Sport Features

LEICESTER CITY won the FA Cup last season, as well as challenged for a Champions League place through shrewd business.The Foxes have made an astonishing £260million on players they bought in for just £18million since Jon Rudkin was installed as director of football in 2015.
Leicester cashed in after winning the title, raising £260m by selling five players
Leicester now boast a squad worth £430million including Caglar Soyuncu, left, and James Maddison
Better still, they’ve spent that money wisely on young players whose stock has risen.
According to Transfermarkt.com, Leicester’s squad is now worth around £430million.
The likes of James Maddison (£50m) and Caglar Soyuncu (£40m) could help boost the club’s finances in years to come, if/when they move.
A SELLING CLUB
Despite winning a league title in 2016, Brendan Rodgers’ men are still seen as a selling club.
If the price is right, Leicester could be forced to accept offers for their star talents – at the rate of one a season.
And since 2016, the reaped the benefits from a transfer recruitment process that is now overseen by Lee Congerton.
N’Golo Kante, a £6m signing from Caen, left for Chelsea for £30million that year.
In 2017, it was his midfield partner Danny Drinkwater who also moved to Stamford Bridge for a whopping £40million.
A year later, Riyad Mahrez moved to Manchester City for £60million, in 2019 Manchester United paid £80million for Harry Maguire, and last summer Ben Chilwell made it a hat-trick of Chelsea signings from Leicester in recent years for £50million.
Astonishingly, those sales bolstered their coffers by £260million. What’s even more incredible is they cost just £18million.
Former Leicester City pair Harry Maguire and Riyad Mahrez were sold for £80m and £60 respectively after being bought for much-smaller feesCredit: PA:Press Association
N’Golo Kante was a £6m signing from Caen, but moved to Chelsea for £30m a season laterCredit: —

BUT THEY REMAINED COMPETITIVE
Losing players of that calibre would make any team suffer.
And although it could be argued Leicester haven’t improved on their Premier League-winning team, they are certainly just as competitive.
Through the years, shrewd investment in new signings, especially young players, has seen the club continue to prosper.
Wilfred Ndidi, 24, arrived at the King Power Stadium in 2017 from Genk for £20million.
The Nigerian international has grown to become one of the best defensive midfielders in the country, and according to Transfermarket.com could command a fee of at least £50million.
And James Maddison might fetch an even bigger fee, if Leicester were to cash in on their asset they shelled out £20million for in 2018 from Norwich.
Latest reports claim that Arsenal would have to pay £70million for the playmaker, if they want to take him away from the King Power.
James Maddison, a £20m signing in 2018, would fetch over £50m in the transfer market todayCredit: Getty – Contributor
£30million signing Wesley Fofana has been linked with a summer move to Man UtdCredit: Getty
James Justin cost £10m from Luton, and could be worth as much as £20m nowCredit: Getty
Wesley Fofana, a £30million signing last summer, has been linked with a £80million move to Manchester United, which incidentally is the same fee the Red Devils paid Leicester for former centre-back Harry Maguire in 2019.
Transfermarket.com believes the Leicester City squad, which has an average age of 27, to be currently worth around £430million.
THE RECRUITMENT TEAM
Much of that success has to go down to a number of people involved in recruitment over the years.
An established transfer recruitment system was first set-up by former head of recruitment Steve Walsh, who left the club in 2016.
Then Eduardo Macia, who worked with Brendan Rodgers at Celtic came in, and it’s now Lee Congerton – a former youth team coach at Chelsea, who studies the targets.
He is helped by a team of analysts who watch extensive videos of games all over the globe – following up on recommendations by scouts employed around the world.
The head of recruitment’s role is to assess the player through as much analytical data and statistics received.
If the player is to be a target, Congerton will fly wherever it is in the world to personally scout the player in question.
Steve Walsh, right, sat with former Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri set up the club’s transfer recruitment systemCredit: Getty – Contributor
Director of football Jon Rudkin is responsible for getting the deals over the lineCredit: Getty – Contributor

Information is passed on to Rodgers before a background check is carried out on the individual, that includes their lifestyle, temperament and personality.
Finally, it’s down to director of football Jon Rudkin, assisted by director of football operations Andrew Neville, to get the deals over the line and negotiate with other clubs.
You can bet they are already in talks with new promising talent to arrive in Leicestershire, that’ll likely command a bigger fee in years to come.
Leicester star Wesley Fofana suffer potentially serious injury after pre-season horror challenge More

WHATEVER the future holds for Lionel Messi, it will be his father Jorge who will help his son choose his next destiniation.On Thursday night, it was announced the Barcelona legend, 34, will leave the club after financial restrictions meant a new contract couldn’t be finalised.
Lionel Messi’s dad Jorge will have a big say on his son’s futureCredit: AFP
The bombshell news heralds a new chapter in the record six-time Ballon d’Or winners’ astonishing career.
PSG has been mooted as a possible next step, with negotiations reportedly already under way with the French giants, while Manchester City will do everything in their power to reunite Messi with his football mentor, Pep Guardiola.
But off the pitch, his biggest influence is his 63-year-old dad, a former metal factory worker in Rosario, Argentina.
Jorge Messi coached his son at local team, Grandoli before he joined Newell’s Old Boys.
When the prodigy needed hormone injections for a growth deficiency disorder, Messi Sr organised for his son to have a trial at Barcelona.
The family moved to Spain when Lionel was 13, after he dazzled coaches and it was agreed the club would pay for his treatment.
“(Leo) always followed what I said to him as his coach,” Jorge told Kicker in 2013.
“Even today he is still like that. He has never told me, I’m 25 now and grown up and the best player in the world.
“The other day I mentioned a couple of things to him after the game against Madrid. I’m still the same as a father as when I was his coach at Grandoli.”
AIDING HIS SON’S DEVELOPMENT
Leo played his first few games at the local Grandoli club, before it was immediately recognised he had a natural flair for the game.
Football fan Jorge was there, coaching his son and giving him pointers.
But it wasn’t long before Rosario’s most famous club Newell’s Old Boys came calling.

