The Sun Newspaper

Subterms

    More stories

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd open Ousmane Dembele transfer talks with Barcelona as they eye season-long loan amid Jadon Sancho struggles

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED have opened talks with Barcelona and Ousmane Dembele over a season-long loan move to Old Trafford.
      United are struggling to get the deal for Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund over the line so are now taking positive steps to get a deal done for Dembele.

      2

      Man Utd have opened talks with Barcelona regarding a loan move for Ousmane DembeleCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      2

      United are struggling to get a deal for Sancho over the lineCredit: Reuters

      Talks with Barca progressed on Wednesday as hopes faded of getting No1 target Sancho before Monday’s transfer deadline.
      United have had a deal on the table for some months now for Sancho for £70million up front rising to £100m which Dortmund have rejected.
      There has been no new bid so far this week.
      Dembele, 23, was regarded as one of the most exciting wingers in the world when he joined Barcelona in a club-record £95.8m move from Dortmund in 2017.

      The French international – who began his career at Rennes – had last season wrecked by two hamstring injuries, the second of which required surgery.
      He has not started a game since last November although he made a substitute appearance in Barcelona’s opening game of the season.
      He was in Ronald Koeman’s bad books on Monday of this week, though, after he turned up 15 minutes late for training.

      He also turned up late for a game against Real Betis back in December 2018.

      Former United midfielder Darren Fletcher believes the move could be a risk but still bring it’s rewards for both parties.
      Fletcher said: “It suggests that they are moving on from Jadon Sancho.
      “I think Ousmane Dembele’s a right winger, a position they are finally identifying.
      “It comes with its risks – his injury record is not great over the last few seasons – I think he only made five league appearances last season, but he’s a talented player.
      “Barcelona purchased him for £100m or something like that.

      “I think a loan deal would suit United, and probably both parties…
      “I think he needs a fresh challenge, coming to a massive club like Manchester United.
      “It’s a chance to showcase himself, get opportunities, get fit and potentially look for a transfer down the line.
      “But I wouldn’t say they’ve got to sign him because of his injury record, and he has tendencies to be late a lot of the time judging by reports.
      “United should give him the opportunity to showcase himself and be the player everyone thought he was going to become.”

      Ousmane Dembele show his skills and scores amazing goal in Barcelona training More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Premier League clubs vow NOT to bail out EFL after filling Championship sides’ coffers with £170m in transfer fees

      by

      FURIOUS Premier League sides have vowed NOT to bail out the cash-strapped EFL.
      The 20 top-flight clubs snubbed Government pleas to fund a £250million rescue package being demanded by EFL chairman Rick Parry.

      3

      Rick Parry issued a dire alert over the future of EFL teams but Prem clubs feel they have already given a huge amount of financial helpCredit: PA:Press Association

      As football battles against the financial cost of the coronavirus pandemic, top-flight clubs claim they have bailed out Championship teams enough

      Parry warns his 72 sides face going to the wall without   Government   help.
      But SunSport can reveal top-flight giants feel they have ALREADY given Championship clubs in particular plenty of cash.
      And at yesterday’s virtual meeting of  Prem clubs there was only a brief chat over the bailout plea due to growing anger.
      The clubs were told that Championship sides have banked some £200m in transfer fees this summer.

      And £170m,  two-thirds of the amount Parry wants, has come from Prem clubs.

      They do not need any more from us and we have our own businesses to protect.
      Premier League club source

      A senior club executive also claimed he knew of some 11 situations in which Championship clubs were offered multi-million pound transfer fees.
      These offers had either been rejected — or were still being discussed.
      One leading club told SunSport: “The numbers tell the truth and the facts.

      “We have already given plenty of help to the Championship.

      3

      “They do not need any more from us — and we have our own businesses to protect.”
      The Prem clubs remain furious at Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden’s comments over the weekend.
      Asked if they should be saving the EFL rather than spending on new strikers, he replied: “That’s exactly what we’re saying.”
      Prem chiefs also say they  were “led down the garden path” by the  Government over the issue of getting fans  back into grounds.

      Ministers scrapped  plans for reduced capacities, from October 1 without warning — after clubs  spent  time and money working out how to do it.
      That would have meant some £7.5m in weekly gate income  for the 20 clubs.
      Unless there is a Government U-turn over this, Prem clubs are unlikely to  reach out to the  EFL.

      Man City complete £64m Ruben Dias transfer More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Foden and Greenwood face England axe for triple-header with Southgate yet to speak to pair after Iceland shame

      by

      PHIL FODEN and Mason Greenwood face the axe from Gareth Southgate’s England squad tomorrow.
      Southgate has yet to speak to them after they broke lockdown rules on international duty in Iceland earlier this month.

