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      West Ham owners Gold and Sullivan reject £350MILLION takeover bid from mystery US consortium

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      WEST HAM are braced for a takeover battle after a £350million offer was made to buy the club.
      An elusive American consortium approached them last month as the first serious effort begins to wrestle control of the struggling Irons from current owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

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      West Ham co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold rejected an opening offer of £350mCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Manager David Moyes could be stuck in the middle if West Ham get caught up in a takeover battleCredit: Reuters

      Joint-chairman Sullivan dismissed the bid, but the US-based buyers have vowed not to give up and neither will they be satisfied with a part-share.
      The mystery financiers are already involved with large scale sports in America and want outright power to reshape West Ham for the future.
      Sullivan was contacted in the first week of August – not long after West Ham had secured Premier League survival by just five points.
      The valuation of his club was guided by the £300million buyout going on at the time for rivals Newcastle United.

      Fifty million pounds was added to the offer for West Ham because it is a London club even though, unlike Newcastle, they do not own their own ground.
      ‘EVERY POSSIBILITY BEING EXPLORED’
      Sullivan insists he does not want to sell up completely for the time being but is ready to flog a minority stake.
      The consortium is now considering increasing its offer to buy the club but it is serious about striking a deal.
      West Ham have attracted buyers before  and London stadium sources have questioned the strength of the group’s interest.

      But the American consortium want nothing less than a  51 per cent share so they can take charge of key decision making.
      West Ham were listed 18th among the top earning clubs globally in the latest Deloitte rich list.
      Sullivan is open to investors pumping money in to help with a cash crisis in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

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      Sullivan and Gold took over West Ham ten years ago, with the club moving to the London Stadium in 2016Credit: Rex Features
      This potential deal has nothing to do with American billionaire Tripp Smith who bought around ten percent of the club in 2017.
      One obstacle potential new purchasers will face is that Sullivan and Gold will be hit with financial penalties if they sell the club in the next three years.
      But a source told SunSport that ‘every possibility is being explored seriously to buy the club as soon as possible.’
      Sullivan and his business partner Gold took over West Ham in 2010 and moved the club to the former Olympic Stadium four years ago – promising a world class team in a world class ground.

      The team only just avoided the drop last season and there is a growing movement among fans calling for the owners to go.
      Thousands of fans gathered outside the London Stadium last season to protest against the running of the club and black balloons have been released at games to voice frustrations.
      Even with coronavirus restrictions in place, around 25 staged a demo at the gates of West Ham’s 60,000 seater home last Saturday before the team lost 2-0 to Newcastle.  

      Gilly Flaherty brands West Ham aces ‘prima donnas’ in explosive behind-the-scenes footage from Squad Goals documentary More

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      Dele Alli fell out with Spurs boss Jose Mourinho BEFORE half-time sub in Everton loss, reveals Agbonlahor

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      DELE ALLI fell out with Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho BEFORE their weekend defeat, an ex-England star has claimed.
      The midfielder was subbed at half-time in Sunday’s 1-0 home loss to Everton.

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      Dele Alli was subbed at half-time during the 1-0 defeat against Everton on SundayCredit: Rex Features

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      Jose Mourinho branded the England star ‘lazy’ in Spurs’ Amazon documentaryCredit: Reuters

      And former Aston Villa ace Gabby Agbonlahor, now a talkSPORT pundit, said: “I feel like they need a No 10 as well because I’m hearing from a good source that Dele Alli and Mourinho have fallen out.”
      Mourinho said he made the change as he wanted more creativity from his midfield, calling them “lazy”.
      The Special One also repeated his wish to bring in another striker.
      Agbonlahor spoke on the Sports Bar show on Sunday morning, before Spurs’ loss.

      Dele, 24, has failed to impress under Mourinho.
      The Spurs boss called him “f*****g lazy” in Amazon’s documentary of the club.
      Agbonlahor played over 300 times for Villa and won three England caps.
      And he believes Spurs need another frontman.

      He added: “There’s a lot of pressure on Harry Kane.
      “I feel if they don’t get a striker and get off to a bad start, I can see Mourinho walking or getting the sack.
      “He is used to spending money. He is not used to begging for a striker.”

      Dele Alli gets debate about ‘top three best chocolate bars’ going on Tottenham’s new Amazon doc – and is NOT Bounty fan More

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      Liverpool must pay whopping £17.3MILLION rebate as Prem clubs hand back £330m to broadcasters after Covid-19 shutdown

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      LIVERPOOL have been hit with a whacking £17.3million charge — for being Premier League champions.
      League chiefs told the 20 clubs last season they faced a £330m collective rebate to broadcasters for 2019-20  as a result of the impact of the coronavirus crisis.