Jorge Messi has been Lionel’s agent since he began playing footballCredit: EPA
A mural in Rosario shows a young Messi in Newell’s Old Boys colours, where he started outCredit: Getty
By 10, Messi was diagnosed with growth deficiency disorder and he needed expensive treatment.
Although the Messis weren’t poor, the £900 hormone injections were well beyond their reach.
Newell’s Old Boys were also unable to fund them too, even though by this time young Leo was starting to become known thanks to a page lead in Rosario newspaper La Capital in September 2000.
BARCELONA BOUND
Lionel and Jorge soon disappeared for a few weeks – with his school and people outside the family having no idea where they went.
Newell’s believed he had gone to Buenos Aires and signed for a rival club, while another vicious rumour suggested he had hepatitis.
The truth was they were in Catalonia on a trial with Barcelona. He dazzled coaches at La Masia Academy but wasn’t offered a deal straight away.
The Messis returned to Rosario, when Jorge organised another trial with the famous River Plate to put the squeeze on Barcelona.
Finally, in the presence of then Messi family advisors Josep Maria Minguella and Horacio Gaggioli, a deal with the Spanish club was signed on a napkin.
The pair returned to the Catalans reportedly £120,000-per-year richer, and more importantly Messi could receive the hormone treatment he needed.
Jorge orchestrated his son’s move to Barcelona, after they agreed to pay for Messi’s hormone treatmentCredit: Getty
Messi’s rise has always been with his father by his sideCredit: Getty
PROBLEM CHILD
However, 12 months into his deal a Barcelona general manager fumed at the extortionate amount a young teen, who wasn’t even close to first team action, was getting.
An upset Jorge contacted Jorge Valdano, the former general manager of Real Madrid, to see if Los Blancos would be interested in taking his son on instead.
The matter did blow over, but a senior Barça official questioned, “Who does he think he is, Maradona?”
It showed the lengths Jorge would go to ensure he and his son weren’t messed with.
This, despite very few knowing who Messi was outside La Masia.
INTER YOU
Preseason in 2005, and it was the Gamper Trophy where Messi exploded onto the scene – just a few months after turning 18.
He set up a goal for Andres Iniesta in a 2-2 draw with Juventus, was heralded by their coach Fabio Capello, while 90,000 fans sung his name for the first time.
But due to pesky LaLiga rules, he couldn’t play for Barcelona domestically because they had too many non-Spanish players in their line-up.
In 2005, Messi arrived on the sceneCredit: AFP – Getty
Within three years of his debut, Messi was earning more than RonaldinhoCredit: AFP
Inter Milan saw this as the perfect opportunity to swoop, and Jorge was believed to be interested when they offered a deal that tripled Lionel’s Barcelona contract.
President Joan Laporta soon got involved after talks with sporting director Txiki Begiristain broke down.
Two offers were rejected that were lower than Inter’s proposal, until an agreement was made – his third pay rise in just 18 months.
More importantly, Laporta managed to convince authorities to make Messi and his dad Spanish citizens. Now, Lionel could play in LaLiga with no problem at all.
Within three years of making his debut, Messi soon became Barcelona’s highest-paid player, overtaking Ronaldinho.
Over the years, several contracts were put on the table to make sure the Messis were kept happy.
A FAMILY BUSINESS
Although Jorge now runs things remotely from Rosario, and other people run his businesses, he is still very much hands-on.
“He tries to do everything for his son. He has not learned how to step back and move aside and let other people work in a more professional way,” a source told The Athletic.
“They are a good family, they love each other, but they do not seem to be particularly good at building relationships with people who can help them.”
Messi poses with his Ballon d’Or trophies next to dad Jorge and brother MathiasCredit: Offside
The Messi operation is a family business for dad JorgeCredit: Getty
Around £20million-per-year is generated by Messi’s sponsorship dealsCredit: Pepsi
The Messis have an office in central Barcelona, with a receptionist, a German financial controller, private banker Alfonso Nebot, who takes care of his investments, and a former Barcelona employee Pau Negre, responsible for his international commercial work.
Deals in place with Adidas, Gatorade, Huawei, Mastercard and Pepsi bring in around £20million-per-year for the family.
While they also boast an expanding hotel portfolio with sites in Sitges, Ibiza and Mallorca, recently adding a resort in Andorra for keen skiers.
CONTROVERSIES
Although having your father as your confidant has its benefits, when Messi became big business it would’ve been impossible to manage his finances correctly and knowing every single law.
In 2013, the Spanish tax authorities began investigating football and discovered irregularities in Messi’s earnings.
Between 2007-09, he was accused of evading £3million in taxes by creating offshore accounts in Uruguay and Belize, both tax havens, as well as the UK and Switzerland for money received from image rights deals.
“Since my son’s career started, I am talking about 2000 when we arrived in Barcelona, I have always tried to make his life easier,” he told a court in 2016.
They both revealed that they had hired Argentinian tax advisors, when Messi began at Barcelona and followed their lead.
“I signed the contracts as I trusted in my dad”, Messi told the court.
Messi and his dad were accused of evading £3million in taxes and ended up in courtCredit: Getty – Pool
Jorge Messi was slapped with a £1.2million fine and given a suspended 21 month jail sentenceCredit: Reuters
They paid around £4million to cover the cost of the taxes, as well as “reparations”. But that didn’t satisfy the authorities.
The pair were found guilty of fraud and given suspended 21 month jail terms. Messi was fined around £1.7million, while Jorge received a £1.2million rap on the knuckles.
THE NEXT STEP
Potentially Messi’s next move could be his last in football.
Crucially, his team and Jorge will be tasked with getting it right for the world’s greatest footballer and his legacy.
Messi does have more control now than he did before, and since 2014 and the tax issue is leading his own path.
It was he who led the idea of leaving Barcelona last summer after growing disillusioned with life at the club, according to reports.
Messi’s next destination could be PSG or Manchester CityCredit: AFP

Now, it’s their finances – crippled by the coronavirus pandemic – that have made his decision for him.
Be it PSG, Manchester City or elsewhere Messi will have the final say of where he plays.
But you can bet dad Jorge will have something to say in the ear of his son that will be listened to very carefully.
Lionel Messi leaves cash-strapped Barcelona in transfer bombshell More

