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      Bournemouth slap £75million price tag on Antoine Semenyo as Premier League rivals circle for Ghana winger

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      BOURNEMOUTH will slap a £75million price tag on Antoine Semenyo to ward off interest from Premier League rivals.Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool are eyeing a summer move for the Ghana winger, 25.Antoine Semenyo has caught the eye of several clubs this seasonCredit: GETTYBournemouth have slapped a £75million asking price on the Ghana wingerCredit: REXBut Cherries are determined not to allow anyone to pick off their best players on the cheap.They regard a £75m valuation as justified by similar sums paid for other, less effective Prem wingers like Manchester United outcast Antony and suspended Chelsea flop Mykhailo Mudryk.Bournemouth technical director Simon Francis and president of football operations Tiago Pinto are understood to be calm about the situation.They are ready for a busy summer of ins and outs, especially if the club qualify for European competition for the first time ever this season.READ MORE SPORTS NEWSSemenyo has scored nine goals and provided six assists in 32 appearances for Bournemouth this season.In total, he’s scored a total of 16 goals and provided seven assists for the Cherries.Semenyo has flourished under new Toffees boss Andoni Iraola, who he heaped praise on at the start of the season.After bagging a goal on the opening day of the season, he said: “It’s important.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”I felt like I can help the team in so many dynamics. “I am happy the manager trusts me across the front three.Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen couldn’t be happier being nominated for Premier League player of the month “A bit of a roller coaster going up and down, left and right and down the right, but I’m glad the manager trusts me in that sense.”Semenyo and his Bournemouth team-mates will be back in action this evening, welcoming Manchester City to the Vitality Stadium for their FA Cup quarter-final clash. More

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      ‘Brilliant, powerful’ – Emotional Man Utd legend Roy Keane was visibly moved by Ian Wright interview

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane is renowned for being one of the toughest players in Premier League history.But he once showed his emotional side when complimenting friend and colleague Ian Wright live on TV.Roy Keane showed his emotional side after being touched by an Ian Wright interviewCredit: ITVKeane is known for being one of the toughest players in Premier League historyCredit: GettyBack in February 2022, ITV broadcast an interview with then-Boreham Wood striker Adrian Clifton during its coverage of the FA Cup fourth round.Clifton had been mentored by Wright for 13 years after they met while filming ‘Football Behind Bars’.Having served time in a young offender’s institution, the forward accepted guidance from the Arsenal legend to make his own way in football.The duo reunited three years ago, just before Boreham Wood’s FA Cup clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAnd after watching the footage live on TV while working as a pundit with Wright, Keane became visibly emotional.Reaching over and touching the knee of his colleague, the United icon said: “Brilliant, very powerful. Great story, well done, Wrighty.”You gave him a bit of hope. Brilliant stuff. Absolutely brilliant.”Former Premier League hardman Keane has built a reputation for himself over the years with his no-nonsense approach on and off the pitch.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordHowever, this week he admitted that he became emotional after winning a prestigious award.The 53-year-old was named Pundit of the Year at the British Sports Journalism Awards on Monday.Roy Keane left emotional on ITV as Man Utd hardman reveals ‘it’s nice to be recognised’ In the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, he said it was “nice to be recognised” for his work.Keane explained: “I feel quite emotional at winning the Pundit of the Year award at the Sports Journalists’ Association Awards.”It’s nice being recognised but I don’t have the ego about wanting to win the award – it’s all about working as a team and we’re a team on the podcast, and I’m also part of a team at Sky Sports.” More

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      ‘It’s hugely important’ – Shay Given fires warning to Newcastle despite Carabao Cup triumph