      3

      England sent Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood home in shame from Reykjavik and now they could be dropped for the next three internationals

      3

      Lara Clausen joined her older cousin Nadia Sif Lindal Gunnarsdottir in sneaking into the hotel in Iceland

      3

      Nadia Sif Lindal Gunnarsdottir met Foden and Greenwood inside the England team hotel

      England face Wales in a friendly at Wembley next Thursday before Nations League matches against Belgium  and Denmark.
      Manchester City midfielder Foden, 20, and 18-year-old Manchester United striker Greenwood smuggled two women into their hotel in Reykjavik and were sent home in disgrace.
      Southgate is now deciding whether to talk to the pair ahead of naming his squad, which is likely to include fresh faces.
      Model Nadia Sif Lindal Gunnarsdottir, 20, and her cousin Lara Clausen, 19, posted footage from their rendezvous with the two Three Lions’ starlets, including an image of Foden’s bum.

      Greenwood and Foden both made their senior international debuts in a 1-0 Nations League victory over Iceland before having to jet off back to England in shame ahead of the 0-0 bore draw in Denmark three days later.
      Both issued public apologies, with Greenwood promising to learn from his “huge mistake”.
      Each was fined £1,360 by police in Iceland for their Covid-19 breach.

      Man City set to QUINTUPLE Phil Foden’s wages – despite Iceland hotel shame More

    • 225 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Rudiger faces dilemma over Chelsea future amid Tottenham transfer interest as loan deal may mean new Blues contract

      by

      ANTONIO RUDIGER faces a dilemma over his Chelsea future amid interest from Tottenham.
      Spurs are turning to the defender as an alternative to Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar to boost their defence this season.

      4

      Antonio Rudiger has slipped dramatically down the pecking order with Chelsea, alerting the interest of London rivals SpursCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      4

      Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has long been a top Tottenham target, but Antonio Rudiger might be a more accessible optionCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But a loan deal for German Rudiger may also mean him signing a contract extension at Stamford Bridge.
      Rudgier, 27, has two year left on his current deal and will soon become an even more attractive proposition as his contract winds down.
      But Chelsea’s standard policy is to get loan players leaving the club to sign improved terms and then make the loaning club pay the full wages.
      They did it with striker Michy Batshuayi just a few weeks ago with his temporary move to Crystal Palace.

      But Rudiger has fallen way down the pecking order under boss Frank Lampard this season and has been dumped from three of the last four squads.

      Sign up to play Dream Team 20/21 now

      It’s completely free to play
      Play the traditional Season game as well as Draft
      There’s a hefty jackpot up for grabs across 2020/21
      SIGN UP TO PLAY HERE

      The signing of veteran Brazilian superstar Thiago Silva, who made his debut on Saturday at West Brom, has not helped his cause.
      Rudiger will have to decide whether it is worth committing his future to a club where he is struggling for first team action or wind down his contract in the hope of a getaway.
      The bitter rivalry between Spurs and Chelsea is another sticking point but Lampard admits he does need to trim his squad.

      He has signed a total of seven players which also includes emerging centre half Malang Sarr, who is set to be loaned out to aid his progression.
      Rudiger was a mainstay of the Chelsea defence last season but shaky performances towards the end of the campaign saw his standing drop in the eyes of the manager this term.

      4

      Germany centre-back Antonio Rudiger appears to have been unsettled by losing his regular place at Stamford BridgeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      The German international was not helped by suffering a niggling groin injury in a freak accident at Wolves last September when he slipped on a metal plate beside the touchline while retrieving the ball for a throw in.
      Meanwile, Lampard’s bust-up with left Marcos Alonso has taken a new twist.
      The left back was given a severe dressing down by his boss for heading off to the team bus to watch the second half of Saturday’s game after being subbed.
      It has emerged that as well as feeling like he was taking all the blame for the poor first-half performance at West Brom, the row also involves keeper Kepa.

      Alonso is unhappy with Lampard’s treatment of his big pal and fellow Spaniard.
      A source said: ‘All three of Chelsea’s Spanish players are very close and Marcos is unhappy with the way Kepa gets treated.”
      Kepa has been repeatedly dropped in the last few months and Chelsea have now bought a third keeper – Edouard Mendy.

      4

      Lampard did come out in support of Kepa earlier this week in light of recent criticism from outside.
      Alonso now thinks his future may lie elsewhere but is also aware that there is less than a week left of the transfer window.
      Lampard signed £50m left back Ben Chilwell, who is set to become first choice now.