AS back stories go, none could provide a tale worthy of a Hollywood movie than Leon Bailey’s epic rise.The explosive winger, 23, has signed for Aston Villa in a £30million deal, securing his dream Premier League move.
Leon Bailey’s epic rise began in Jamaica and taken in Austria, Netherlands and GermanyCredit: Getty
Bailey was raised by stepdad Craig Butler, who aided his journeyCredit: Instagram @craigbutlerphoenix
Bailey has come a long way from Jamaica, where he grew up until the age of 12 before globetrotting around Europe where he found fame and fortune.
Local coach Craig Butler, his stepfather and agent, took him under his wing when he was a youngster.
But Bailey was left sweating for his mentor’s life when Butler was kidnapped in Mexico and dropped in the desert without a penny.
JAMAICA LIFE
Leon grew up in Cassava Piece, widely regarded as a violent part of Kingston where gun crime and shootings are rife.
Not much is known about his mum and dad, but it was an environment that the aspiring footballer appreciated for giving him the hunger to succeed.
“Whenever I look back on my life in Cassava Piece it wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t bad either,” he said.
“It’s an area that is poor, but it turned me into somebody I’d never thought I’d become.”
By the age of five he had discovered football and was soon training at the Phoenix All-Stars Academy, which doubled as a foster care home for children without family support.
It was there he met Butler, who also acts at his advisor and live-streamed his protege’s Villa signing on Instagram.
Bailey, front row second from the right, began his football education with the Phoenix All-Stars Academy in JamaicaCredit: Instagram
Winger Bailey wearing black and white seen showcasing his skills in Jamaica aged 10Credit: Twitter @leonbailey
“If Leon had stayed in Jamaica he could’ve been a drug dealer or gangster,” Butler said.
“But he stayed focused and is an example to other Jamaicans. Leon is a new breed of footballer.”
EUROPE CALLING
When Bailey was 12, Butler jacked in his job as general manager of Toshiba and took the talented youngster and two other boys to Europe
Their first stop was Salzburg, Austria, in the middle of winter – a freezing environment in comparison to the sunny blue skies of what they knew.
They arrived with just one bag between the four of them – a tin of tuna, mayonnaise and bread was dinner. They slept in a hostel.
“It was so difficult, that I can tell you – one of the hardest, toughest parts of my life,” he told FourFourTwo back in 2019.
“It taught me so much, and it was the first time I’d really travelled anywhere, especially to a country that was so cold.
If Leon had stayed in Jamaica he could’ve been a drug dealer or gangster.”Craig Butler, Bailey’s stepdad
“I’d never experienced anything like that kind of weather before. When we came here it was freezing, and probably the worst time of my life.
“We had to adapt, and at first we didn’t have warm enough clothes to train in. It was a difficult period for us.”
But heartbreak was around the corner, after Butler begged Red Bull Salzburg to offer Bailey a trial.
He failed his first audition and was rejected by their head of youth development at the football club.
Bailey would later get snubbed by Austria Vienna, Rapid Vienna, Matterrsburg, Reid Academy, and Grodig.
Solace arrived for Leon and his adoptive brothers in the shape of USK Anif, an Austrian feeder club for Salzburg.
As an U15, local reports claimed he scored a staggering 75 goals in 16 games. But they needed a bigger stage.
Seen in Chelsea blue, who Bailey once snubbed, the youngster bounced around Europe looking for a club to take him onCredit: Twitter @leonbailey
Bailey, right, had to adapt to freezing temperatures in Austria
KIDNAP
Butler, Bailey and the boys travelled around Germany and the Netherlands, before Belgium side Genk were convinced to give them a trial.
Butler was adamant they should all stick together, and insisted he needed to be there to supervise.
However, he soon disappeared off the face of the eath.
Butler had flown into Mexico on business to help finalise paperwork that would allow Bailey to sign an agreement with the club.
But what happened next is something out of a blockbuster movie.
Butler went missing, before resurfacing four months later to reveal he was attacked, robbed and left for dead in the desert.
“He was walking along with his briefcase like any other businessman, in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Bailey said.
“It was a while before we realised what had happened to him.
“We actually had a house [in Belgium] by then, and my big brother was taking care of everyone.”
During that period, Butler’s residency application was rejected twice and the Belgian Labour Ministry raided Genk’s offices as part of the investigation.
Butler, right, was kidnapped in Mexico and left for dead in the desertCredit: Instagram @craigbutlerphoenix
He was walking along with his briefcase like any other businessman, in the wrong place at the wrong time.”Leon Bailey
After a brief dalliance with Standard Liege, the determined group found themselves back in Cassava Piece with Bailey’s dream on hold.
“[Craig] always had the confidence [that I would make it],” he told The Independent.
“He knew what I was capable of from a very long time. [When we eventually returned to Europe] we already knew what was going to happen. We weren’t looking for somewhere to go. The interest was always there from since I was 15.”
FINALLY MAKING IT
Astonishingly it was in Slovenia where Bailey penned his first pro-contract with minnows Trencin, although there was talk of a move to Ajax which fell through.
Then, just a few months later, he returned to Genk as soon as he turned 18 and was legally allowed to sign for the Belgians, admittedly snubbing Chelsea.
“Those rumours are true – Chelsea have been interested in me since I was maybe 14 or 15,” Bailey confessed to FourFourTwo.
“But as a young player you want to start on a normal level and not just go there because of the name of the club.
“You want to develop in the right environment; around the right minds and mentality.
“Genk was right for me at that moment – I fitted right into the youth system perfectly. That’s where I wanted to start, so I went for it.”
By the end of the 2015-16 season, Bailey was voted Belgian Young Footballer of the Year.
Aged 18, Bailey finally got his move to Genk where he became one of Europe’s hottest propertiesCredit: Getty – Contributor
In 2017, Bailey secured a £15m move to Bayer Leverkusen, where he lit up the BundesligaCredit: Getty
Stephanie Hope is the love of Bailey’s lifeCredit: Instagram @leonbailey
The following season, his goal against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League was awarded the best goal of the competition.
German giants Bayer Leverkusen knew they couldn’t miss out on the wonderkid, who was also being linked with Manchester United.
They paid £15million for the wideman in 2017, and he soon became one of the most feared players in the Bundesliga.
While in Germany, he met love of his life Stephanie Hope in 2019 – and the pair welcomed a son a year later they named Leo Cristiano.
To stay grounded, he has role models Usain Bolt and Raheem Sterling, who he is proud to call mates.
“Usain is a very, very good friend,” he revealed.
“We play football together, we go to the beach together, and we hang out and go to parties together. He’s a good person – I’ve known him for a couple of years.”
Bailey continued: “Raheem is back in Jamaica regularly; I’ve known him for about five years, so before I was a pro. I used to look up to him and be like, ‘Yeah, he’s one of us’.
“Whenever he was there we used to hang out and chill together, so that’s basically how we started.
“One of my close friends from childhood brought him to meet me one day, when I was coming back from Phoenix training.
“From there we became great friends and got so attached because of football. I wanted to learn so much from him.
“Then I went on my path and started doing what I do, so obviously he started to see that I had talent. It brought us even closer together. Now we’re the two main faces of Jamaican football, I guess.”
Bailey has since become one of the faces of Jamaican footballCredit: AP
Olympic legend Usain Bolt is one of Bailey’s close palsCredit: Facebook: Usain Bolt
Raheem Sterling has known Bailey since before he became a proCredit: Twitter @leonbailey

