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      ‘Appalling’ – Fans demand Brandon Glanton reprimanded after sick threat to give Chris Billam-Smith brain damage

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      BRANDON GLANTON was slammed for shamefully vowing to give opponent Chris Billam-Smith “brain damage”.The cruiserweight rivals meet on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn’s grudge match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.Brandon Glanton has been slammed for his comments about Chris Billam-SmithCredit: PAGlanton vowed to give Chris Billam-Smith ‘brain damage’Credit: GettyAnd American Glanton branded Billam-Smith a “b***h” for not shaking his hand in 2023 after the Brit’s victory over Lawrence Okolie.He said: “I stuck my hand out, he walked straight past me. It’s disrespectful. “I said in interviews, we’re men before we’re fighters, right? And he’s a father before he’s a fighter so your son has a b***h as a father.”I don’t care about these cameras, these lights, I’m going to f*** you up. That’s why I’m here. It’s not a show everyone knows, I’m going to give you brain damage.”READ MORE IN BOXINGGlanton’s disgusting comments were rightly slammed by fans online as one said: “Brandon Glanton should be reprimanded for his comments on Chris Billam-Smith.”Absolutely no need for that sort of language.”Another added: “Brandon Glanton is a clown. Scummy thing to say in an already dangerous sport.”Why’s he going in that much on CBS? One of the nicest guys in boxing.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSOne fumed: “In a sport like boxing there needs to consequences for saying you want to give someone brain damage. Appalling.”Another said: “Brandon Glanton absolutely sucks.”EXCLUSIVE: Chris Eubank Jr’s promoter teases stunning Conor Benn rematch at Old Trafford over 30 years after dads’ famous fightClassy Billam-Smith – the former WBO champion – hit back: “I’ll leave my talking to Saturday.”The Bournemouth boxer beat Okolie for the WBO and made two defences of the title until losing it to Gilberto Ramirez in November.Glanton meanwhile is 20-2 with 17 knockouts.Chris Billam-Smith and Brandon Glanton face off ahead of the Cruiserweight fightCredit: Getty More

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      Jamie Vardy’s incredible career saw him win Golden Boot in non-league AND Prem as magical 13-year Leicester spell ends

