestingly, in three appearances as a No 10 under Lee Carsley, Grealish scored twice – doubling his international goals tally before he thanked the interim boss for “bringing back the enjoyment in an England shirt”. There is a widespread image of Grealish as a show pony, as Scotland’s Stephen O’Donnell admitted when he went public with his wind-up tactics after the goalless draw with the auld enemy at the Euros in 2021.“I was telling him how good looking he was and that I loved his calves,” said O’Donnell. “I was asking him how he got his hair like that.”Grealish engaged in ‘banter’ about his famous calves in a surreal exchange with the Shrek character Donkey on a pre-season trip to Orlando Universal Resort last summer.Grealish has another deal with boot manufacturers PumaCredit: PumaAnd has been promoting Kinetica sports nutritionCredit: SuppliedBut his reputation as a pretty-boy poser is lazy and unfair. Grealish is a fighter, who has taken more kickings than most, on and off the field.He became a father last year, will turn 30 this September and is contracted to City until 2027.With City well stocked for widemen – Savinho, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Jeremy Doku, as well as their new versatile £59million forward Omar Marmoush – it is surely time for him to seek a new challenge this summer.Grealish is too talented a footballer to warm the bench for much longer.He must rediscover the sense of adventure that made him a Treble-winner on a double-decker with a singular ability to light up a football ground. More

    • 238 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘I just cannot get my head round it’ – Jamie Redknapp baffled by embarrassing Tottenham stat in Liverpool humiliation

      by

      TOTTENHAM racked up a string of new lows in a shocking Carabao Cup exit labelled “horrendous” and a “disgrace”.Spurs failed to record a single shot on target as Liverpool’s 4-0 Anfield win booked a 4-1 victory on aggregate and a final place against Newcastle at Wembley on March 16.Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch consoles Spurs newcomer Mathys TelCredit: ReutersRodrigo Bentancur reflects on Tottenham’s 4-0 lossCredit: RexJamie Redknapp claims he’s never seen a team go out with ‘less fight’Pundits delivered their most blistering verdicts yet on Ange Postecoglou’s two-year reign.And ex-Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder Jamie Redknapp went back much further with his trip down horror-history lane.The former England ace told Sky Sports: “I cannot remember a team in my lifetime go down with less of a fight than what they did today.”Redknapp was especially stunned that Spurs couldn’t muster one effort on goal – the first time they’ve not done so under Postecoglou.READ MORE TOP FOOTBALLHe said: “I can’t get my head round them not having one shot on target in a semi-final.”Not having one shot on target in the semi-final second leg when you’re trying to change the course of your history.”(There’s) the one half-chance when Son (Heung-min) manufactures a step-over and hits the bar but even then you just felt the game had gone for them.”There’s been some lows – Palace, Everton and Ipswich this season – but that today, when you look at that scoreline, it’s just horrendous… so abject.”Most read in FootballAnge Postecoglou accepted Spurs were outclassedCredit: RexThe facts and figures for Spurs also looked woefulMo Salah smacked in a stunning penalty for rampant LiverpoolCredit: APJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSBlaming the experienced players, Redknapp also claimed: “Whenever Tottenham go into a big game they never believe that they are going to win.”Fellow Sky man Jamie Carragher was equally withering as pressure mounts on Postecoglou.How much Mathys Tel will cost Tottenham for four months revealed… with no guarantee Spurs can activate buy optionThe ex-Liverpool defender said: “It was never in doubt before the game – it was Tottenham. When will Tottenham ever win a big game?”When I look at those three Tottenham midfield players, I thought they were a disgrace, no matter who the manager is.”Spurs’ match stats were pretty much their worst of the season.They had just eight touches in the Liverpool penalty areas, whereas Arne Slot’s Prem leaders had 55 in the Tottenham area.And their meagre total of five goal attempts – all off target – was dwarfed by Liverpool’s attacking threat.The Reds created 26 attempts, including 10 on target.Postecoglou told ITV: “Tough night. Credit to Liverpool they were way too good for us tonight. This graph also shows Tottenham’s lack of penetration”We never really got to grips with the game with or without the ball. “We just allowed them to get control pretty early and it made it difficult for us to get in the game.”Both Redknapp and Carragher accepted Tottenham still have a huge list of crocks, with 10 players out.However, Redknapp stressed: “They’ve had a lot of injuries but there’s still enough players there to cause Liverpool problems.”Ex-Spurs centre-back Michael Dawson labelled his old side’s display as “really, really damaging.”Dawson added: “I thought there would be more of a fight from those players. They didn’t show any character.”Cody Gakpo’s 34th-minute opener put Liverpool in front on the night and level in the tie.And Mo Salah’s top-corner penalty early in the second period summed up their swagger as the Reds took control.Dominik Szoboszlai’s slot-in and Virgil van Dijk’s header then made the scoreline almost as embarrassing for Spurs as their display.Afterwards Van Dijk highlighted the contrast between the two teams – albeit by only talking about his own side.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Dutch defender said: “It’s about staying calm, work our socks off, try to show our quality, defend with everything we have as a team and focus on ourselves. That’s the main thing. “Don’t worry about others. That’s the only key to success this season. Let’s go for it and we’ll see.”Virgil van Dijk celebrates his classic headed goalCredit: GettyUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