Now, Bailey has a different challenge – to become one of the faces of the Premier League after signing for Aston Villa.
“For me, it’s a great club with a big history and it’s the right step for me. I’m excited to get started,” he said after the deal was announced.
“It’s always been somewhere that I’ve wanted to play. I feel like now is the right time and I’m excited about it.
“Hopefully I can do what I do best and have a great season in the Premier League.”
Given his rough start, you wouldn’t past him being a roaring success.
Man City open transfer talks with Aston Villa over Jack Grealish with champions willing to shatter Premier League record More

ENGLAND star Jack Grealish has become English football’s first £100million player.The Aston Villa midfielder moved to Manchester City for a British record £100million transfer fee.
Jack Grealish joins Man City for a British record fee of £100million
Jack Grealish became one of England’s star performers at the EurosCredit: Getty
Jack Grealish joined Aston Villa aged sixCredit: Twitter @JackGrealish
The move caps a remarkable rise for Grealish, who has been at Villa for almost 19 years.
After joining his boyhood club aged six, the playmaker toughened up by playing Gaelic football on the side – something his father says has helped him in anticipating tackles.
Grealish, 25, has also followed in the footsteps of his great-great grandfather by representing the England national team – after controversially switching his allegiance from Ireland six years ago.
HANDY WITH HIS HANDS TOO
Grealish was born in 1995 and raised in Solihull by parents Kevin and Karen, who have Irish roots.
A die-hard fan, it was always his dream to represent the club he loved as a kid. But in the summers, when the football season had wound down, he just loved playing Gaelic football.
There aren’t many footballers who have scored a point at Croke Park playing Gaelic football and won the Toulon Tournament.
Jack Grealish will wear the No10 shirt at Man City next season
Grealish with mum Karen and dad KevinCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
As a youngster, Grealish played both football and Gaelic footballCredit: Twitter @JackGrealish
He lined out for the John Mitchels Hurling and Camogie club in the Midlands, where he excelled.
In 2009, Grealish scored a point representing Warwickshire GAA at Croke Park during half-time of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final between Dublin and Kerry.
In the past, dad Kevin spoke about how Gaelic football prepared him for the rough treatment he gets week in/week out in the Premier League.
“He’d run the show playing Gaelic. It really helped him because he was knocked from pillar to post. It’s brutal compared to soccer,” he told BirminghamLive.
“Jack, as you know, is good with his feet but you can pick the ball up as well and he’d flick it around everyone!
“I told Gordan Cowans (Aston Villa coach) that once. He asked why Jack was so good at expecting tackles and stuff and it was the GAA.
“It really built up his upper body, players would bounce off him. It’s probably why he’s so strong today.”
Jack, himself, has spoken fondly about his Gaelic football past.
Grealish poses with carrots at Aston Villa’s club allotment in 2014Credit: Getty – Contributor
Dad Kevin said Gaelic football helped toughen his son up
“I wasn’t really into other sports growing up but I loved Gaelic,” he revealed.
“You can play football in it; you don’t just have to have the ball in your hands, you can just run with the ball.
“But when I was 13, Villa told me I need to stop because it’s rough. I still played now and then until I was 15.”
LUCK OF THE IRISH
It’s easy to forget Grealish was a late bloomer in international football – and didn’t make his full England debut until two days before he turned 25.
And he could quite easily have been sat at home watching the Euros in his plush Barnt Green, Worcestershire home had he not snubbed Republic of Ireland at the eleventh hour in 2015.
In 2015 Grealish snubbed an international call-up by Ireland, after he had represented them at U21 levelCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription
In 2016 Grealish starred at the Toulon Tournament for EnglandCredit: AFP or licensors
Capped by Ireland at U17, U18 and U21 level, he seemed destined to play under Martin O’Neill.
However, O’Neill revealed that Grealish turned down an invitation for a call-up , which alerted then-England U21 coach Gareth Southgate to the possibility he would switch allegiances.
In September 2015, he confirmed that he would represent England, and at the Toulon Tournament he made his debut.
Grealish would be instrumental in helping his country win the competition.
FOOTBALL RUNS IN THE FAMILY
Every time Grealish puts on an England shirt, he’s bound to think about his great-great-grandfather from his mother Karen’s side of the family, Billy Garraty.
Aston Villa legend Billy Garraty is Jack’s great-great-grandfatherCredit: Rex
Garraty won the league and FA Cup with Villa – scoring 112 goals in 260 gamesCredit: Getty
Between 1898 and 1908, forward Garraty scored 112 goals in 260 appearances for Vila.
In 1903, he also won an England cap in an appearance against Wales.
Although Jack has already bettered Garraty’s Three Lions appearance record, he’s still got some way to go to match his medal’s count
Garraty was a 1905 FA Cup hero for the club – winning man of the match in a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the final.
Five years prior, he helped the club win the league scoring 27 goals in 33 games.