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      JAMIE VARDY is the glittering success story of the English football pyramid, a star that went from non-league to Premier League and captured fans’ hearts along the way.Vardy, 38, has announced that he is calling it quits on his 13-year spell with Leicester City in an emotional video following the Foxes’ relegation from the top flight.Jamie Vardy has announced he is leaving Leicester CityCredit: GettyThe venomous bagsman has graced the Champions League, won the Premier League, lifted the FA Cup and played 26 times for the England national team.But even he wouldn’t have expected to hit those heights when he was kicking about with Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town and Fleetwood in his early days.OWL ASPIRATIONSSome kids grow up wanting to be Lionel Messi, David Beckham or Thierry Henry – playing at the top level and winning trophies and individual accolades.But Vardy’s idol growing up was someone much closer to home, Sheffield Wednesday striker David Hirst.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVardy, a boyhood Owls fan, revealed in his autobiography: “I didn’t want to be anybody else. Once I had a ball at my feet, which was every spare moment of the day, I became the legend that played upfront for the club I loved.”I idolised David Hirst because he did exactly what I wanted to do – score goals for Sheffield Wednesday.”Vardy was a huge Sheffield Wednesday fan as a kidFOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPSVardy’s dream to be a Wednesday star almost came true when he signed for the club as a youngster.The striker impressed former Owls academy director Clive Baker in a trial at Middlewood, the club’s training ground in Hillsborough, and earned himself a place in their youth set-up.Most read in FootballBut those dreams were then snatched away from him at age 15, when the academy coaches at Wednesday axed him – a decision that almost saw him hang up his boots.He revealed: “It was 2002 when I was fired from the Sheffield Wednesday Academy at the age of 15.”At a meeting at the end of the season with my coaches, I was told that I was not kept because I was too small… it was terrible.“From there, I stopped playing football for almost a year. At the weekend, I did everything and anything but not football. I said to myself: ‘There’s no point in continuing, I’m not made for that.”Vardy during his days with the Sheffield Wednesday academy Jamie Vardy reveals best XI he’s played with at Leicester with huge snub to England stars and entire current squadA NON-LEAGUE RETURNAfter a year away from the game, Vardy returned to the pitch with his ambition reinstated and his eyes on achieving something.This time he joined local team Stocksbridge Park Steels, where he played U18s football before making the step up to the first team in 2006.At 19 years old – the age most future stars are making their Premier League debuts – Vardy was playing in the eighth tier of English football.And he was doing it while balancing a job at a carbon fibre factory, supplementing his £30-per-week wages with the football club.His time with Stocksbridge was a far cry from the top flight, and Vardy even found his career being hampered by police intervention following an altercation outside a nightclub in 2007.Despite pleading his innocence claiming he was defending a friend who was deaf, he was found guilty and was forced to play in an ankle tag.In some games he could only play 60 minutes as he had to get home to ensure he didn’t miss his 6pm curfew.A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTIONVardy spent four years in the Steels first team, scoring 66 times in 107 games.Naturally, he was attracting the interest of teams in the leagues above him as a result.Crewe Alexandra took him on trial, but turned him down after just one week.Closer to home, Rotherham presented a contract to him but Vardy chose not to accept it.Finally he landed on a switch to Halifax Town, who signed him for just £15,000 in 2010.Vardy spent just one year with Halifax, netting 26 goals in 37 games and winning the club’s Player of the Year.He helped fire the Shaymen to the title, earning himself a switch to Conference Premier club Fleetwood Town for the following campaign.Jamie Vardy scoring a goal for Halifax TownCredit: Halifax CourierWHO VAR YA?It was the biggest step in Vardy’s career so far, he was climbing up the divisions and earning a reputation as an establishes goalscorer.But just because some people were starting to talk about him, didn’t mean everyone knew his name – including his team-mates.Vardy’s former Fleetwood strike partner Gareth Seddon told The Guardian: “I’d never heard of him. At first some of the lads were like: ‘Why have we signed this lad? From a few leagues below?’”Then, in his first game, he was unbelievable. And we were just: ‘That’s the reason he signed!’”I’ve never played with anyone as quick, I’ve been a professional for 18 years – he kind of glides across the pitch.”He’s got nothing to him, yet he was aggressive, and has energy. We did the bleep test and he just went and went and went. We were like: ‘Frigging hell!’”It was at Fleetwood where Vardy earned his first Golden Boot award, scoring 31 goals in 36 matches in his first season for The Fishermen.After playing Blackpool in the FA Cup, Tangerines manager Ian Holloway offered Fleetwood Town £750,000 for his services, which they turned down because they wanted £1million.Vardy was signed for Fleetwood Town after his success with HalifaxCredit: AlamyHis immediately impressive form had bigger clubs knockingCredit: GettyFOR FOX SAKEFleetwood finally got that £1m when a Championship Leicester City came knocking to try to freshen up their front line in 2012.But even after his sensational form in the lower leagues, fans still weren’t convinced.One supporter took to social media to write: “Leicester have signed non-league striker Jamie Vardy for £1m. What has football come to. Jesus Christ!!” How silly he would be made to look.Although, the angry fan did appear correct for a brief period as Vardy struggled to adapt to life in England’s second tier, scoring just five goals in 29 games in his first season.He revealed: “When you step up the leagues, the defenders are better at reading the game, better positioned, not as slow as everyone thinks a centre-half should be and that’s when I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.“I was realising that certain stuff I was doing the year before at Fleetwood wasn’t working. For myself and probably for people that were watching as well, it wasn’t good enough.”Vardy struggled in his first season as a Leicester playerCredit: Getty Images – GettyTHE 5000/1 SEASONVardy was determined to succeed despite a shaky start to life with the Foxes.His second campaign at Leicester saw him score 16 league goals as the club were promoted into the Prem, sealing Vardy’s gritty rise from the depths of the football pyramid to the top.Leicester narrowly avoided relegation during their first season back in the big-time, 2014/15, as Vardy managed just five league goals.Little did he know that he and his team-mates were about to embark on one of the greatest achievements in English football history when Leicester overcame 5000/1 odds to lift the Premier League the following season.Vardy scored an astonishing 24 league goals in the 2015/16 season as Leicester pulled off a miracle to become champions – while he set the record for scoring in the most consecutive Premier League games.That title meant Vardy would play Champions League football less than ten years after he had been balancing a factory job with his £30-per-week non-league contract.In the seasons that followed Vardy turned down an offer to sign for Arsenal in order to stay with Leicester after building a legacy with the club that had taken a risk on him all those years ago.Staying put also saw him win the Premier League golden boot in the 2019/20 season after scoring 23 goals as Leicester finished in the European places again.As well as winning the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021.Vardy helped Leicester win the Premier League in 2016Credit: PA:Press AssociationHe won the FA Cup with the Foxes in 2021 tooCredit: APThe striker was the Premier League top goalscorer during the 2019/20 seasonCredit: GettyCAUGHT LION?It was no surprise that England would come knocking at some point and Vardy was just as impressive on the international stage as he was at club level. Aged 28, Vardy wore the Three Lions on his chest during a friendly against Ireland.He would go on to earn 26 caps and score seven goals, representing England at both Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup.However, there was trouble in paradise when his involvement in the national team sparked the ‘Wagatha Chrstie’ drama between his wife Rebekah and England team-mate Wayne Rooney’s wife Coleen.Rebekah Vardy was accused of leaking stories about Coleen Rooney’s life to the media, something that ultimately ended in a high-profile libel trial.The trial swept the nation with Vardy and Rooney both supporting their wives at court.Vardy’s time with England led to drama involving teammate Wayne RooneyCredit: Getty Images – GettyRebekah Vardy and Coleen Rooney were entangled in a libel trial at High CourtCredit: PAVardy supported his wife during the trialCredit: PAEND OF AN ERAVardy never turned away from Leicester as he cemented his legacy as a club legend.That included sticking with them after their relegation from the Premier League in 2023, helping them bounce straight back up from the Championship with 18 goals during the 2023/24 season.But after the Foxes fell back down to Championship this season – in a dire record-breaking relegation campaign – Vardy has finally decided to call it quits on his 13-year spell with Leicester.The striker is on the brink of 500 appearances for the club, scoring 198 times and registering 69 assists.In an emotional video Vardy announced that he will be leaving Leicester at the end of the season.He said: “It’s something that I’ve thought about and spoken about with my family. I think it’s time.”I’ll be devastated on the day when it is the last [game], but good things, they come to an end.”It’s going to be one of those emotional days. Who knows which way that can go.”If you ask anyone, I’m not really an emotional guy.”Nothing like that ever comes across with me, but when you’ve been somewhere for so long, and it is time to say goodbye, you just never know what your personal reaction is going to be.Read More on The Sun”I’ve spent 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, and some downs, but the majority have all been highs.”It’s finally time to call it a day, which I’m devastated about it, but I think the timing it right.”Vardy leaves Leicester with a stunning haul of achievementsCredit: GettyThe striker will go down as a club legendCredit: AP More

