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      Arsenal looking to raid Chelsea for Andrey Santos but could miss out to PSG in transfer battle for wonderkid

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      ARSENAL are planning a shock move for Chelsea wonderkid Andrey Santos, according to reports.The 21-year-old midfielder has spent the season on loan at the Blues’ sister club Strasbourg.Andrey Santos is a shock target for Arsenal this summerCredit: GettySantos has been described as one of Ligue 1’s “big revelations” this term with ten goals and five assists in all competitions.And he has even captained the side managed by Liam Rosenior on several occasions as they make a late push for Champions League qualification.Reports from Le 10 Sport in France claim he has caught the eye of Arsenal ahead of the summer transfer window.The Gunners are said to be “hard at work” to get a deal over the line.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut PSG, who tried to sign Santos when Chelsea did in 2023, remain strong contenders.It is currently unclear what the player’s future holds amid other reports suggesting that he will be given the chance to impress Enzo Maresca in pre-season and at the Club World Cup.Chelsea signed the Brazilian from his native Vasco da Gama when he was just 18 for £18million.He is yet to make an appearance for them, having spent another year in his homeland and half a season on loan at Nottingham Forest.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSSantos managed just two games for Forest before being recalled early.But his form since for Strasbourg has seen him earn his first senior cap for Brazil.Inside Chelsea’s Strasbourg talent factory as angry fans fight identity crisis And his boss Rosenior has praised him highly, saying: “He’s Brazilian but he doesn’t play like one. He’s so smart and his stats are through the roof, in terms of scoring goals, winning duels.”He plays like he’s 32 years. There were other players that had a worthy cause to be captain, but I felt that Andrey was the right choice.”Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates More

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      Chelsea ‘ready to pay £5million penalty’ to send Jadon Sancho BACK to Man Utd as he’s handed transfer lifeline

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      CHELSEA are ready to pay a £5million penalty NOT to sign Jadon Sancho, with the winger reportedly set to move to Germany.Sancho joined the Blues on loan this season but has not exactly set the world alight.Jadon Sancho is attracting interest from clubs in GermanyCredit: GettyHe has had some memorable moments but four goals and ten assists in 40 games means Chelsea are not too concerned about keeping him on.In fact, the west London club are set to refuse to meet their obligation to make his loan permanent, and will pay Manchester United a £5m penalty as a result, report The Mirror. The Red Devils are still keen to move Sancho on however, with Ruben Amorim seeing no way back for the 25-year-old.Fortunately for Sancho there are some options available to him.READ MORE ON CHELSEAHis former club Borussia Dortmund remain interested while The Mirror claim Bayer Leverkusen could also make a move.Both German clubs may baulk at his £250,000-a-week wage demands, but United are hopeful a deal could be struck as they now value him at less than £20m.Sancho moved to Old Trafford from Dortmund for £73m almost four years ago, and he has just one year left to run on his contract.Leverkusen could sign Sancho to reinforce their attacking options with key star Florian Wirtz attracting attention.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSManchester City have been tipped to make a move for the Germany international.Real Madrid could also try and poach him, although Wirtz has reportedly said he would only leave to join Bayern Munich.Stamford Bridge erupts in brawls as Chelsea are accused of ‘most serious breach of stadium security in recent memory’ More

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      Liverpool boss Arne Slot parties with Wayne Lineker and EastEnders icon in Ibiza just hours after Arsenal clash