CHARITY CRUSADER
Off the pitch, the classy midfielder, who made his debut aged 18 for Villa in 2014, is generous with his time and money.
Grealish is renowned for his charity work in and around the Birmingham community.
Last summer, he raffled off a worn football shirt to raise funds for the NHS – reportedly raising over £55,000.
Over the years Grealish has raised 100s of thousands of pounds for charityCredit: Reuters
Last year Grealish donated a shirt to a Twitter follower after his best friend committed suicide
Grealish also raised over £55,000 for the NHS at the height of the coronavirus pandemic
Jack was also said to have personally donated £150,000 to a local hospital during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
And when a Twitter follower contacted him to tell him about the death of his best friend who committed suicide after a battle with mental health, Grealish kindly auctioned off a shirt signed by the Villa promotion-winning squad.

Money raised was donated straight to a mental health charity.
Grealish has also been advocate for Saving Lives and Children in Need in the past.
Now he goes down in history as the most expensive English player ever.
The stage is set for this generational talent to leave his indelible mark on English football.
England squad numbers revealed and hint Jack Grealish will play key role – but what does Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mean More

AS Harry Kane tries to force a move to Manchester City, he may feel the wrath of Tottenham fans should he get his wish.The England hotshot, 28, has delayed his return to North London, skipping training and extending his holiday in Florida.
Harry Kane’s future is up in the air as he tries to force a move to Man CityCredit: PA
Desperate to go to the Premier League champions, Kane would certainly rock a few Spurs supporters with the manner in which he’s gone about attempting to turn his dream into a reality.
And if Kane gets his wish, he could join these controversial stars who upset the apple cart.
Tevez, Man Utd to Man City
With the Argentinian owned by a third party – agent Kia Joorabchian’s Media Sports Investment company – Tevez was technically on loan to Manchester United for two years.
The Red Devils dallied on a permanent deal, which allowed crosstown rivals Man City to swoop in 2009.
A billboard was then erected in Manchester facing in the direction of Salford with Tevez on a blue backdrop with the slogan ‘Welcome to Manchester’.
The whole matter left Sir Alex Ferguson incensed. “Stupid and arrogant,” he said of the poster. “A small club with a small mentality,” he labelled City.
Man City put up this poster in Manchester after signing Carlos TevezCredit: PA:Press Association
Sir Alex Ferguson was livid after Tevez left United for CityCredit: AFP
Campbell, Spurs to Arsenal
Kane can count his lucky stars it’s not the Gunners trying to lure him away from Spurs.
In 2001, Sol Campbell’s contract with Tottenham was set to expire and was considering his options.
Few could believe the England legend would end up at arch-rivals Arsenal, after admitting he was seeking Champions League football.
It was “the ultimate act of betrayal”, according to the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust said.
In 2001, Sol Campbell shocked English football when he left Tottenham for ArsenalCredit: PA:Press Association
Campbell feels the brunt of Spurs fans at White Hart LaneCredit: Getty – Contributor
Cole, Arsenal to Chelsea
What goes around comes around in football, they say, and Ashley Cole leaving Arsenal for Chelsea was one Gunners fans STILL haven’t got over – often referring to him as ‘Cashley Cole’.
Chelsea and Jose Mourinho were accused of tapping up the ex-England left-back, when the pair met at a hotel restaurant to discuss a potential move.
At the time, Cole was disgruntled with a contract offer he’d received – famously admitting “I nearly swerved off the road” with the £55,000-per-week deal on the table.
All parties were fined for the tapping up incident, but that didn’t stop Cole from making his move a year later.
Months later at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal fans showered the pitch with fake bank notes with Ashley Cole’s face on.
Arsenal fans throw fake bank notes with Ashley Cole’s image on them onto the pitch at Stamford BridgeCredit: PA:Press Association
The notes featured Cole’s face as well his famous quote from his bookCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Figo, Barcelona to Real Madrid
The Real Madrid presidential elections of 2000 brought arguably the most astonishing transfer in Spanish football history.
With Florentino Perez trailing in the polls, he launched an audacious bid for Barcelona talisman Luis Figo.
He offered the Portugal legend a guaranteed £1.6million if he lost the election, but if he won Figo would have to either move to Los Blancos or pay £19million in compensation.
Figo took the bait, and when Perez was voted in the £38million release clause was met and the winger joined Real.
When he returned to the Nou Camp in 2002, he was met with a hostile reaction, as well as a pig’s head that was thrown onto the pitch.
Barcelona fans burn a poster of former hero Luis Figo at the Nou CampCredit: AP:Associated Press
A pig’s head was thrown onto the pitch when Figo returned to the Nou CampCredit: Diario AS
Keane, Man Utd to Celtic
When Roy Keane made himself an enemy in the eyes of Sir Alex Ferguson, there was no going back.
First, he reportedly argued with Fergie over the quality of the set-up at the Portuguese resort United were enjoying a preseason training camp at in 2005.
Then, he blasted team-mates Rio Ferdinand, John O’Shea, Alan Smith, Kieran Richardson and Darren Fletcher in an interview with MUTV.
The explosive clip was never aired, but the damage was done. Keane was granted a free transfer – joining boyhood club Celtic.
Roy Keane signed for boyhood club Celtic after an infamous fallout with Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty
Baggio, Fiorentina to Juventus
The Diving Ponytail joined Juventus from Fiorentina in 1990 for a world record £8million fee.
But despite the huge cash windfall, Viola fans were fuming and they stormed the club’s offices – forcing president Flavio Pontello to hide in the stadium.
Amazingly, the riots saw 50 fans injured, while nine were arrested.
What happened next was even better. When the two played each other the following season, Baggio refused to take a penalty claiming Fiorentina keeper Gianmatteo Mareggini would know how to save it.
After he was substituted from the pitch, Baggio then picked up a Fiorentina scarf thrown at him and later revealed “his heart was purple”.
Roberto Baggio swapped Florence for Turin, but later revealed his heart was purpleCredit: Getty
Cruyff, Ajax to Feyenoord
Forever the darling of Ajax fans, there was a time when Johan Cruyff threatened his reputation with them.
After giving them the best part of his football career, the Dutch club’s board felt the Netherlands legend was finished at 36 and refused to offer him a new deal.
Dutch legend Johan Cruyff won the double with Feyenoord after Ajax released him in spiteCredit: Getty