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      in Boxing

      Arsenal fan Anthony Yarde reveals cheeky dig he is preparing ahead of fight with Lyndon Arthur at Tottenham’s stadium

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      ARSENAL fan Anthony Yarde has a cheeky trick up his sleeve as he prepares to fight behind enemy lines at Tottenham’s stadium. The light-heavyweight Gooner faces Lyndon Arthur in a trilogy bout on the undercard of Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn. Arsenal fan Anthony Yarde has a trick up his sleeve ahead of his fight at SpursCredit: GettyYarde has worn Arsenal attire all week – potentially riling up any Spurs fans attending the event.And now the two-time world title challenger teased going one further by walking out to the Gunners’ tune North London Forever.He told Sky Sports: “I might even come in to the theme song.” Yarde was stunned to a points defeat by Arthur in 2020. READ MORE IN BOXINGBut he viciously got redemption in the rematch with a brutal fourth-round stoppage. Now they prepare to settle the score nearly half a decade after their rivalry first started. Yarde, 33, said: “Sometimes that’s just how it all works out and it’s boxing. “I just take every fight very, very seriously. He’s going to be a person that wants to get, you can call it revenge. Most read in BoxingChris Eubank Jr vs Conor BennTHE countdown is ON to one of the biggest boxing events of the 21st CenturyFamilial tension and a rivalry that has been brewing for years will finally be resolved when Chris Eubank Jr and Conor Benn meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday night.There has been huge drama in the build-up with the pair engaged in a war of words and multiple clashes in person.SunSport will have full coverage of the blockbuster clash all week and LIVE round-by-round coverage of every fight on a stacked undercard.Latest NewsAll the infoCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS”I want to do a better job than I done last time. It’s due to be a good clash.” Arthur, 33, said: “I have to be better than the first (fight) better than the second fight. “I have to take from both, good things that I did in both. Obviously, the second fight was only four rounds but there were still some good bits. “Personally, I think he’s taking this fight lightly. By accident, just naturally thinking it will be easy because of how the second fight went.” Yarde was beaten on points in his first fight with Arthur in 2020Credit: GettyHe won the 2021 rematch in the fourth roundCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun More

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      West Ham star Mohammed Kudus lined up to join Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr as £120m transfer clause emerges

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      AL-NASSR are prepared to bid £85.5m for West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus, according to reports.Transfer expert Ben Jacobs claims the winger’s release clause is £120m for Saudi clubs – £35m more than for Premier League clubs.Al-Nassr are prepared to bid for Kudus for the second transfer window in a rowAl-Nassr are confident, however, that West Ham will sell for lessThe Saudi Pro-League club previously made an approach for Kudus in January after Brighton rejected their £76.9m bid for Kauru Mitoma and are not certain that he will take this second offer.Mitoma, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Liverpool’s Luis Diaz have been named as other Premier League targets.Kudus joined West Ham from Ajax for £38m in 2023 after scoring 18 goals and collecting seven assists in the 2022/23 season.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYet he hasn’t enjoyed the same form in his second season in England that he did in his first.Kudus managed 28 goals and assists in all competitions in 2023/24 but this season has only six in 30 games and hasn’t scored since December.This mirrors the form of the club as West Ham currently sit 17th with the oldest average squad age in the Premier League (28.5).Manager Graham Potter will want to make big changes to his squad in the summer and the club are facing numerous departures. Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSWhile there is doubt over whether Kudus will want to move, the money that he could generate despite his downturn in form will be attractive.The Hammers drew with doomed Southampton last Saturday – but will look to improve on that performance as they travel to the Amex to face Potter’s old club Brighton on Saturday.Last weekend the London club drew with Southampton who are the first Premier League club to be relegated with seven games remaining.Hilarious moment Newcastle Utd ballboy snubs West Ham star Mohammed Kudus as he asks for his seat for iconic celebrationThe Ghana winger has been on a run of poor form this season More