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      SHAY GIVEN hailed Newcastle’s Carabao Cup heroes but warned they need Champions League qualification to reach “next level”.Eddie Howe’s side ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought when beating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley a fortnight ago.Shay Given spoke to SunSport in his role as brand ambassador for CopyBetCredit: CopyBetThe Magpies ended 70-years of hurt at Wembley this monthCredit: GettyToon’s much-loved former goalkeeper Given was part of the Manchester City squad that lifted the 2011 FA Cup to kickstart their Middle East revolution.But with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, the Irishman says it will take Newcastle’s Saudi owners a lot longer to get to the top.And that is why they cannot rest on their cup-winning laurels this term and must do everything possible to return to the Champions League.Given, speaking in his role as brand ambassador for sports betting platform CopyBet, told SunSport: “The City lads really kicked on and obviously got the Premier League titles and other things that followed.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL“Hopefully it’ll be the same sort of pattern for Newcastle but I don’t think it’ll be straightforward because there’s all sorts of different legislations in place now that might make it take longer.“It’s an unbelievable achievement what they have done to lift that burden after 70 years but there is still a prize to play for with Champions League qualification.“That is, probably for the club to go on to the next level, nearly as important if not more than picking up the Carabao Cup.“What that would mean is they can strengthen again and regenerate the money back into the playing squad. At the end of the day, that’s only where you’re going to really challenge for a Premier League title, Champions League and things like that.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“Eddie Howe and the powers that be in Newcastle understand that as well. So, there’s so much to play for this season in the remaining games. It’s hugely important to get that Champions League spot.”And sealing a return to Europe’s top club competition is not only vitally important for the club coffers and PSR.Eddie Howe fights back tears as he dedicates Carabao Cup to late mum as Newcastle hero Dan Burn says ‘don’t wake me up’It would also help them to keep hold of £150m-rated top scorer Alexander Isak amid interest from Barcelona, Liverpool and Arsenal.And he insists that the Swedish hitman is the perfect man for Howe to build a side around to challenge the big boys.Given added: “The one player in the whole squad I don’t think you can afford to lose Isak.“It would send such a wrong message to everyone. It would put you back and leave a massive hole on what probably is the most important position on your team.“Hopefully Champions League will come and that’ll keep others from trying to lure Alexander away.“He’s the player that you can build around for years to come and he’s the kind of player that you can challenge at the very top with.”Shay Given is a brand ambassador for sports betting platform CopyBet. Visit CopyBet.comKeeping Alexander Isak is a must for the Magpies, says their legendary former goalieCredit: AlamyHow ‘big angel’ Joelinton rescued boss after he fainted in SubwayNEWCASTLE cult hero Joelinton rescued his old boss after he fainted in Subway.And coach Pellegrino Matarazzo still calls the Brazilian his ‘angel’.Matarazzo was Joelinton assistant manager during the midfielder’s spell in Germany with Hoffenheim.Recalling the scary incident, the Matarazzo revealed: “I was standing in the queue and I wasn’t feeling well.“I tried to go over to the Coca-Cola machine to quickly get a drink.”I realised I was about to faint, and I did faint.“When I opened my eyes I saw Joelinton! ‘Rino, Rino, are you okay?'”He was like a small, no a big, angel – Joelinton, what are you doing here?”Read the full story… More

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      Marcus Rashford delighted by messages from former Man Utd team-mates after England recall