Cruyff was furious. So mad, in fact, he signed for their bitter enemy Feyenoord, who he then led to the double and won Dutch Footballer of the Year.
“I wanted to take my anger out on Ajax via Feyenoord after the club had thrown me out with the rubbish”, he later admitted in his autobiography.
Tottenham furious with Harry Kane as AWOL striker heads to FLORIDA from Bahamas on extended holiday… and must isolate More

HARRY KANE is STILL nowhere to be seen down Hotspur Way.The 28-year-old is in a stand-off with Tottenham and Daniel Levy and believes he should be allowed to leave for Manchester City, following a gentleman’s agreement with the chairman.
Harry Kane has gone on strike and is desperate to leave TottenhamCredit: Reuters
Kane claims he has a gentleman’s agreement with Levy to leave and is trying to pull every trick in the book to leaveCredit: PA
Of course, Spurs fans will know this dance well already. Famously, Gareth Bale skipped training until he got his desired move to Real Madrid in 2013.
Back in May, Kane began his exit strategy with an explosive interview with Gary Neville on SkyBet’s The Overlap, where he revealed he was ready to leave the club and that he would be in control of his own destiny.
But going AWOL from the training ground or giving cryptic interviews aren’t the only course of action a player can take if they want a transfer.
POOR PERFORMANCE
When former pro turned BT Sport pundit Robbie Savage hankered for a move to Blackburn from Birmingham City in 2005, he had a stinker against Newcastle to engineer a transfer and annoy manager Steve Bruce.
He wrote in his autobiography: “I went out that day and I deliberately played badly. I looked like I couldn’t care less, and it was the first and the last time I’ve done that.
“I’d been on fire but I let everyone down: the fans, the other players and Steve Bruce. He knew that I was playing to get away and that he had a problem. I needed to force the issue.”
Ex-Chelsea star William Gallas threatened to go even further, according to the West London club.
The Frenchman was incensed they wouldn’t let him move to Arsenal in 2006, so he allegedly threatened to score an own goal or get sent off if he was picked.
“Before the first game of the season against Manchester City, when only four defenders were available and John Terry was doubtful with an injury, he refused to play,” a Chelsea statement said.
Robbie Savage admitted to purposefully playing badly under Steve Bruce to get a moveCredit: PA:Press Association
SunSport’s backpage in 2006 after Chelsea’s incredible statementCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Gallas got his desire to leave Chelsea in 2006 for ArsenalCredit: PA:Press Association
“He went on to threaten that if he was forced to play, or if he was disciplined and financially punished for his breach of the rules, that he could score an own goal or get himself sent off, or make deliberate mistakes.”
Gallas denied the accusation, but admitted he was desperate to be let go.
AGENTS AND THE MEDIA
The birth of the super agent – think Mino Raiola – has further intensified matters on the transfer front.
The Italian is well-known for upsetting the clubs of his clients, just ask Manchester United.
Former Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson refused to work with him – once calling him a “s***bag”.
While last season, Raiola got into a slanging match with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over the future of Paul Pogba after the Italian said the World Cup winner’s United career was “over”.
 “He needs to change team, he needs a change of scene,” Raiola said.
“He has a contract that expires in a year and a half’s time, in the summer of 2022, But I think the best solution would be for him to leave in the next transfer window.”
The statement was obviously designed to drum up interest in Pogba, with PSG one of the clubs hopeful of prising him away from Old Trafford this summer.
Mino Raiola is famous for intensifying transfer mattersCredit: Getty – Contributor
Last season Raiola said his client Paul Pogba (pictured) needs to change team, which began a transfer scrambleCredit: AFP or licensors
Other agents have been known to drip-feed the media snippets of off-the-record information to unsettle things or start a bidding war.
CRYPTIC INTERVIEWS
Before Kane joined the England squad for this year’s Euros, he found time to sit down with Gary Neville to wax lyrical about his future on SkyBet’s The Overlap.
“I think it’s definitely a conversation to be had with the club,” he confessed about his future.
“I want to be playing in the biggest games. The biggest moments.” And we know exactly what he meant.
With Tottenham failing to qualify for the Champions League, Kane won’t be playing in club football’s biggest competition next season.
Kane’s fellow Three Lions forward Raheem Sterling managed to upset the apple cart when he appeared on the BBC in 2015 when he was at Liverpool.
The ex-QPR youth star admitted he was “flattered” by Arsenal’s interest in him and claimed he wasn’t a mercenary.
After that revelation, his former agent Aidy Ward said Sterling wouldn’t be staying at Anfield, even if the club offered him a £900,000-per-week contract.
The Reds’ then-manager Brendan Rodgers was left bemused and labelled Sterling’s actions a “mistake”.
The player got what he wanted, though, signing for Manchester City that summer.
Harry Kane told Gary Neville on SkyBet’s The OverlapCredit: Sky Sports
Raheem Sterling’s former agent Aidy Ward helped his client engineer a move away from Liverpool
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter and Instagram have (perhaps dangerously) given footballers a platform to tell the world their feelings.
And when they’re feeling unsettled at their clubs, what better way to go than blast them on social media.
Former Tottenham star Darren Bent gave us a the first proper example when he took on Daniel Levy in 2009.
“Seriously getting pissed off now,” he began with a tweet.
“Why can’t anything be simple. It’s so frustrating hanging round doing jack s***. Do I wanna go Hull City NO. Do I wanna go stoke NO do I wanna go sunderland YES so stop f****** around, Levy. Sunderland are not the problem in the slightest.”
Of course, Levy’s ‘f****** around’ was designed to get a mega-fee for the striker. It was a deal that rose to £16.5million in the end.
THE OLD FASHIONED WAY
It is and always will be the way many will follow… and that’s to make like the Tube and go on strike.
Diego Costa got himself crossed off Antonio Conte’s Christmas card list, when he blasted the Italian boss in an interview in his native Brazil.
Diego Costa went on strike after falling out with manager Antonio ConteCredit: Getty – Contributor
The fiery forward claimed Conte sent him a text message saying he was no longer wanted by the West Londoners.
Costa felt Chelsea were blocking his move to Atletico Madrid and threatened to down tools and stay in Brazil for a year, even if the club fined him.
Months later, he was unveiled as an Atletico player.
Another top talent who dismayed his employers was ex-West Ham star Dimitri Payet.
The French midfielder wanted to move home for family reasons in January 2017, and when Marseille declared an interest in him Payet vowed to do anything to get his move.
That anything was nothing as he went missing from training and manager Slaven Bilic said he’d never play for the club again.
The Hammers felt betrayed, especially after awarding the playmaker a £125,000-per-week contract the previous season.
Before the end of the January transfer window, Payet got what he wanted – a move away.
The question remains; will Harry Kane get one, too?