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      Man Utd ‘considering shock swoop for Man City midfielder James McAtee, 22’ in extremely rare transfer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED are considering a shock swoop for Manchester City star James McAtee.Any move would see the 22-year-old midfielder become the 15th first-team player to wear both red and blue in Manchester.Manchester United are considering a shock swoop for Manchester City star James McAteeMan Utd are one of several suitors interested in McAteePep Guardiola wants McAtee to stay, but he has just one year left on his current dealMcAtee has impressed since his return to the Etihad last summer, from two seasons on loan at Championship side Sheffield United.The midfielder, who can play out wide, has scored seven goals in 25 appearances across all competitions, including three in 13 Premier League games.But the England Under-21 star has one more year left on his contract and wants regular playing time next season.Although McAtee started in City’s 2-1 top-four crunch clash win over Aston Villa on Tuesday night, it was only his second league start of the campaign.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSPep Guardiola has been full of praise for McAtee, but minutes have been hard to come by.And they could get even harder next season, with City interested in moves for Nottingham Forest ace Morgan Gibbs-White and Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz. Gibbs-White and Wirtz have been identified as options to replace the departing Kevin De Bruyne, who has been linked with Aston Villa.McAtee would hope to benefit from De Bruyne’s summer exit, but City want to sign a readymade replacement who can straight slot into Guardiola’s side.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSLeverkusen’s bid to loan McAtee in January, with the option of a permanent £25million transfer this summer, was rejected by City.The Bundesliga club, who are keen admirers of McAtee, would like to keep Wirtz but a huge offer for the £100m-rated Germany international could prove difficult to resist.Pep Guardiola aims sly dig at rivals Man Utd hours after their heroic Europa League comeback So United may have to get in quick as Forest, Newcastle and AC Milan are all keeping tabs on McAtee’s situation.Ruben Amorim needs to make serious improvements to his squad, with United’s ageing midfield duo of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen often cited as slow and weak.Salford-born McAtee joined the City academy aged 10.He could become just the 15th player to play for both Man Utd and Man City the modern era, and the first to leave the Cityzens for Old Trafford in 13 years.The last player to do that was Frederic Veseli in 2012, who ultimately left the Red Devils without making an appearance, despite Sir Alex Ferguson playing a key role in his signing.McAtee would fit United’s recruitment model of signing young players who can grow together as a team.And Guardiola recently admitted that he doesn’t know if McAtee will stay beyond the summer.He said: “For the age, I’d like him to stay. But I understand the players want more minutes. “I would like him to stay, he’s a player for the academy, he knows the patterns. He’s a lovely person and trained really good. “He can play different positions but I don’t know how the squad will be and we will see.”Read More on The SunBut whether Guardiola would risk another youngster becoming a star for a Prem rival, yet alone a close city rival, remains to be seen.The Spaniard already went through that when Cole Palmer became the best player at Chelsea within months of joining.Players who have played for both Manchester clubsDenis LawBrian KiddTerry CookePeter BeardsleyPeter BarnesWyn DaviesJohn GidmanAndrei KanchelskisSammy McIlroyMark RobinsAndy ColePeter SchmeichelOwen HargreavesCarlos Tevez* Players to have been on the books of both but didn’t feature at first team level for one or the other: Tony Coton, Shaun Goater, Jon Macken, Jadon Sancho, Frederic Veseli. More

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      Premier League’s best value-for-money transfers ever including Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea icons – and Jamie Vardy