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      LIVERPOOL manager Arne Slot was spotted in ibiza partying with celebrities after Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.The Prem champions drew 2-2 with the Gunners at Anfield where the visitors came back and cancelled out Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz’s openers with goals by Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino.Liverpool boss Arne Slot was spotted partying in Gary Lineker’s brother Wayne’s club in IbizaSlot was joined by EastEnders star Dean GaffneySlot celebrated to the tune of Queen’s famous We Are the ChampionsSlot is gearing up for Liverpool’s open-top bus paradeSlot, 46, led the Reds to only their second Premiership title on his debut season after replacing legendary manager Jurgen Klopp only last summer.The Dutch tactician won the Merseysiders’ 20th ever title and equalled Manchester United’s record.Liverpool put together some passionate celebrations ever since Slot and co mathematically confirmed the title three weeks ago against Tottenham at the Kop.And thus the ex-Feyenoord boss decided to fly to Ibiza after the game with Arsenal to party at the popular O Beach Club, which is owned by Gary Lineker’s brother Wayne.Read More on FootballThe club owner shared a pic of him and Slot sharing a warm embrace on Instagram. Wayne issued the following caption: “Caption this.”The celebrity duo were joined by Eastenders star Dean Gaffney who shared a clip of him at the club close to Slot on his instagram story.Gaffney added the following caption: “Eagle-eyed viewers will spot a certain Premiership-winning manager.”Most read in FootballAnother clip showed the Liverpool boss celebrating to Queen’s famous We Are the Champions song.Slot is now focused on Liverpool’s last two Premier League matches before the open-top bus parade on May 26. Slot sends message to Liverpool fans who booed Trent Alexander-Arnold but vows to keep playing himThe Reds visit Brighton on Monday and will then host Crystal Palace the following Sunday.That is when the champions will lift the trophy at Anfield in front of their fans. More

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      Transfer deadline given shock new time as Premier League and EFL strike landmark agreement

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      THE summer transfer window will close four hours earlier than usual.But fears that Prem clubs could be exposed to losing players after incoming business ends appear to have been eased.Dominic Solanke joined Tottenham on deadline day last yearCredit: RexRaheem Sterling was a very late loan addition for ArsenalCredit: GettyPrem and EFL chiefs, with the agreement of clubs in both leagues, have agreed that signings or paperwork will have to be lodged by 7pm on September 1.Clubs who send a notice to register players will still have two hours to complete any deals between English clubs and allow them to play for their new sides.For signing from overseas, there will be an additional two hours to complete all the paperwork.The move from the 11pm closure is viewed as a way of preventing club staff and administrators having to burn the midnight oil well into the early hours when late-agreed deals are pushed through.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSome clubs voiced concerns that it could leave them open to the risk of losing players to major European clubs in the time frame between the English window shutting and the closure of the markets elsewhere.But it is understood that discussion about “harmonisation” across major leagues has been productive.The European Leagues umbrella group, which represents the majority of domestic competitions throughout the continent, is keen to get alignment.European Leagues would ideally see the markets close BEFORE the start of the season.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAlthough it is accepted that such an agreement, while preferable in the future,  is not feasible at this stage.Another argument in favour of the early closure is that Fifa have already allowed the window to open early.Eight of the greatest players to never win the Ballon d’Or despite their incredible careersThere is a 10-day transfer opportunity between June 1 and June 10 ahead of this summer’s Club World Cup.The formal window will then close again until it reopens on June 16, shutting on September 1, while the winter window will run from January 1 to February 2. More

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      Amorim and Ratcliffe’s reputations have been minced by a rotten, stinking Man Utd – who’d blame them for walking away