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      Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will get the highest reduction in last season’s TV moneyCredit: AFP or licensors

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      Broadcasters lost out on live coverage when the Premier League had a three-month hold-upCredit: PA:Press Association

      Now for the first time the League has unveiled the anticipated costs for the 20 clubs in the top flight last term — and the impact over the next two seasons.
      Figures published as part of the Premier League  rulebook for the 2020-21  season outline the anticipated repayments to be demanded from clubs.
      All will pay back around 10.7 per cent of the money that would have been due to them.
      But with those total  pay-outs established by a process involving a basic share plus payments for final positions and live TV games, the money chart does not entirely mirror the end of season table.

      According to the figures, Liverpool’s initial payment of £161.1m will be reduced to £143.8m.
      Manchester City, who finished second, will pay back £16.8m of their intended £156.7m for a total of £139.9m.

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      But Chelsea will end up earning £135.2m, £700,000 more than Manchester United despite finishing a place behind them.
      And although Arsenal were eighth last season, extra TV appearances means — even with a £15m rebate — they will bank £2.4m more than North London rivals  Tottenham and take sixth spot in the cash table.

      At the bottom, relegated trio Bournemouth, Watford and Norwich fill the last three money slots as well, with the Canaries losing £7.1m to finish with a £88.1m pay-out for their top flight campaign.

      Parachute payments to the trio will also be reduced by £2.6m this season and £2.2m next term, with the teams relegated this season also each losing £2.6m in 2021-22.
      League bosses have agreed with clubs that no  repayments will be due until the end of this season, allowing the 20 teams extra time to deal with the  financial repercussions of  the pandemic.
      But the League also  confirmed that this season’s three promoted clubs — Leeds, West Brom and  Fulham — as well as the clubs that come up from the Championship next season, have to each lose £8.4m from their expected first season TV revenues.

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      Jurgen Klopp says there is ‘space for improvement’ after Liverpool conceded three goals vs Leeds opening day, but insists everything is ‘all good’ More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘£615k engagement ring’ for Georgina Rodriguez is most expensive ever sparkler for a Wag

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has topped the footballers’ engagement ring league by giving his fiancée the most expensive sparkler.
      The Juventus star is thought to have splashed about £615,000 on the diamond number for Georgina Rodriguez.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo splashed over £600,000 on Georgina Rodriguez’s engagement ringCredit: Instagram @cristiano

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      Georgina fuelled speculation Cristiano Ronaldo had bought her the £615,000 engagement ring by commenting on this Instagram postCredit: Social media

      According to GamblingDeals, who compiled a list of the most expensive engagement rings in football, England keeper Jordan Pickford was second on £500,000 for wife Megan Davison.
      Ashley Cole’s £275,000 ring for ex-wife Cheryl ranked third.
      But England ace Harry Kane was just tenth with £180,000 for wife Katie Goodland, according to jeweller Roseanna Croft.
      Georgina and Ronaldo have two-year-old daughter Alana together and are raising his other three children – surrogate twins Eva and Mateo, three, and ten-year-old Cristiano Jr.

      The couple first enjoyed on a string of dates towards the end of 2016.

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      Ronaldo is thought to have asked the Spanish beauty to marry him in 2018.
      The former Manchester United forward, who donated huge sums of money to help medical supplies during the coronavirus crisis, has always insisted they will wed.
      Telling Piers Morgan of the couple’s “true love” on ITV last year, he added: “She helped me so much. Of course, I’m in love with her.

      “We’ll be [married] one day, for sure. It’s my mum’s dream as well.”
      Georgina has been snapped wearing a ring a number of times and in 2018 gave the biggest hint she was engaged to Ronaldo by commenting on a post of a Cartier sparkler.
      The shop assistant-turned-model posted four heart-eyes emojis in response to a snap of the ring Ronaldo is rumoured to have bought her.

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      She was seen sporting the diamond sparkler at a glamorous party Credit: Instagram @cristiano

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      Georgina showed off another huge sapphire ring on Instagram last month Credit: georginagio/Instagram

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      Ronaldo has always insisted they’ll get hitchedCredit: Instagram

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      Gary Lineker posts series of innuendo-laden tweets aimed at Premier League stars

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      GARY Lineker delighted fans enjoying the start of the Premier League season.
      The Match of the Day host posted a series of innuendo laden, saucy tweets aimed at a number of stars.

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      Gary Lineker shocked fans with a series of innuendo-laden tweets aimed at Premier League starsCredit: PA:Press Association

      Will(y) Smallbone has been pulled off. A little hard on him.
      — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 12, 2020

      Gary, 59, told his 7.6m followers how “Will(y) Smallbone”, who plays for Southampton, “has been pulled off. A little hard on him” after the defender was substituted in the 77th minute.
      Leeds United defender Robin Koch was his next target after giving away a penalty in the 4th minute against champions Liverpool.
      Gary tweeted: “Well that didn’t take long. An early Koch-up and @LFC lead.”
      The £20m defender was also at fault for Liverpool’s second goal after he lost Virgil van Dijk, prompting the TV presenter to joke: “Koch blocked and @VirgilvDijk scores.”