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      JAMIE VARDY’S departure from Leicester brings to a close the ultimate rags to riches football story.The rejected striker who went from non-league to a title-winning England international, scoring in a major tournament.Jamie Vardy won the Premier League in 2016 and has more than proved his worthCredit: APAcross the three decades since the Premier League was founded, Vardy arguably represents the best value-for-money signing any club has made, too.Sun Sport looks at the candidates for the top ten – but cannot look beyond the 38-year-old.1 Jamie Vardy(£1m, Fleetwood to Leicester 2012)The Foxes were in the Championship when they took a gamble on Conference top-scorer Vardy – and it paid off in spades.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLVardy’s tally of 198 goals in 496 games for Leicester, 143 of them in the Prem – only Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Thierry Henry have scored more for a single club – would be enough in itself. But he was the spearhead of the greatest and most unlikely League triumph of all-time in 2016, including that record 11-game scoring streak.2 Roy Keane(£3.75m Nottingham Forest to Manchester United, 1993)Alex Ferguson smashed the British transfer record to bring the Irishman to Old Trafford – but was there ever an example of money well spent?Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSCombative, inspirational, determined – and, if necessary, brutal – Keane was the epitome of a Fergie side until his spectacular fall-out with the manager in 2005. A relentless winner.3 Frank Lampard(£11m West Ham to Chelsea, 2001) Jamie Vardy reveals best XI he’s played with at Leicester with huge snub to England stars and entire current squadPlenty of Hammers fans were happy to see Lampard leave Upton Park. He spent the next 13 years making them regret it.Lampard smashed a staggering 211 Chelsea goals from midfield and was a mainstay of the team that won every major trophy including Prem crowns under Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.4 Sol Campbell(Free Tottenham to Arsenal, 2001)No fan of either North London side will ever forget the transfer that sparked two decades and counting of seething animosity from N17.The England centre-half was exactly what Arsene Wenger needed as he transitioned from the “famous back five” he inherited  to the 2004 “Invincibles”.  Roy Keane was a British-record bargain at 3.75mCredit: Times Newspapers LtdChelsea £11m man Frank Lampard, who became their record goalscorerCredit: PA:Press Association5 N’Golo Kante(£5.6m Caen to Leicester, 2015)One of the great unheralded transfers and a key part of the most romantic title triumph of all time.Kante was truly outstanding as Leicester defied the odds under Claudio Ranieri, doing much the same for Antonio Conte’s Chelsea the following season. As they said: “Around 70 per cent of the earth is covered by water; the rest is covered by N’Golo Kante.”6 Eric Cantona(£1m Leeds to Manchester United, 1992)An enquiry by Leeds over full-back Denis Irwin saw Fergie wonder, out of nowhere, if the mercurial Frenchman might be available.The shock move generated outrage from the Elland Road fans but Cantona was the spark that lit the fire of United’s greatest era – even if he struggled to contain his own temper. Cantona, the collar upturned, was the symbol of a strutting, dominant club. Eric Cantona was the catalyst for Manchester United’s Prem dominanceCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd7 Peter Schmeichel(£505,000 Brondby to Manchester United, 1991)The Great Dane’s arrival at Old Trafford pre-dated the formation of the Prem but he was absolutely integral to their early successes.Big teams need a keeper who can make big saves. Few made more, with his “star jump” technique one that was copied by a generation of emerging glovemen. 8 Jurgen Klinsmann(£2m Monaco to Tottenham, 1994)Spurs had stunned English football by landing Ossie Ardiles and Ricardo Villa in 1978 – but that was a sideshow compared to the stunning deal that brought the German ace to N17.Klinsmann delivered 20 Prem goals to be named Footballer of the Year before leaving  for Bayern Munich, only to return to save Christian Gross’ side from relegation two-and-a-half years later. Jurgen Klinsmann dived into English football after his move to SpursCredit: Rex9 Gianfranco Zola (£4.5m Parma to Chelsea, 1996)The smiling Sardinian schemer was the face of Chelsea’s pre-Abramovich regeneration, scoring 80 goals across seven seasons at Stamford Bridge, which brought five major trophies.More crucially, perhaps, a player for whom nobody had a bad word. A true gent and still much-loved in SW6 and elsewhere.10 Nicolas Anelka(£500,000 PSG to Arsenal, 1997)Read More on The SunAnelka was to spend 18 years criss-crossing the globe including four of the Prem Big Six but his impact after arriving at Arsenal as a teenager was perhaps the most impactful.The French striker replaced Ian Wright for the second half of the 1998 Double campaign before his contentious £22.5m move to Real Madrid gave the Gunners the cash required to land a winger called Thierry Henry from Juventus.  More

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      Man Utd files: Hojlund offered escape route in partial swap deal with ex-Prem star and Cunha back-up plan revealed