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      THEY brought in the second-richest man in Great Britain and the hottest young coach in Europe.And yet, as the fans mourned the 20th anniversary of the Glazer family’s takeover yesterday, Manchester United are worse than ever.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has endured a nightmare first 16 months at Man UtdCredit: PARuben Amorim looks like a broken man at Old TraffordCredit: GettyAnd United fans are at the end of their tether with it allCredit: GettyIt is easy to forget, after Ruben Amorim laid bare United’s desolate  soul in his latest brutally honest press conference, what a coup it had been to land him in the first place.How Amorim had been hailed as a cross between a young Jose Mourinho and Jesus Christ, when he oversaw a 4-1 Champions League demolition of Manchester City in his final home match  in charge of Sporting Lisbon just six months ago.Sporting boasted a 100 per cent record in the Portuguese league and Amorim was a charismatic tactical mastermind who was going to transform Old Trafford.And what a game-changer it was supposed to have been when Sir Jim Ratcliffe took control of United’s footballing operation just 16 months ago.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThis ruthlessly brilliant businessman, this local-boy-made-good, was going to lead the Red Devils back to the place he once held in the Forbes Rich List.Now Ratcliffe’s ruthlessness is regarded as hateful penny-pinching, that business acumen has not translated into football  — and United are two places above the  relegation zone.This rotten, stinking football club minces the reputations of the best of men. As Amorim seems to have realised, according to his extraordinary round of media interviews in the wake of Sunday’s 2-0 home defeat by West Ham.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordWords which left you seriously wondering whether Amorim wants out this summer.The 40-year-old offered up the idea that if United could not change things “really fast, we should give our places to different people”.Ruben Amorim vows to QUIT Man Utd if horror slump continues as dejected boss identifies ‘most dangerous thing’ at clubAfter all, the trend is clear: leave United and start enjoying football again.Aaron Wan-Bissaka, instrumental in both Hammers goals, has been voted West Ham’s player of the season by a landslide and is just one of many players to have left Old Trafford and thrived.Scott McTominay is a key figure in table-topping Napoli’s bid for the Serie A title, Antony has inspired Real Betis to the Conference League final and Dean Henderson is heading for an FA Cup final with Crystal Palace.You can list a composite starting XI of players who left United, either permanently or on loan, in the last two years — all of them considered either dead wood or wrong ’uns — which would probably beat Amorim’s team on current form.The group includes: Henderson (Crystal Palace); Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Willy Kambwala and Eric Bailly (both Villarreal), Tyrell Malacia (PSV Eindhoven); McFred (Napoli and Fenerbahce); Antony (Real Betis), Mason Greenwood  (Marseille), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa), Anthony Elanga (Nottingham Forest).United have become a vast footballer recycling centre which buys good players and makes them bad, before selling bad players who become good again.Aaron Wan-Bissaka was instrumental in both West Ham goals on SundayCredit: GettyLike Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag before him, Amorim has identified a kind of concrete cancer at United which feels incurable once you have been inside the place for any length of time.Win next week’s ‘Hell Clasico’ Europa League final against Tottenham in Bilbao and Amorim will have something to build upon.Champions League qualification would significantly increase the budget, as well as the desirability of moving to United this summer.Lose it and Ratcliffe is in the same ­position as last summer — wondering whether to back a manager who is failing badly in the Premier League.Having erroneously handed Ten Hag a new deal and a hefty transfer kitty last year, would he dare do the same again?Amorim is bright enough to realise this predicament, describing it as “a decisive moment in the history of the club.”Like all good managers, he had the ego to believe he could turn around United.Once inside, however, he realised the full scale of that task was beyond him. Perhaps beyond anyone.Man Utd suffered their 17th Prem defeat of the season on SundayCredit: PAAnd Amorim hinted that he’s prepared to QUIT if he can’t turn things aroundCredit: ReutersUnder the ruinous Glazers, so many things have been wrong at United for so long that nobody even knows where to start when it comes to putting things right.Dan Ashworth, one of the finest sporting directors in the game, was in and out of Old Trafford within months. Amorim may well follow suit.Amorim was correct to suggest that United’s players have been turning it on for Europa League matches on Thursday nights and tossing it off in the Premier League on Sundays.He was also bang-on when he identified that United players are no longer scared of losing and that not possessing “that fear” is “the most dangerous thing a big club can have”.What does the idea of ‘bigness’ actually mean when home defeats in the Premier League have become so routine that everyone knows they can beat you?Since the start of last season, United have lost domestic matches at Old Trafford to Brighton, Crystal Palace (twice), Manchester City, Newcastle (twice), Bournemouth (twice), Fulham (twice), Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Wolves and West Ham.When Aston Villa win at Old Trafford on Sunday week it will mean that, of the 16 clubs United have faced in the Premier League both this season and last, only Chelsea, Everton and Brentford won’t have won at Old Trafford.And only Everton will have failed to beat United either home or away.United have been consistently terrible in the Premier League for two years now.Read More on The SunShould they fail to win the Europa League and should any one of the promoted clubs show any serious ambition, United will be genuine relegation candidates next term.So we should not blame Amorim if he doesn’t fancy being around to oversee it.Man Utd ratings vs West Ham as Ugarte awful and Mainoo invisible in latest horror showMANCHESTER UNITED dropped to 16th in the Premier League after suffering an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to West Ham at Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim named a strong team for United’s return to domestic duty, but not even Amad Diallo could save the day.United gave fans a lively start, but reverted back to factory settings after the visitors took the lead inside 27 minutes.West Ham picked off United against the run of play, before former Man Utd star Aaron Wan-Bissaka came back to haunt his old club.The full-back fed a clever ball through to Mohammed Kudus, who thrashed a low cross into the six yard box for Tomas Soucek to tap home.United got caught cold again and were the masters of their own undoing, after Kudus pounced on Manuel Ugarte’s mess up to set up Jarrod Bowen, who doubled West Ham’s lead in the 58th minute.Apart from some bright moments from Amad, this was another awful performance from the home side, as West Ham became the SIXTH team to the double over United this season.The Red Devils haven’t haven’t won a Prem game since their 3-0 win at Leicester on March 16, which incidentally was the last team West Ham beat in February.Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated every Man Utd star’s performance at Old Trafford… More