    • 250 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Kind of pettiness I can relate to’ – Fans spot Van Dijk’s brutal gesture towards Richalison as Liverpool hammer Spurs

      by

      LIVERPOOL defender Virgil van Dijk left fans in stitches after tricking Tottenham forward Richarlison during Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final.With Spurs 1-0 up on aggregate going into the Anfield clash, tensions ran high from the off.Virgil van Dijk appeared to prank Richarlison during the Carabao Cup semi-finalJust three minutes into the match, Van Dijk was lucky to avoid a punishment after elbowing Richarlison.Following a check, VAR adjudged there was no violent conduct.The defender then got the better of his opponent off the ball just a few minutes later.After fouling Richarlison just outside of Tottenham’s penalty area, Van Dijk held his hand out to help the Brazilian up off the floor.Read More in FootballHowever, just as the Spurs man was about to take it, he pulled his arm away before running back into his own half.Fans were quick to react, with one person taking to X to write: “Van Dijk’s absolutely done Richarlison 😭.”Another commented: “This is the kind of pettiness I can relate to 😂.”A third said: “Just when I thought it wasn’t humanly possible to love the man more, he pulls this off. Incredible.”Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSVan Dijk was arguably lucky to avoid a red card earlier in the match for an elbow on RicharlisonCredit: ReutersWhile a fourth wrote: “The classics are still the best!”Liverpool went on to win the match 4-0 thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Van Dijk.They subsequently progressed to the Carabao Cup final with a 4-1 victory on aggregate.Sky Sports presenter praised by fans after rarely-seen move in interview with Liverpool matchwinner Darwin NunezUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League threatened with legal action over new financial rules to replace PSR

      by

      PLAYERS chiefs may take legal action against the Premier League over plans for new financial rules.The Professional Footballers’ Association has accused top-flight bosses of being in “flagrant breach” of a need to consult the players’ union.PFA chiefs may take legal action against the Premier League over plans for new financial rulesCredit: PABut the Prem insist they have regularly discussed with the PFA the move to introduce squad-cost rules (SCR) next season.The PFA fear that clubs could approve new regulations at a meeting on Thursday.A letter sent to lawyers warns the union will launch legal action if it does not receive a written undertaking to “fully consult” by 4pm on Tuesday.PFA boss Maheta Molango has already threatened legal action against Fifa over this summer’s controversial Club World Cup in America.Read More on FootballHe has instructed Nick de Marco KC to represent them in the Prem row.De Marco was the lead counsel who last year helped Leicester escape punishment for breaching financial rules. He also helped the PFA when they successfully challenged an EFL bid for a wage cap.The new disagreement threatens to derail the process of agreeing new regulations to replace the current Profit and Sustainability Rules.Under PSR, top-flight clubs are allowed to lose a maximum of £105million over three seasons.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe SCR proposals limit spending on transfers, wages and agents’ fees to a percentage of each club’s income.For clubs in Europe, the figure would be 70 per cent with an 85 per cent limit for the rest.’I played a Premier League game with a STEAK in my boot – it was almost cooked by half-time because I was sweating’In addition, regulations would include “anchoring” so the most any club can spend on player costs is capped at five times the income of the lowest-earning club.The PFA regard this as a sneaky way of introducing a wage cap.Their lawyers, Mills and Reeve, say the new regulations are “fundamentally flawed”.Prem chiefs hit back, saying: “We strongly disagree with the PFA.”Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More