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      MARCUS RASHFORD was left feeling united with former team-mates after they shared their joy at his England recall.The forward, who joined Aston Villa on loan in January, has endured a difficult relationship with some Old Trafford players.Marcus Rashford received well wishes from his Man Utd team-mates after his England recallCredit: RexBut he was delighted when stars including Bruno Fernandes, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire and Joshua Zirkzee congratulated him on starting in Thomas Tuchel’s first two games in charge.He had not featured in an England squad since March 2024 against Brazil.After Tuchel announced his squad, Rashford, 27, posted an image of himself in an England shirt with the caption: “Never stop believing. Can’t wait to get started.”Fernandes responded: “Love to see it.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLEx-United aces David de Gea and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were also supportive.A source said: “Marcus had experienced a difficult time for several months, if not years, before he finally went on loan from United.“He’s definitely in a happier head space — but does worry a little that his 20 years at United have been forgotten.“He still loves the club and was really happy to see some of the past and present players offering their support to him and making him feel loved. It meant a lot to him.”Most read in FootballEngland ratings vs Albania as Lewis-Skelly enjoys dream debut but Tuchel fails to solve Foden issue By Tom BarclayMYLES LEWIS-SKELLY made history and Harry Kane extended his own record-breaking as England sunk Albania in Thomas Tuchel’s first game.Lewis-Skelly became the youngest player to score on his Three Lions debut and top goal-getter Kane notched his 70th international strike as Tuchel began his World Cup qualifying campaign with a modest 2-0 win.New boy Dan Burn partnered Ezri Konsa in central defence at Wembley, while Marcus Rashford and Curtis Jones were also handed starts.Meanwhile, Tuchel wrestled with the same issue faced by predecessor Sir Gareth Southgate – deciding where to fit in Phil Foden.Left-back Lewis-Skelly, 18, slotted home on 20 minutes following a delightful turn and even better pass from Jude Bellingham.But England stuttered after the break – until skipper Kane classily took down a Declan Rice pass and curved home the clincher.Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Three Lions in German manager Tuchel’s opening match…CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSRashford has played nine matches for Villa and has four assists but is still yet to score.Villa have a £40million option to buy Rashford in the summer with United willing to sell.Marcus Rashford says joining Aston Villa from Man Utd was an easy decision More

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      David Moyes plotting shock transfer raid on Liverpool and EFL takeover to collapse – latest exclusives from Alan Nixon

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      ALAN NIXON is SunSport’s Boss of Goss.Check out this week’s red-hot transfer whispers from our main man in the know…Scotland’s Ben Doak could be set for a surprise move in the summerCredit: PATOFFEE TWISTEVERTON boss David Moyes is ready to jump into the chase for Scotland’s new star Ben Doak in a sensational raid on neighbours Liverpool.Moyes is planning a swoop on his old rivals for the winger when he comes up for sale in the summer at about £25million.The Toffees want a wide man and Doak, 19, is firmly in their sights – despite the rarity of a cross-city move between the clubs.Only a handful have gone from Liverpool to Everton, with Peter Beardsley and the late Gary Ablett among a very elite group.However, Moyes is a huge fan of Doak, whose pace and trickery would add something to his hard-working squad.Bournemouth are keen on the teenager as we revealed, while Crystal Palace’s move for him is now in doubt.Liverpool may prefer Doak to go to the Cherries but Everton’s interest will alert the player, who is set to have a major say on his future.Meanwhile, Toffees’ chief scout Dan Purdy could get a reprieve in the club’s big backroom shake-up.Purdy’s position is under review but incoming chief executive Angus Kinnear is a known fan.Director of football Kevin Thelwell has already gone and a reshuffle is imminent but Purdy may stay on in a new capacity.Ben Doak gives hilarious answers at Middlesbrough Q&A SAIN OF THE TIMESSheffield United are preparing to swoop for Borja SainzCredit: AlamySHEFFIELD UNITED want to sign Norwich’s goal machine Borja Sainz – whether they make the Premier League or not.Blades’ American owners are willing to splash out on the Spaniard, 24, if they are back in the top flight or not.Sainz enters the last year of his deal this summer, and the Canaries may be forced to sell if he does not sign an extension.United are willing to pay over £10million for the 18-goal midfielder – even though they are well off in that position.SKY’S THE LIMITCaleb Kporha is wanted by Frank Lampard at CoventryCredit: GettyCRYSTAL PALACE are fighting to keep teenage right-back Caleb Kporha – with Frank Lampard’s Coventry in hot pursuit.Kporha, 18, has made a first-team debut but is yet to sign a new long-term deal.Cov want to offer a quicker route to starts and that may tempt the ex-Welling starlet.The Eagles want him to stay but will have to offer big terms.Meanwhile, Exeter want to get Palace keeper Joe  Whitworth, 21, back for a second season on loan.CITY SLICKERJuma Bah could make his City bow in the Club World CupCredit: GettyMANCHESTER CITY new boy Juma Bah is hoping for a Club World Cup call in the summer.The giant 18-year-old defender has been a stand-out for Lens on loan  in France and also starred for Sierra Leone against Egypt last week.Bah is due to return to City next season and he wants an earlier chance.Lens would like to keep Bah on loan but he wants City game time – or a Prem stint on loan.WALK-OVERMATT HOLLAND was always one of the fittest players around — and the former midfielder has still got it.Holland, 50, walked a staggering 113 miles in a recent MND charity event – the furthest covered by any of the ex-pros.The ex-Ipswich and Charlton star was one of dozens of former players walking while others joined in after appearing in the Liverpool Legends game last Saturday.KEV DOWN UNDERNewcastle legend Kevin Keegan is proving popular in AusCredit: GettyKEVIN KEEGAN is wanted in Australia – as a special guest at Blacktown City.Legend Keegan came out of retirement to play a couple of games for the New South Wales side in 1985. Now the club want their most famous player back for a bash to mark the 40th anniversary of his two appearances for them.SHREW-D DECISIONSHREWSBURY’S takeover talks with a US group are about to collapse.A lengthy period of exclusivity ends tomorrow and the Yanks have backed away from the deal to buy the League One strugglers, who saw boss Gareth Ainsworth quit on Tuesday.The current regime may look for new buyers at a reduced price once their relegation fate is sealed.WICKED WHISPERWHICH England player was leaking to mates he would be a shock selection in Thomas Tuchel’s first team?The squad man told chums he would be in the side and word spread on the grapevine that he would be named.But nobody in the media ran the tip-off off and, worse still, he was left on the bench to his embarrassment. More