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      RASMUS HOJLUND could be offered a potential escape route from his Manchester United debacle by former club Atalanta.And that could see a partial swap deal bringing Ademola Lookman back to the Premier League.Atalanta want to re-sign Rasmus HojlundCredit: GettyHojlund left Atalanta to join the Red Devils in 2023Credit: GettyThe Red Devils could look for a swap deal involving Ademola LookmanCredit: GettyThe Danish striker is suffering from the “curse of the Old Trafford centre-forward” and experiencing a nightmare campaign.Hojlund’s season of hell has seen him score just three Prem goals and eight in 45 appearances in all competitions.Indeed, aside from last season’s spell which saw him net seven goals across a six-game Prem scoring streak, he has just six other top flight goals across 52 matches.Since scoring his only top-flight goal since early December in last month’s win at doomed Leicester he has suffered another six match drought.And the £72million signing endured the ultimate ego blow when Ruben Amorim hooked him after a fruitless 87 minutes of the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon to send centre-back Harry Maguire up front in his place.Despite that, Hojlund, 22, remains a firm favourite among the Atalanta supporters and the Serie A side are ready to make a move in the summer if United decide to cut their losses.There is also interest from clubs in Germany, but Atalanta believe Hojlund, described by former England skipper Alan Shearer as a  “damaged player” after the weekend defeat by Wolves, would be open-minded to a return to the club where he made his name.Atalanta scouts have watched his recent matches and remain in touch with the players’ representatives, who ensured he left the club on good terms two years ago.But an extra element in any deal could involve former Everton, Fulham and Leicester wideman Lookman, who is keen to return to England after three successful seasons in Italy.The London-born winger, 27, who opted to play for Nigeria despite winning 11 England Under-21 caps, is thought to be open to a move to Old Trafford.How the two forwards’ league form compares this seasonRuud van Nistelrooy reveals son’s name was inspired by former Man Utd team-mate who tragically diedA player plus cash swap would help United’s PSR position as they would otherwise have to agree a £38m fee this summer to avoid an accounts book “loss”.MC IS PLAN BUnited are making fall-back transfer plans in case they fail to land Wolves’ Brazilian hitman Matheus Cunha.While interest in the £62.5m Molineux man is concrete, Old Trafford powerbrokers are determined not to throw all their eggs into the Brazilian basket.United are targeting a move for Matheus CunhaCredit: GettyLiam Delap is also among the club’s targetsCredit: AlamyFeelers have already gone out for both Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and fellow south coast man Tyler Dibling, set to leave Southampton after their relegation to the Championship.Although neither is top of the list, United are seeking to refresh the profile and financial make-up of their squad after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s public complaints about overpaid and underperforming players.That is despite the prospect of a £100m-plus black hole in income next term unless the club wins the Europa League to qualify for a Champions League return.Another potential recruit, Ipswich’s England under-21 striker Liam Delap, is keen to get his future settled before he heads off to play for Lee Carsley’s side in this summer’s European Championship in Slovakia, where the Young Lions face Czech Republic, Germany and Slovenia in the group stage.Suggestions of a serious move for Nigerian Victor Osimhen, who has scored 27 goals this season on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, are being played down by United insiders, suggesting the push is coming from the player’s end rather than Old Trafford – although it is not entirely ruled out.Ruben Amorim, though, is understood to believe there is no need for further recruitment at centre-half, despite the imminent departures of out of contract Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof.The future of keeper Andre Onana, though, remains very much in the air despite an internal wish for the shot-stopper to prove his doubters wrong.Onana’s foolish pre-match spat with Nemanja Matic ahead of the first leg against Lyon was compounded by the two errors that saw him dropped for the thrashing at Newcastle but he was not blamed for any of the goals in the second leg drama or Wolves’ winning free-kick on Sunday.A NEW SIGNING?Meanwhile, Cunha seemed right at home when he visited Old Trafford with Wolves on Easter Sunday.The Brazilian was targeted by the autograph hunters and selfie-seekers who traditionally gather outside the Theatre of Dreams after games.Cunha was obliging – getting into the habit in case he makes it his permanent home in the summer.Several family members also made the trip to watch him and his father Carmelo was also asked for pictures by enthusiastic United fans.NAME CHANGEAnyone covering United games recently will have noticed a new name on the team-sheet. That’s because you can hardly miss it.January signing Patrick Dorgu has asked for ‘Chinazaekpere’ to be included in the middle – making life slightly more complicated for reporters and commentators.The name hails from the Igbo region in Nigeria and is important to the Denmark international’s family – as it means ‘God answers prayers’Will he answer the prayers of Dorgu and United fans in the Europa League semi-finals next week though?Patrick Dorgu has asked for ‘Chinazaekpere’ to be included in the middleCredit: GettyEND OF THE ROAD?United are currently weighing up whether to take the four players whose contracts expire this summer on their controversial end-of-season tour to the Far East.Jonny Evans, Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof and Tom Heaton will all be saying their goodbyes to Old Trafford on the final day of the season when Aston Villa are the visitors.Yet all those travelling to Hong Kong and Malaysia will be quickly herded off to Manchester airport to take part in the two match trip, which is expected to net the club around £10m.Given all four players are unlikely to ever pull on a United shirt again for a competitive game, it seems slightly pointless.COMEBACK KINGS?Red Devils fans should not despair if they find themselves behind again in their Europa League semi-final – just as they did on that famous night against Lyon.Opponents Athletic Bilbao are coached by former Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde – who has been on the wrong end of two of the most famous European comebacks in recent times.He was Barcelona coach when Roma stormed back from a 4-1 first leg deficit to win the return leg 3-0 in the Italian capital in 2018.And a year later he watched as Lionel Messi and Co somehow squandered a 3-0 lead from the first leg in a disastrous night at Anfield.The veteran coach will not relax until the final whistle goes at Old Trafford on May 8.Ernesto Valverde has been on the wrong end of two famous European comebacksCredit: Getty More