    • 288 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Ruben Amorim admits he couldn’t get Marcus Rashford to buy into his Man Utd plan and it was HIS decision to loan him

      by

      RUBEN AMORIM has claimed he could not get Marcus Rashford to buy into his Manchester United plan.The England forward joined Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season on Sunday after almost two decades with his boyhood club.Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim couldn’t get Marcus Rashford to buy into his planCredit: GettyRashford fell out of favour at Man Utd after Amorim’s arrivalCredit: ReutersRashford joined Aston Villa on loan during the January transfer windowCredit: GettyMan Utd boss Amorim insists it was his decision to loan out RashfordCredit: PAUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Amorim has offered no guarantees of a way back for the 27-year-old in the summer.He said: “I couldn’t get Marcus to see the way you’re supposed to play football and to train — the way I see it.“Sometimes you have one player who is really good with one coach — and the same player with another coach is different.“The important thing is that I’m here saying it was my decision. The same with Tyrell Malacia and Antony. It was my decision, to do these loans.Read More on Man Utd“I just wish the best to Rashford and Unai Emery — and that they can ­connect because he’s a very good player.”Rashford still remains on United’s books.And if Villa do not take up a £40million option to buy him, the pair could yet be forced together again.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSAsked if the door was still open, Amorim added: “Like we said before, we are fighting for our jobs until the summer. So I am just focused on these games.Most read in Football“Thankfully Marcus is in Birmingham now with Unai, so you can take these questions to another coach. We are just focused on our players.”Ruben Amorim insists Man Utd are ‘trying everything’ to improve his squad after Crystal Palace defeat The United boss admits he has taken a risk by moving on two forwards in the winter window — while not bringing in any replacements.He said: “I look at the team and I understood my decision of changing everything in the middle of the season without new signings. It is a danger for a coach.“But since day one, with good results or bad results, I have a clear idea of what I want to do and I take these risks.“I’m not naive. This is a sport of results and we’re in a difficult situation.”Yet Amorim, who goes head to head with Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday, believes he has the backing of owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.Amorim has lost seven of his 13 Prem games in charge — and United sit in 13th place, the same position as when the Portuguese boss arrived.The former Sporting chief said: “I understand with a lot of losses, especially at home, the environment is really hard. But I feel the support of the board.Van Nistelrooy returns to Old Trafford“I’m not the slightest bit worried about that. It’s just the pain of losing — that is the hardest thing to cope with.”Amorim showed Van ­Nistelrooy the door in November even though the Dutchman’s four games in interim charge brought three wins and a draw.Old Trafford legend Van Nistelrooy had been assistant to the sacked Erik ten Hag and Amorim is not bothered by comparisons with his record.The United boss said: “It’s not awkward — I think it’s normal. He knew the team, he worked with the team.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I made some decisions that are really hard, to sometimes create problems, friction in the team.“They were better than me in training this team, so I’m trying to help them see the game the way I see, to improve performance and results.” More

    • 238 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside Marcus Rashford’s first week at Aston Villa including house hunting and insisting he train on players’ day off

      by

      MARCUS RASHFORD insisted on TRAINING on his first day-off at Aston Villa as he looks to hit the ground running at his new club.The former England striker was criticised as lazy, by his former boss Ruben Amorim who accused him of not putting enough effort into training or matches during his time at Manchester United.Marcus Rashford joined Aston Villa on loan from Manchester UnitedCredit: Instagram / avfcofficialRashford insisted on training during Villa team-matesn day offCredit: Aston VillaUnai Emery convinced Rashford to join Villa after a long phone callCredit: GettyUnlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.But SunSport can reveal Rashford has been a model pro since agreeing to join Villa on loan last Sunday.He immediately made a favourable impression on new boss Unai Emery by refusing to take two days off at the start of his first week, along with his new teammates.Instead, Rashford volunteered to come in for a punishing session on Monday when he spent time in the gym and then on the training pitch: “shaking off the cobwebs”, working with individual coaches.The 27-year-old has settled in swiftly to life at his new club and made a positive start with his new teammates, who have taken to him immediately.Read More on FootballCrucially, Rashford will NOT commute from his Manchester home and has already started the hunt for accommodation in the West Midlands, so he spends as little time in a hotel as possible.Villa insiders say the man who left Old Trafford under a cloud, has got the bit firmly between his teeth, and is ready to kickstart his career under Emery.”It must have felt very different for Marcus when he arrived at Bodymoor Heath for the first time on Sunday,” we were told.”After all, he has only known United’s Carrington Training Ground or Old Trafford since he joined United’s Academy aged seven.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”But he was keen to get to know staff and did all of his medical testing, then he went to the canteen with the club nutritionist, before having his pics taken in all three Villa kits and doing interviews with club TV.”He smiled a lot and made a positive first impression on everyone who met him. He was down to earth, seemed eager to please and was genuinely excited at the new challenge ahead.” Why Marcus Rashford could be perfect fit for Aston Villa after Man Utd transferRashford was bowled over when Emery set out his vision for him during a lengthy phone conversation at the end of last week, which convinced him Villa was the perfect move at this critical stage in his career.It was expected Rashford would hold out for a move to Euro giants Paris Saint-Germain or Barcelona, so Villa were surprised at how quickly the deal progressed once Emery spoke to the striker personally.We were told: “Marcus had other options at home and abroad. But the lure of playing in the Champions League and challenging for a European place gave us an advantage.”Unai spoke at length to him on the phone and he was incredibly detailed about what his vision was for Marcus.”He spelled out exactly what he wanted him to do and what he would never expect him to do and painted a clear picture of how he intended to get his career on an upward trajectory again.”It was a compelling conversation, there was absolutely no room for confusion, he told Marcus straight exactly what his plans were for him. It’s fair to say that phone-call sealed the deal.” More