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      How Eddie Howe’s tactical mystery helped Newcastle bamboozle Chelsea in race for Champions League

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      NEWCASTLE boosted their Champions League hopes with victory over Chelsea thanks to Eddie Howe’s tactical bamboozle.Howe insisted that his side’s first half performance was “electric” as they went into half time a goal and a man up.Eddie Howe masterminded Newcastle’s win over ChelseaCredit: EPAThe Toon finished with a 2-0 win to boost their Champions League credentialsCredit: AFPSandro Tonali fired the Toon ahead before Nicolas Jackson lost his head and was sent off before the break.Bruno Guimaraes settled the tie with a 90th-minute goal to earn his side three huge points.Despite the scoreline being a modest 2-0, there was plenty to show that Newcastle were far superior.1. Quick SandSandro Tonali’s pressing led to Newcastle’s opening goalHe and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes were able to act as strikersSandro Tonali embodied Newcastle’s high work ethic against the Blues.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe showed incredible stamina and pace to cover ground in order to press the opposition and put them under pressure.This helped other press from the front and as a result increased the numbers in the box.This was evident in Tonali’s goal after the ball was won up the pitch.He and Bruno Guimaraes were then able to act as strikers and get into the box and threaten the goal, from which the Italian scored.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS2. Botman and Rob himChelsea found themselves down to ten men after Nicolas Jackson was sent off for an elbow on Sven Botman.The visitors’ front three were up against Newcastle’s changed defensive line, which was made up of five players.Top 10 highest-paid Premier League starsThe full-backs Jacob Murphy and Tino Livramento were charged with marking wingers Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto.Newcastle’s defenders were allowed to push up the pitch to mark Chelsea’s midfieldDan Burn pressed Cole Palmer deep in the visitors’ halfSven Botman was able to jump up to deal with Nicolas JacksonWhile the three centre-backs Botman, Dan Burn and Fabian Schar could go man for man with Jackson and midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer.Burn and Schar were allowed to move up the pitch to mark the midfielders in turn, knowing that there would still be a back four behind them.Botman was marking Jackson, and when he would go, Burn and Schar would become the two central defenders.Chelsea could not work it out and it was as if the Toon had an extra player on the pitch.The trigger for the defenders to make their move appeared to be when Chelsea players would put their foot on the ball.This stopped Enzo Maresca’s player from being able to get a foothold in the match.Newcastle deployed a back five against the BluesBurn could move up to press PalmerFabian Schar was able to do the same to Enzo FernandezBotman could do the same with his team-mates forming a back four behind him3. Break the boxChelsea have been playing with a box midfield all season and the Toon were able to break it down.The tactic uses players such as Palmer who can control the ball and then play it out wide while sucking in the opposition.Howe’s side got into their back five and put three of the midfielders into Chelsea’s box.This would see the likes of Guimaraes and Tonali be joined by one of Harvey Barnes or Anthony Gordon, making it tough for the Blues to progress the ball.And with the back-five so deep it meant that any longer or more direct ball would be collected by goalkeeper Nick Pope.The defence was so well connected that it made it almost impossible for Palmer to influence the game.Newcastle disrupted Chelsea’s box midfield by flooding it with playersThe back five stayed firm and did not allow the Blues to get the ball into spaceWingers Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon would move into the box4. Change that ToonThe second half showed how Eddie Howe was able to react to Enzo Maresca’s changes.Nick Pope was called into action on a couple of occasions to preserve the Toon’s lead.Chelsea abolished the box shape and went for a line of three, which meant they could dominate possession as Newcastle still had a back five.Chelsea abandoned the box midfield in the second halfHowe changed to a back four to counter the change and return controlHe had to change again to contain the changed role of Moises CaicedoHowe changed this by moving the formation to a four at the back and a more natural 4-2-3-1 shape.Maresca countered back by using Moises Caicedo as a midfielder and full-back which saw them return to dominate.But Howe was able to change the tide again by calling on Emil Kraft and Lewis Miley which bolstered the midfield and stop Caicedo.5. Palmed offNewcastle did a great job of squeezing Cole Palmer away from the goal.They were able to palm him off and keep him at a safe distance.If he were to have had a shot, it would have likely been from 35 yards and at that point, they backed Nick Pope to deal with the effort.Read More on The SunPalmer also suffered from the change in tactics as he is more limited than some of Chelsea’s other players.He continued to try to find space in the match but was often stuck in his own half and facing his own goal. More