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      Former England star Trevor Sinclair facing bankruptcy battle over £36k unpaid tax bill after ‘hiding head in the sand’

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      FORMER England star Trevor Sinclair is facing a court bid to make him bankrupt over a £36,000 tax debt.Ex-Queens Park Ranger and Manchester City winger Sinclair, 52, earned a fortune during his playing career and went on to become a TV and radio pundit.Trevor Sinclair leaves Blackpool Magistrates court after facing a drink-driving charge in 2017Credit: News Group Newspapers LtdManchester City winger Sinclair, 52, with his wife NatalieCredit: Instagram/trevor8sinclairSinclair enjoyed five-and-a-half seasons with West HamCredit: GettyBut his career stalled in 2022 when he asked why “black and brown people” should mourn the Queen.And HMRC chiefs are now threatening to make him bankrupt unless he settles an unpaid tax bill for punditry work in 2021-22.Since retirement, the former wideman has worked as a pundit for media outlets including Talksport and the BBC on Football Focus and Final Score.But Central London County Court heard that he got into trouble with his finances and “hid his head in the sand” over money he owed to the taxman after his accountant died.Read more Sports NewsShabab Rizvi, for HMRC, told Judge Caroline Wilkinson that the ex-player has ignored demands for payment.Ms Rizvi told the court: “HMRC’s position today is that we are seeking a bankruptcy order,” she told the judge.”Since the breathing space order ended, we have had no contact from the debtor, she told the judge.”The debtor is a former Premier League footballer and should have the means to satisfy the debt, but there’s been no contact with HMRC at all.”Most read in FootballRobert Lee, for Mr Sinclair, however asked the judge to put off making the bankruptcy order and give him another chance to get the money together and pay up.He told the judge: “Mr Sinclair is seeking an adjournment. He is a former Premier League footballer and he was working in the media.Man City legend Trevor Sinclair slams Cristiano Ronaldo amid Man Utd dressing room woes “Mr Sinclair is currently in receipt of a job offer in Saudi Arabia.”As a footballer Sinclair starred as a winger for QPR, West Ham United and Manchester City in the Premier League in the 1990s and 2000s.He won the 1997 Match of the Day’s “Goal of the Season” with a spectacular overhead bicycle kick in an FA Cup tie against Barnsley.He won 12 caps for England, four in the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, before retiring in 2008 following a stint at Cardiff City.District Judge Caroline Wilkinson explained that the debt is for the tax year 2021-22, consisting of two “large sums of £13,000-odd” each, plus outstanding National Insurance and penalties.She said: “Mr Sinclair has to wake up to the fact that there’s no more head in the sand because this is serious.”The case was adjourned for two months to allow the former Prem ace time to try to get the money together to pay his debt.He won 12 caps for England before retiring in 2008Credit: PA:Press AssociationTrevor Sinclair previously joined the coaching staff with the India national teamCredit: X @trevor8sinclairThe ex-QPR man in his role as a coach at Lancaster CityCredit: PA More