    • 250 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Four-way tug of war for Wayne Rooney with Man Utd legend set for new job just weeks after Plymouth sacking

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Wayne Rooney has been receiving a lot of job offers just two months after his dismissal as Plymouth boss.However, Rooney, 39, is not being courted for a return to the dugout after also being sacked by Birmingham on the same year as his Pilgrims axing.Wayne Roooney has been approached by four major broadcastersCredit: PAInstead, the Man Utd record goalscorer is being chased by four major broadcasters, making him the most sought-after name in football punditry.SunSport exclusively revealed the England legend is wanted by Match of the Day.The former striker is eyeing up a lucrative move to the rejigged show following long-term presenter Gary Lineker’s departure at the end of this season.Rooney hopes to join new hosts Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates on the BBC highlights show as a rotating guest pundit.Read More on FootballThe ex-Derby boss could command up to £200,000 for the year, depending on how many appearances he makes.According to GB News, Amazon, Sky Sports and TNT Sports are also keeping tabs on the Everton hero.Amazon have emerged as a frontrunner for his signature, with discussions already underway.The same source claims the streaming service wants Rooney in time for the crunch Champions League play-off clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid – the first leg of which will be played next Tuesday.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWayne Rooney’s record-breaking careerWAYNE Rooney took the football world by storm when he made his debut for 2002 with Everton.He quickly became the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer aged 16 years and 342 days and was named the BBC’s Young Sports Personality of the Year.The striker joined Manchester United in 2004 and spent 13 years at Old Trafford. He went on to make 559 appearances for the Red Devils and scored 253 goals. To this day he is still the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.Following his spell with United, Rooney returned to Everton for a season. He also spent one-season stints with D.C. United and Derby County at the end of his career.As well as his impressive club career, Rooney is also England’s second-highest goalscorer with 53 goals in 120 appearances, behind only Harry Kane.After hanging up his boots, the England icon turned to a career in management.He took charge of Derby County in 2020 and managed to just about save the club from relegation from the Championship at the end of his first season.However, with Derby handed a 21-point deduction the following campaign, he was unable to keep them up again and subsequently left.Then came a 15-month spell in charge of MLS side D.C. United. He failed to impress during his time in Washington and parted ways with the club at the end of the 2023 regular season.Rooney was controversially handed the Birmingham job in October 2023, replacing John Eustace with the club doing well and sixth in the Championship table.However, in 15 games he suffered nine defeats and managed just two wins. He was sacked in January 2024 with Birmingham down in 20th. The club were relegated to League One at the end of the campaign.He returned to management in May with Plymouth Argyle but managed just five wins in 25 games. The United legend now finds himself out of work once again.The legendary forward would be joining the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Alan Shearer as well as presenter Gabby Logan if he signed with Amazon.The broadcaster hosts select Champions League matches and a few rounds of Premier League games over the course of a season.’Are you alright-‘ – Gary Neville stunned as Wayne Rooney admits he STILL wants to manage and reveals unusual next stepBut Rooney has also been approached by Sky Sports and TNT Sports after impressing in recent appearances.Those two are the chief broadcasters of the Premier League and would be able to offer a busier role to Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer.Meanwhile, Rooney’s wife Coleen has been inundated with offers following her stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle, where she finished as a runner-up.Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club. More