      Well that didn’t take long. An early Koch-up and @LFC lead.
      — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 12, 2020

      One follower responded: “Of all of your great achievements, fighting for social justice and the betterment of society, it’s this single tweet that will get you the knighthood you richly deserve! Well played.”
      But not all fans were amused, with one reminding Lineker of his toilet trouble during the 1990 World Cup while playing against Ireland.
      Dean Cook wrote: “At least he didnt sh*t himself in front of millions of people.”

      Of all of your great achievements, fighting for social justice and the betterment of society, it’s this single tweet that will get you the knighthood you richly deserve! Well played 👏👏👏
      — Griff (@mistergriffster) September 12, 2020

      Gary Lineker’s welcomes refugees to Britain with fish and chips ad
      GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk More

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      Shamed footballer Phil Foden tried to meet another woman behind girlfriend’s back while on England duty

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      SHAMED football star Phil Foden tried to arrange to meet another woman at a hotel behind his girlfriend’s back while on England duty.
      It is the second time the Man City ace has been accused of sexual high-jinks while with the national set-up.

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      Lucy Jones says shamed footballer Phil Foden tried to meet her at a hotel behind his girlfriend’s back

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      Foden sent Lucy a Snapchat message saying he couldn’t wait to get a hotel with her

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      Foden flashed his bottom at two Icelandic girls last week

      Foden and England team-mate Mason Greenwood were sent home in disgrace from Iceland last week after smuggling two girls into the Three Lions’ hotel, breaking Covid rules.
      Now make-up artist Lucy Jones, 23, says: “People need to know that wasn’t a one-off and what he’s like.
      “He was trying to do the same thing a year ago when he was messaging me in his England hotel.”
      Lucy claims Foden, 20 — who flashed his bottom at two Icelandic girls last week — was just as forward with her.

      He started messaging her in September 2019 when he was with the Under-21s in Turkey.
      ‘FLATTERED’
      She said he sent her saucy Snapchat messages, a picture in his England shorts and said: “I can’t wait to get a hotel with you.”
      The pair arranged to go for dinner at Piccolino Italian restaurant in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, five miles away from his £3.25million mansion in Prestbury.
      But Lucy, of Middlewich, Cheshire, backed out when she found out Foden had a girlfriend and young son.

      His long-term girlfriend Rebecca Cooke later accused her of “mithering” her boyfriend, despite the Premier League star doing the chasing.
      Rebecca told her: “Don’t worry, you’re not special. He’s been doing this with other girls.”

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      The Man City ace has now been accused of sexual high-jinks while with the national set-up twiceCredit: Rex Features

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      Foden and Mason Greenwood were sent home in disgrace from Iceland after smuggling two girls into their hotelCredit: Rex Features

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      Lucy backed out of meeting Foden when she found out he had a young son with girlfriend Rebecca CookeCredit: instagram
      Lucy said: “I was flattered he was chasing me as he’s a Manchester City star. I was excited.
      “But I knew it probably wouldn’t work out as he’s a footballer.
      “He was probably messaging me for about two weeks before I worked out he had a girlfriend.
      “He kept calling me gorgeous as the chats got more late night.
      “I sent him a few photos including one of me in my pyjama bottoms and a bra which he seemed to love.”

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      Lucy says people need to know ‘what Foden’s like’

      But Lucy, who has now had a baby with a new partner, pulled the plug on the night out when she realised Foden had lied.
      The player apologised this week for his actions in Iceland.
      He and Greenwood, 18 — pictured in today’s Sun on Sunday inhaling nitrous oxide — now face a battle to get back into Gareth Southgate’s squad for next summer’s Euros.

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      Lucy says Foden ‘kept calling her gorgeous as the chats got more late night’

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      She pulled the plug on the night out when she realised Foden had lied

      Icelandic stunner Lara Clausen claims Phil Foden did not mention he had girlfriend or baby after sneaking them into England hotel
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      Kylian Mbappe sparks £400m transfer scramble between Man Utd, City, Liverpool and Real Madrid after PSG exit request

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       KYLIAN MBAPPE will spark a £400MILLION battle between the Manchester giants, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
      The French superstar, 21, is understood to have given Paris Saint-Germain notice that he intends to leave at the end of this season.

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      Kylian Mbappe will spark a £400m transfer scramble between Man Utd, City, Liverpool and Real MadridCredit: AFP

      With two years left on his contract by then, PSG will expect to get £300m for him should they chose not to stand in the way.
      Mbappe is already on £15m a year and will expect to see that huge salary rise by another £5m when he moves.
      Any club that plans to sign him will want his signature on a five-year deal.