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      Liverpool believe they’ve won £50million Milos Kerkez transfer race as Man Utd set to miss out on Bournemouth star

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      LIVERPOOL believe they have won the battle to sign £50million-rated left-back Milos Kerkez.The Bournemouth defender is one of Europe’s most wanted men after a sparkling season.Liverpool are hot on the heels of Bournemouth ace Milos KerkezCredit: GETTYThe Reds believe they’ve nailed down a move for the 21-year-old defenderCredit: AFPManchester United are also keen on the 21-year-old.But a move to Arne Slot’s champions-elect is all but nailed down.Kerkez is under contract until 2028, although Bournemouth will do business if the price is right. He is said to favour Anfield, where he would link up with fellow Hungarian and international team-mate Dominik SzoboszlaiREAD MORE SPORTS NEWSThe two were on Nations League duty together last week.And Szoboszlai would not have wasted the chance to convince him that Merseyside was the best option.Kerkez cost just £14m from AZ two years ago and has been one of the stand-out performers in leading Bournemouth towards their highest-ever Premier League finish.His move raises doubts over Andy Robertson’s long-term Reds future.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKRobertson’s form has shown signs of dipping this season after eight outstanding years.Kerkez will be the first arrival in a busy summer for Kop boss Slot,  set to lose Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.Arne Slot makes embarrassing blunder in Liverpool press conference as he ‘forgets Cristiano Ronaldo played for Man Utd’ There is also uncertainty over the future of captain Virgil van Dijk and leading scorer Mo Salah, as they have yet to agree new deals.The Reds will be back in action on Wednesday, hosting bitter rivals Everton at Anfield.The arrival of Milos Kerkez at Anfield could spell the end of Andy Robertson’s Kop careerCredit: GETTY More

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      Man City cough up £30MILLION on lawyers to fight Premier League’s 115 charges – more than star defender’s wages