      Kurt zouma shows off skills in training More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      How Premier League and Government can work together to give EFL £250m bailout and save it from decimation

      by

      TO BAILOUT or not to bailout — that is the question.
      As the Government flip-flops (go, don’t go, stop, no, start… no, I meant stop!), there’s now two football landscapes: BC (Before Covid) and AD (After Disease).

      2

      Simon Jordan reckons the Premier League and Government can work together to save EFL clubsCredit: PA:Press Association

      To get back to somewhere like life was in BC is going to require significant support for the game.
      Our national sport is bloated with overpaid players, the majority of which aren’t willing to help their own industry.
      Premier League clubs – irrespective of loss of gate receipts and broadcaster reclaims into the hundreds of millions – are still spending money like drunken sailors.
      Look at clubs like Chelsea ponying up £230million in transfer fees.

      The Government are under pressure to help, despite the pandemic only really condensing a problem into five months that would likely have arrived in five years anyway.
      So, should an industry that seemingly has self-harm hardwired into its governance be deserving of taxpayers’ money to bail it out?
      The Premier League can’t be entitled to any bailout but where the argument becomes critical is in the EFL.

      The 72 clubs, the runts of football’s litter, have no long-term future and some could be in real danger within months without a rescue package.

      Match-day revenue accounts for 30 per cent of Championship clubs’ turnover, while that figure rises to 40 per cent in League One and 60 per cent in League Two.
      That means £50m was lost last season, with a further £20m a month being lost every month this season.
      The EFL needs a £250m bailout or it will be decimated, with a slew of clubs going bust.
      The only beneficiaries will be ghastly administrators whose fees are often so extortionate and disproportionate to the work undertaken, it veers towards legalised larceny.
      The Government is resisting the idea because the feeling is that this is a sport awash with money.
      When the EFL proposes salary caps, the PFA’s response is to consider that unlawful, so perhaps that explains the Government’s rather ill-informed view.
      The insistence is the Premier League, as a result of Project Restart, now assumes the mantle of bailing out the EFL, rather than the taxpayer.
      If you’re in the Premier League, which is losing potentially £1.5BILLION, you now have £12m extra per club to give to leagues that, as far as your concerned, are little to do with you.

      2

      Simon Jordan has a plan to save EFL clubs from the financial woes of coronavirusCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      It’s unlikely they will receive this request well.
      I believe there is a simple solution to all this.
      The Government can become the bank of last resort, ensuring community assets are protected by underwriting funding that’s available.
      The Premier League can then pick up the interest tab for three years.
      That means they don’t have enormous money to cough up, yet honour their obligations.
      EFL clubs get interest-free loans, time to recover from the decimation and can introduce a raft of new controls ensuring sustainability going forward, as well as factoring in repayments.
      The ‘football family’ can  put up the image that it’s a caring one.
      And the Government gets to do more than simply pay lip service to the importance of sport in this country — and at no cost!
      While it may be argued that football isn’t the most deserving of causes, it is part of the social fabric of this country and must be preserved.
      *Listen to Simon Jordan and Jim White on talkSPORT at 10am, Monday to Thursday.

      Premier League’s social distancing could kill Football League clubs says Simon Jordan More

    • 238 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani welcomes new investment but vows to stay after selling 10 per cent stake in club

      by

      LEEDS owner Andrea Radrizzani admitted he would welcome new investment in the Elland Road club — but vowed to stay put.
      Radrizzani sold a ten per cent stake to the San Francisco Giants in 2018 and has been linked with Qatari Sports Investment, a business arm of the Gulf state.

      1

      Leeds’ Italian owner Andrea Radrizzani says he is keen to stay for the long haul, with a business model similar to Man City’sCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But Radrizzani insisted his ambitions remain to make Leeds the heart of a wider sporting empire and promised the fans they will continue marching on together.
      He told the SportsPro Live virtual conference: “Don’t worry, I’m not leaving.
      “I’m starting to enjoy it, so let me stay here for a while.
      “The model we have is not similar to Manchester City but more focused on football and Europe.

      “So we are looking at Spain, Portugal, France or Italy.

      “We don’t have a rush and when we see the right opportunity we can discuss with different investors to join the project and the platform and build together.
      “Obviously at a certain point, if the company is well and profitable, it’s normal that you could have a decision to make about the future.

      “If you work hard and add value and get the businesses working well, then exit becomes an option to consider. But it’s not one yet.”