      That will mean a total of £100m in wages plus almost double the £165m PSG paid Monaco for him in 2018.
      City, United and Real will not baulk at such a staggering outlay, although Liverpool’s owners FSG will blink.
      The Premier League champions may have spent £310m on a collection of stars between 2017 and 2018.
      But over the last 12 months the American owners have brought in players worth just over £20m and over the same time scale have made a net profit on deals of £32m.

      Going for Mbappe would require the sale of one of their Fab three of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
      Senegalese frontman Mane would be the most likely to go if he asked for a move and has so far ignored Liverpool’s effort to get him to extend his stay for two years beyond 2023.
      Real would love to have him – as they would Mbappe – and he would command a fee of £150m.
      City came close to landing world No 1 Lionel Messi before he withdrew plans to leave Barcelona last month.

      Kylian Mbappe is the fastest footballer in the world
      They were prepared to pay him £600,000 a week and with their unlimited resources would see Mbappe as another way of elevating their standing in world football.
      Like them United would believe that no matter the outlay, Mbappe’s presence would only increase their global pull and had bucket – loads of more corporate cash.
      What is in Liverpool’s favour is Mbappe’s connection with boss Jurgen Klopp.
      The Anfield boss spent several hours trying to convince him to sign for Liverpool before he opted for PSG.
      The German said: “I love him, to be honest. What a player, what a player – he is and a nice lad as well, so he’s a really good kid.”
      Mbappe, who is understood to have been “charmed” by Klopp, declared Liverpool as a “machine” in May as they powered their way to the club’s first top flight title in 30 years.
      Yet it is understood he also likes the idea of playing at Old Trafford.

      Pep Guardiola, having lost out on Messi, will be certain to want to have a conversation with him – as will Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu.
      Real believe they had signed him before his switch to PSG and are certain to be jostling in the queue this time around.
      But this time alongside a trio of heavy-hitting English clubs with the only thing likely to affect such a potential huge spend to get him to the Premier League how deep the coronavirus pandemic bites into their finances. More

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      Frank Lampard hits back at Jurgen Klopp and labels Liverpool boss a ‘hypocrite’ for criticising Chelsea summer spending

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      FRANK LAMPARD labelled Jurgen Klopp a hypocrite for criticising Chelsea’s summer spending.
      Boss Lampard insists his £200m spree is merely playing catch up with Premier League champions Liverpool following a transfer ban.

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      Frank Lampard has hit back at Jurgen Klopp over his transfer jibeCredit: Reuters

      Reds chief Klopp lost out to Chelsea in the £48m signing of striker Timo Werner and claims his team cannot operate like his Premier League rival.
      But Lampard said: “There’s no point doing the maths. We know that Liverpool have spent at a high level
      “With Liverpool, it’s a fantastic story of a club over the four and a half or five years that Jurgen Klopp’s been there where they’ve managed to get recruitment right to a really high level. 
      “The reality is most clubs that win the league in the modern day have recruited well and have recruited at quite a high level money wise.

      “You can go through the Liverpool players Virgil Van Dijk, Alisson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Sadio Mane, Mo Salah – incredible players that came at a very high price.
      “Liverpool have done it over a period of time. What we have done is come off the back of a ban and tried to address the situation ourselves to help improve us. It’s par for the course. We all know that.”
      Werner opted to join Chelsea as one of FIVE major signings since February this year while the world has been in the economic grip of coronavirus.
      The club’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich is a multi-billionaire with deep pockets.

      Klopp said: ”For some clubs it is less important how uncertain the future is. Owned by oligarchs, owned by countries. We are a different kind of club.
      “We cannot change it overnight and say we want to be like Chelsea.”
      Chelsea have also had £150m sitting in the bank from the sale of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid last summer.

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      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was labelled a hypocrite by Frank LampardCredit: PA:Press Association
      Liverpool signed centre half van Dijk from Southampton three years ago for a world record £75m. In 2018, keeper Alisson joined for £66.8m.
      Lampard insists he finds the cheeky dig amusing rather than annoying but we will soon find out whether it will sour already frosty relations between the clubs.
      Normally mild-mannered Lampard lost his cool during Chelsea’s 5-3 defeat at Liverpool last season in a ruck with the opposition bench.
      It is something he has been anxious to sort out by saying: “I’ll put that right next time I see Klopp.”
      Chelsea face the defending champions in their second game this Sunday.

      Lampard said: “I was less annoyed with it. I found it slightly amusing because I think when you talk about the owners of clubs, I don’t think it matters what line of business they come from.
      “We know they have an incredible coach. We know they have incredible players. The really smart thing Liverpool have done is believe in their coach and believe in their system for a number of years. 
      “It’s a great story but it’s a story where they’ve spent money on players. This summer we’ve spent money on players and now the hard work has to come.” More