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      Man Utd set ambitious target for next season after worst Premier League campaign of all time

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      MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs have set an ambitious target for next season.The Red Devils are currently enduring their worst ever Premier League campaign and sit 16th with just two matches to go.Man Utd want to finish in the top six next seasonCredit: RexYesterday’s 2-0 home defeat to West Ham was their record-equalling ninth Old Trafford loss this term.And failure to beat Chelsea on Friday night would see Ruben Amorim become the club’s first boss in Prem history to go eight games without a win.United are already guaranteed to finish in their lowest place since relegation from the top-flight in 1974.But despite all of their troubles, chiefs have set a bold target ahead of next season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLManchester Evening News report that the aim is to finish in the top six in a year’s time.That is if they win the Europa League and subsequently qualify for the Champions League or not.It is described as an “acceptable” target made by the United’s “power brokers”.It comes after Amorim hinted at quitting should he not turn things around.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSHe said: “I don’t want to talk about the players. I’m talking about myself and the culture in the club and the culture in the team. I have that feeling.“We need to change that and we need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave.’I lived at the training ground’ – Former Man Utd transfer chief lifts lid on most expensive window in club history”Because we cannot have a season like this next year. If the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different persons.”So it’s a big problem that we have here at the club. It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to address that.”We are losing the feeling that we are a massive club and the feeling that it’s not the biggest thing in the world losing a game at home.”We don’t have that fear anymore and that is the most dangerous thing that a big club can have.”I think it’s a concern. It’s not the players’ fault. It’s my fault, I’m responsible.”If we cannot change that really fast we should give our place to different persons.Read More on The Sun”If you look at the goals that we suffer, we can avoid these goals. The lack of energy, of urgency. That is the most dangerous things in this club.”You can feel it at the beginning of the game. Between our box and opponent’s box there is a lack of urgency. That is something we have to change in this club.”Join SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old Trafford More

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      Real Madrid targeting Tottenham star Cristian Romero in summer transfer to rebuild defence for Xabi Alonso

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      REAL MADRID will target Cristian Romero this summer – as they look to build a new back-line.The Spanish giants are set to welcome Trent Alexander-Arnold as one of their marquee signings.Real Madrid are targeting a move for Cristian RomeroCredit: GettyBut SunSport can reveal that Real’s business is far from over.Incoming boss Xabi Alonso is believed to be a huge fan of Romero and thinks he could be the perfect addition to help Real win silverware next season.Reports last year suggested that Madrid made an ambitious move to land Romero last summer but Spurs had no interest in doing business.However, after a miserable season which could see the Lilywhites finish 17th in the Premier League table, they may now have little option but to let Romero go this time around.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpurs know they will find it especially difficult to persuade him to stay if they fail to beat Manchester United in the Europa League final and qualify for the Champions League.Real Madrid’s defence has been highlighted in Spain as one of the main reasons for their failure to win La Liga or the Champions League this season.And although the impending arrival of Alexander-Arnold will excite fans, the club know he alone will not be enough.Question marks also exist around Alexander-Arnold’s defensive skills which has made a centre-back an even bigger priority for the club.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBy pairing Romero with the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Los Blancos chiefs believe they could create a strong base from which to go and win the biggest trophies.Alonso also prefers to play with a back three and if he continues with that formation at the Bernabeu it would make signing a new centre-back a priority.Jamie Carragher ‘shocked’ by Alexander-Arnold boos as he admits ‘most Liverpool players want to play for Real Madrid’Losing Romero would be a disaster for Spurs.He’s a hugely popular player among supporters and his absence this season through injury has hit the team hard. More