Dimitri Payet forced a move away from West Ham by going on strike like Harry Kane has done with SpursCredit: PA:Press Association

Tottenham fine Harry Kane for his training no-show and will not reduce £160m asking price for Man City transfer More

DAVID BECKHAM’s Inter Miami project hasn’t quite gone to plan – but at least they can guarantee some sun.Their inaugural season as an MLS club ended up going out with a whimper with the club missing out on the 2020 playoffs..
David Beckham’s MLS franchise enjoyed their first full season this yearCredit: Alamy Live News
David Beckham is hoping to bring the world’s best talent to his Miami teamCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It was hoped the arrival of former Manchester United team-mate Phil Neville as manager might improve things this term – but they are bottom of the Eastern Conference.
But it all started with bold ambitions.
At a press conference initially announcing the club, Becks made noises that he was regularly speaking to the world’s best talent to lure them to his project.
Olivier Giroud, who has just signed for AC Milan, was recently linked with a move to the club, and was reportedly offered a £4million apartment to live in. 
While even Lionel Messi has hinted that he wants to play his final days in the US – with Miami favourites to land his signature.
So what can any prospective transfer targets expect from a life in Miami?
Join SunSport in lending the former Man United great a hand in making ‘The Magic City’ the go-to destination for the best footballers in the world.
THE WEATHER
While you may have to be wary of the odd tropical storm here and there, Miami weather is mostly perfect.
January averages around 20 degrees Celsius, while winter highs range between 23-27 degrees Celsius.
The wet season starts in May and ends mid-October, but the temperatures are between 27-35 degrees Celsius and it’s insanely humid.
Good job the football season starts in May, otherwise it would be hell playing in those conditions.
Blue skies and sunshine decorate the high skyscrapers of MiamiCredit: Getty – Contributor
Miami Beach is the best place for a footballer to top up their tanCredit: Alamy
THE BEACHES
They say life’s a beach… Miami has several from Key Biscayne to North Beach, where prime athletes can bronze themselves on a daily basis.
There’s the 21st to 45th street beach, which runs alongside the Miami Beach boardwalk and South Pointe Park.
Some of the world’s best hotels and restaurants are nearby, so it’s the perfect spot.
Anyone feeling active could head to Lummus Beach where volleyball courts are available to rent or there’s thatched huts to lounge under.
Haulover Beach boasts white sands and a choppy sea, ideal for surfers.
On Tuesday nights there’s a food truck festival with live music and local foods for the whole family.
South Pointe Park is perfect for a stroll or jog for a Beckham transfer targetCredit: Getty – Contributor
Miami Beach is the perfect location for any footballerCredit: Getty – Contributor
David Beckham won’t have trouble selling the white sands of Miami BeachCredit: Getty – Contributor
THE RESTAUANTS
Miami’s cuisine is fit for a king and is influenced by the ocean with plenty of seafood on offer.
Latin American foods are key here, so most restaurants boast many Cuban-influenced dishes – most meaty based.
The most exclusive restaurants in town are Terrazza in the Shore Club Hotel, Zuma in the heart of downtown Miami and Jaya at the Setai Hotel.
Jaya is a favourite of the likes of Jay Z and Bono whenever they’re in town, with menu highlights including a whole branzino for a reasonable £27.
Terrazza’s Italian by-the pool fare will attract many footballers wanting to load up on carbs.
While Zuma’s light Japanese meals will have weight-conscious footballers frothing at the mouth.
Eating by the pool at the Shore Club Hotel is what most sports stars do in Miami
Jay Z and Bono are fans of the Jaya at The Setai hotelCredit: Jaya at The Setai, http://www.thesetaihotel.com/
Footballers will love the Asian cuisine on offer at the JayaCredit: Jaya at The Setai, http://www.thesetaihotel.com/
Footballers could rest poolside at The Setai hotel during preseasonCredit: Jaya at The Setai, http://www.thesetaihotel.com/
THE STADIUM
Central to Beckham’s Miami franchise is a super stadium fit for the best players in the world.
The 18,000 all-seater arena is in the Overtown neighbourhood, near the Miami River, and was originally met with some controversy from the locals who didn’t think a stadium should be built on the site.
A world-class training centre sits next door to the stadium and boasts first class facilities.
However, be sure that it will be a state-of-the-art venue, not only fit for football, but ready to house concerts featuring the world’s leading pop stars.
Interestingly, it won’t be the biggest stadium in the country, but it’ll surely be a sellout week in/week out with Beckham involved.
David Beckham’s Miami stadium is fit for any top footballerCredit: Splash News
THE CELEBRITY CULTURE
After all, this lot can’t be wrong.
The most famous faces in the world choose Miami as a holiday destination, pouring in on their private jets regularly during the summer.
Some celebrities even call Miami home, so any footballer who wants to embrace celebrity culture should look no further.
Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias, Lenny Kravitz, Sean Combs, Matt Damon and Jennifer Lopez all have lavish homes in Miami.
Most opt for Star Island, so expect footballers to be checking out homes in that area.
With footballers making the crossover into movies and TV, major productions in the city are on the rise.
Could the team feature in The Rock’s show ‘Ballers’ in a future episode?
A Miami-based footballer could be mates with Anna Kournikova and Enrique IglesiasCredit: Getty – Contributor
Sean Combs loves living the Miami lifestyleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
You could bump into Jennifer Lopez living in MiamiCredit: Fame Flynet
Matt Damon is an active celebrity in Miami circlesCredit: Getty – Contributor
SPORTS CULTURE
Anyone moving to Miami will have to be very aware of the sports culture that runs through the city’s veins.
Although the Miami Dolphins haven’t tasted Superbowl success since 1974, they’re steeped in NFL history thanks to legendary quarterback Dan Marino.
The NBA team Miami Heat was the one-time home of LeBron James when they picked up consecutive championships in 2012 and 2013.
They’re also represented in the MLB by the Marlins, who are co-owned by NY Yankee great Derek Jeter and have won two World Championships.
The Miami Heat are the most successful sports franchise currently in the cityCredit: USA TODAY Sports
David Beckham’s football team could have cheerleaders like the Miami HeatCredit: Getty – Contributor
David Beckham’s Miami franchise will rival the Miami Dolphins for fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Any single footballer may be interested in dating a Miami Dolphin cheerleaderCredit: Corbis
The Miami Marlins are favourites of the Hispanic communityCredit: Getty – Contributor
BAYSIDE MARKETPLACE
For shopping and dining, incoming footballers will look no further than taking a stroll along Bayside Marketplace.
Wrapping along the bay walls of the bank, it boasts designer shops, posh restaurants and a great vibe that encompasses all that’s great about Miami.
Incidentally, Miami Vice often filmed episodes here, so if it’s good enough for Don Johnson…
Bayside Marketplace offers fine dining and shoppingCredit: Getty – Contributor
Bayside Marketplace was where Miami Vice was mostly filmedCredit: Getty – Contributor