      Meanwhile, Leeds are montoring Rangers’ England hopeful Ryan Kent.
      Manchester United’s Daniel James is still Elland Road boss Marcelo Bielsa’s first-choice as a new winger.
      But ex-Liverpool starlet Kent, 23, has been in outstanding form ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

      New Leeds signing Diego Llorente says it is an honour to be joining the club More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Fulham join Tottenham in Milan Skriniar transfer chase as they eye ambitious move for Inter Milan defender

      by

      FULHAM are hoping to pull off a major coup by landing Tottenham target Milan Skriniar.
      Spurs have been in talks to land the Inter Milan centre back, 25, who is set to leave the San Siro.

      2

      Fulham have joined the race to sign Inter star Milan SkriniarCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Tottenham have been prepared to offer between £30million and £35m for the defender.
      However, Serie A giants Inter are holding out for fees of around £45m.
      Fulham have been in the market for a top-class centre-back all summer.
      Their problems at the bottom of the table have increased the pressure on manager Scott Parker.

      After the 3-0 loss to Aston Villa on Monday, Fulham co-owner Tony Khan apologised to the fans for the display.
      Khan also admitted he knew the heart of the club’s defence is a problem.
      But they could find their attempts to land Slovakian international Skriniar difficult.

      They would have to offer huge wages to entice him to Craven Cottage.

      2

      David Moyes is the early favourite to become the first manager to be sacked

      Spurs had considered themselves as favourites to land his signature.
      But they have been frustrated by Inter’s demands and are ready to look elsewhere.
      Fulham are also looking to sign Wolves’ Ryan Bennett, potentially only on loan. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Furious Premier League clubs to reject Government demands for them to pay £250m bailout to keep EFL alive

      by

      FURIOUS Prem clubs are poised to today reject Government demands for them to pay a £250million bailout to keep the EFL alive.
      And the clubs are adamant they will not back down UNLESS they are allowed to open the turnstiles and let fans return to grounds.

      1

      Clubs are furious at Oliver Dowden’s attempts to make them pay upCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The 20 “shareholder” clubs will meet virtually to show a determined and united front after growing increasingly angry at the attempts by Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to “railroad” them into stumping up the survival cash.
      And the clubs believe they have extra ammunition after a cross-party group of influential MPs plus two former FA chairmen said the Government, not the Prem, had an obligation to step in and prevent the imminent “collapse” of the English league system.
      Clubs at both ends of the Prem financial scale erupted in fury in the wake of Dowden’s suggestion they should “help poorer clubs rather than spend huge amounts hiring a new striker”.

      Why are we expected to bail out the EFL when the Government doesn’t ask Sainsbury’s to keep the corner shops going.
      One Prem chairman

      The publication of a new study which predicts Prem clubs will be responsible for 99 per cent of Europe’s entire international market transfer “losses” — of £698m this summer — will add weight to Dowden’s argument.

      But clubs and League chiefs privately accused Dowden and the Government of “hypocrisy” after three months of non-stop work towards the planned October 1 re-opening date, which was suddenly scrapped by PM Boris Johnson last week.
      They had begun to budget for some gate income but feel the U-turn left them stranded, while it also added to the outrage of seeing themselves made a scapegoat by the Government.
      One chairman pointedly said: “We had no advance notice of what was a completely ridiculous and wrong decision.
      “Why are we expected to bail out the EFL when the Government doesn’t ask Sainsbury’s to keep the corner shops going? Especially when we have got nothing back in return.”

      Prem chief executive Richard Masters has already stated the 20 clubs have seen £700m in income disappear.
      Now those same clubs are being ordered to help fill the £250m void in EFL finances, with chairman Rick Parry confirming his 72 clubs need £20m per month between them to survive.
      The Prem clubs argue that transfer fees to EFL sides have earned them some £100m this summer, with more money set to be spent before the window closes next Monday.
      League bosses already agreed to forward advance “solidarity” payments to the EFL, despite their own slashed incomes.
      As SunSport has revealed, the Prem clubs believe it would be wrong to simply write a cheque without cast-iron guarantees over how the money would be spent.
      Some are also concerned they are effectively being asked to give money to Championship clubs who will be strengthened as rivals as a result next season.
      The increasingly aggressive stance comes as the letter, co-signed by ten MPs, including former Tory Deputy Prime Minister Damian Green and ex-Wembley chiefs Lord Triesman and Greg Dyke, slammed the Government.
      They said: “Without any plans being made to rescue football, this could lead not only to the failure of many historic clubs, but the collapse of the national league structure we have known for over 100 years.
      “The Government needs to take responsibility.”

      Ex-England star David James fronts campaign to reduce power usage in non-league football as income plummets due to Covid More