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      MANCHESTER CITY have spent over £30million on lawyers to fight the Premier League’s 115 charges.The latest accounts for parent company City Football Group shows that City had splashed a running total of £30,596,000 on legal fees in the war against PL chiefs over alleged rule breaches by the end of the 2023-24 campaign.Manchester City have spent more than £30million on lawyers fighting Prem chargesCredit: GettyThe club have won six titles since Pep Guardiola took over in 2016Credit: PAThat was an increase of nearly £10.7m on the figure from 12 months before – or £205,000 per week.The staggering sum is equivalent to what Josko Gvardiol, one of City’s top 10 earning players last season, was paid.CFG said in documents filed at Companies House that the £30,596,000 was “due to expenses incurred by City Football Group Limited on behalf of Newton Investment and Management”.NIM is the Abu Dhabi-based company through which Sheikh Mansour owns his majority stake in CFG, which in turn owns City and a number of other clubs worldwide.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSunSport understands that this money is the running total of City’s legal costs in their war against the Prem chief.And the bill for this season is set to be the highest yet.The main disciplinary case between the Premier League and the club was heard between September and December, with the three-person independent panel set to deliver their verdict in the coming weeks.Respected lawyer Lord Pannick KC was hired by the club in February last year to lead their legal team as they looked to clear their name.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKLord Pannick reportedly charges around £5,000 an hour for his services.By splashing out such huge sums City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan is only making good on his alleged vow when City were fighting previous financial charges brought by Uefa.Inside Man City’s £300MILLION new stadium upgrade with futuristic Etihad project to rival AnfieldIn 2020, al-Nahyan was reported to have said he would said”“rather spend £30million on the 50 best lawyers” and sue Uefa “for the next 10 years” than accept their punishment.His remark came after the club were banned from the Champions League for two years and hit with a £25million fine, after being found of falsely inflating their sponsorship revenues when submitting accounts.The ban was overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) a few months later and the fine was reduced to £8.9million for their “disregard” of the principle of cooperation in investigations.City deny wrongdoing over the 115 charges, but could face severe punishments if the allegations are proven.Last month City won a separate legal battle with the Premier League over “unlawful” financial rules.An 18-page tribunal verdict ruled the Prem’s sponsorship regulations on Associated Party Transactions – which ran from December 2021 to November 2024 – were unlawful in their entirety.The Premier League recently warned its clubs that it spent more than £45million on legal bills last season, due to various disputes over its financial regulations. More

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      Marcus Rashford got his Man Utd break when I got injured – I knew there was no way back after that

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      WILL KEANE wants to get one over former Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford today.Forward Keane, 32, scored in Preston’s 3-0 win over Burnley that brought the Championship side a first appearance in the FA Cup quarter-finals since 1965-66.Former Man Utd star Will Keane is set to face off against Aston Villa in the FA CupCredit: GettyThe 32-year-old now plays for Preston North EndCredit: GettyMarcus Rashford broke into the first team at United after Keane got injuredCredit: AP:Associated PressMeanwhile, a rejuvenated Rashford has worked his way back into the England team thanks to four assists since joining Villa on loan from United in January.Ironically, an injury to former academy graduate Keane partly contributed to Rashford making his senior United debut as an 18-year-old in February 2016.Keane, who left Old Trafford during the summer of that year, said: “It was probably unfortunate timing for myself.”Football is all about timing and making the most of those moments.READ MORE ON FOOTBALL”The way it fell into place for Marcus at that time, he took his opportunity when it came.”I’m sure it was only a matter of time when that was going to come for him, maybe it came a bit sooner than he expected – but he definitely made the most of it when he burst on to the scene.”When I got back fit, I knew it was probably time to move on.”When you come through the academy as a United fan, you always want to keep hold of that dream of making it there, which I think before a couple of long-term injuries definitely I could see the potential.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK”It didn’t quite pan out but I’ve still had a lot of good clubs and a long career after that.”I’ve not seen Marcus for a couple of years. I think, especially the last couple of months, seeing him back with a smile upon his face has been great.Ruben Amorim brings up Marcus Rashford as he vows to talk to Garnacho after Man Utd star stormed down tunnel”It looks like he’s enjoying football.”Hopefully he can have an off day for this one if he’s playing — but it will be great to see him.”Keane rates North End’s Cup run as one of the highlights of his career.He said: “It’s up there. “The manager Paul Heckingbottom made it clear when he came in that a good cup run can bring everyone together and help drive the season. It’s definitely done that.”It’s helped get a bit of momentum going – especially with every tie being at home, it’s been good to go through that journey with the fans. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Hopefully we can go one step further. It’s definitely a great challenge for all of us. “We’re the only Championship team left in the competition, and that’s something we all aspire to be, Premier League players.” More