OCEAN DRIVE
No doubt any big-name Beckham signing will be driving a fresh motor.
With that in mind, they’ll definitely want to cruise down Ocean Drive with its surrounding Art Deco hotels and bars.
The Clevelander Hotel, with its bar and massive swimming pool provide a great spot to grab a refresher in the hot heat.
You’ll be mad not to be impressed by the architecture.
It’s an amazing experience for any tourist and any future Beckham signing.
So, where do we sign up?
Ocean Drive boasts some of Miami’s best hotels and barsCredit: Getty – Contributor
Ocean Drive is a haven for Art Deco buildings and is perfect for footballers to cruise downCredit: Getty – Contributor
Ocean Drive comes alive at nighttime with its bustling nightlifeCredit: Getty – Contributor
EVERGLADES
On the list of must-do things in Miami – and Becks doesn’t even need to sell the tourist haven – is the Everglades.
Unlike anything in the world, it’s your best chance of seeing a crocodile swimming in its natural habitat.
Over 1.5 acres long, the wetlands begin in Orlando at the Kissimmee River and end at Lake Okeechobee.
The Everglades is one of Miami’s most famous tourist attractionsCredit: Getty – Contributor
You could see crocodiles on a tour of the EvergladesCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

IT IS amazing to think of Brazil having a long running problem at centre forward. But it is the plain truth.Back in 2006 everything seemed to be covered. The great Ronaldo was leaving the scene, but Adriano seemed ready to take over.
Matheus Cunha could be the answer to Brazil’s problems at centre forwardCredit: Reuters
But Adriano was dogged by psychological problems, the centre forward in the 2010 World Cup ended up being Luis Fabiano – good, but not great.
Then things got worse. As so often, Brazil were deceived by the Confederations Cup, and went into their home World Cup in 2014 with Fred leading their attack.
It was not a success – so much so that, bizarrely in a game lost by the margin of 7-1, the crowd picked on Fred as the villain and jeered him in that fateful semi-final against Germany.
There was no clear choice for the role for the next couple of years, until, in the last eighteen months of Russia 2018, the youthful Gabriel Jesus appeared to have supplied the solution.
Come the competition, his limitations as a penalty area operator became clear – he is one of the very few Brazilian centre forwards who have gone through a World Cup without scoring a single goal.
Since then he has operated as a wide striker. The man most used through the middle has been Roberto Firmino.
But this, too, has not been a conspicuous success. He is much more of a false nine than a traditional target man, and Brazil are set up in a very different way from Liverpool.
The recent Copa America, when Brazil lost in the final after scoring just twice in three knock out games, highlighted that all is not right with the attack.
Matheus Cunha, is rangy and quick, two footed and versatile and he is very proficient at playing with his back to goal – which it is exactly what Neymar needsTim Vickery
The answer may be emerging from the Olympic tournament. Richarlison has got most of the goals.
But his attacking partner is also doing himself proud. Matheus Cunha of Hertha Berlin is looking very interesting.
He was top scorer in the qualification campaign at the start of last year, and though his finishing in the Tokyo Games has at times left something to be desired, he did score the only goal of the quarter final against Egypt.
More impressive, though, is his all round game. He is rangy and quick, two footed and versatile and – most interesting from the point of view of the senior side – he is very proficient at playing with his back to goal.
This is vital because it is exactly what Neymar needs.
At senior level Brazil’s attack is built around the Paris Saint Germain star. But the opposition have been finding it two easy to close down his space.
What Neymar has been lacking is a good back to goal striker to force the opposing defensive line backwards and open up space in front.
This is Matheus Cunha’s game. It is one he might not be able to show in Tuesday’s Olympic semi final against Mexico.
Towards the end of the Egypt game on Saturday, Cunha pulled up with a muscular problem.
He was forced off, and Brazil have been working on him intensively in a bid to get him fit to face the Mexicans.

This race against time is important in the context of the Olympic campaign. But it has little relevance in the long run.
The important question is whether he can carry his qualities into the senior side and help them win the World Cup – the one that really matters.
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