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      How Lionesses Alessia Russo became England’s ‘million pound’ golden girl but was left blushing after meeting famous fan

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      AT 11, Alessia Russo was tipped as a future England star by goalscoring great Kelly Smith – and now, 13 years later, she really is making the Lionesses roar.The World Cup forward, who scored the winning goal against Colombia on Saturday to take England into the semi-finals, has been dubbed the “golden girl” of the Women’s Super League.
      Alessia Russo has been dubbed the ‘golden girl’ of the Women’s Super LeagueCredit: MARK CANT/Women’s Health UK
      Alessia in her new Arsenal strip having left Man Utd in a shock transferCredit: Getty
      Alessia with her mum, dad and brotherCredit: Instagram @alessiarusso99
      The 24-year-old had already cemented her place in the nation’s hearts with a spectacular backheel goal for England in last year’s Euros semi-final against Sweden which was named the Goal of the Tournament.
      Now, a month after her transfer to Arsenal from Manchester United, Alessia — known to her family as Lessi — is lighting up the World Cup too.
      And she’s going for gold as well as goals.
      Factoring in commercial deals with such brands as Adidas, Gucci, PlayStation and Beats by Dre, she is now thought be the first WSL player to earn more than £1million a year.
      Read More on Alessia Russo
      With celeb fans such as David Beckham — and his daughter Harper — she is already such a national treasure that her boots have been displayed in the Tower of London.
      Colin Whitfield, a former coach at Bearsted FC in Kent, where she began her footie career, told The Sun she is inspiring a new generation.
      He said: “The girls in particular all want to be the next Alessia Russo. She has inspired lots of people, not just at Bearsted.
      “There’s a real sense of excitement off the back of her success. I can’t see it ever disappearing.”
      Most read in Football
      The Kent-born striker’s rise to the top was on the cards from a young age.
      Coming from Sicilian stock, Alessia grew up in Maidstone in a sporting family — policeman dad Mario played for Met Police FC and coached local kids, brother Giorgio played for non-league team Ramsgate and younger brother Luca represented England in under-20s track and field events.
      Mum Carol recently recalled Alessia as a “cute three-year-old dancing in a tutu” but added that she had been desperate to ditch ballet because she wanted to go to football training with her dad and brothers.
      Coach Mario revealed he had got “strange looks” from other parents when he moved his daughter from the girls’ to the boys’ team after spotting her potential.
      At St Simon Stock Catholic School in Maidstone, Alessia’s star quality was clear, and former head teacher John Malone and PE teacher Claire Brown recall she was a “driven” pupil who “already had the mindset of a great sporting star”.
      John told Good Morning Britain: “She played for the girls’ team but also, up to a certain age, girls can play for the boys’ team.
      “Her reputation was out there in the community. So PE departments from other schools would be calling us on the match day to say, ‘Is that girl playing for you this evening?’.
      “If the answer was yes, they knew that they were going to lose.”
      From the age of eight, Alessia trained at Charlton Athletic’s academy, where in 2006 she was led on to the pitch as a mascot by Casey Stoney, who would later become her boss at Manchester United.
      Offered a contract by Chelsea just as she was considering university, she opted to take a soccer scholarship at the University of North Carolina, where her brother Luca was already studying on an athletic scholarship.
      Her first-year roommate was fellow England player Lotte Wubben-Moy.
      Sporting star
      Her university coach Anson Dorrance — who also trained Lioness Lucy Bronze — told a newspaper: “Players usually slow down in shooting practice to achieve more accuracy.
      “But Alessia never did that, she always played the game. She always went 100mph to try and score a goal, even in an exercise. Russo trained ruthlessly to become the player she is and she’s going to keep getting better.
      “So even to this day I use examples of my great players, Alessia certainly being one of them, to help my current players become elite.”
      Always a star of the England youth teams, once scoring five goals in one match against Croatia aged 17, she was called up to the senior squad in February 2020.
      Seven months later, on her return from the States, the life-long Manchester United supporter was snapped up by the Red Devils.
      Last month, when she left after three years to join Arsenal, she reflected on how it had always been her dream to play at Old Trafford.
      She said: “If I ever picture myself as a little girl, I’m wearing a United shirt with a ball glued to my feet. If someone told that little girl she’d represent the club one day, create so many memories and score at Old Trafford, I can’t imagine how she’d contain the excitement.”
      Alessia has also revealed her health struggles, telling Women’s Health magazine: “In lockdown, it was tough. I was training on my own, I was home and I lost quite a bit of weight.
      “Then I signed for Man United soon after lockdown and within about six weeks, I completely tore my hamstring, which I could only relate back to losing a lot of weight because I’ve never had a muscle injury before.
      “[My diet] was high in protein but I was sacrificing all the carbs and the fats. I used to track everything.
      “I was at a low point with my food and with my weight. I wasn’t strong enough. I wasn’t robust. I thought I looked great but really, on the football pitch, I wasn’t strong enough to compete.”
      While at United, Alessia went on to become United’s top scorer, earning an estimated £35,000 to £45,000 a year, rising to more than £60,000 in her third year, as well as bonuses for goals and winning matches, placing her among the WSL’s highest earners.
      Her income was boosted by her call-up to the Lionesses, with each player paid £2,000 per game for an average of 11 a year.
      Winning the 2022 European Championship brought the elite players into a whole new ball park for earnings, with each of the Lionesses receiving a £50,000 bonus.
      They were also paid £430 a day to take part, for a total of 37 days, meaning a pay cheque of £15,910.
      Along with the Arnold Clark Cup and the Finalissima tournament, each player banked around £88,000, claims sport website The Athletic.
      With Euros glory still fresh in fans’ minds, Alessia was already hot property when she joined Arsenal, who signed her on a free transfer after being knocked back with a world-record bid, estimated to be around £500,000, in January.
      Alessia, who has 567,000 followers on Instagram, can expect to cash in on her fame with commercial deals worth six figures.
      This month, boot sponsor Adidas selected her as one of five players to promote its Champion The Girls initiative, aimed at preventing teenage girls from dropping out of sport, and she appeared alongside David Beckham in a campaign for the brand as well as modelling its Gucci collaboration range.
      After her spectacular Euros goal against Sweden, Adidas displayed her green boots among the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, declaring her a “national treasure”.
      Her advertising earnings are thought to be between £300,000 and £500,000 a year and estimates suggest Alessia earned almost £4,000 from sponsored Instagram posts in the first quarter of 2023, bettered only by England team-mates Lucy Bronze, Beth Mead and captain Leah Williamson.
      Her earnings from social media are expected to have doubled in the run-up to the World Cup.
      PR expert Nick Ede said: “Alessia Russo is a breakout star and with her athletic good looks she can command millions this year.
      “She’s already an ambassador for numerous brands and I can see her expanding this into more luxury and beauty territories.”
      Other schools would call us to ask if she was playing …and if the answer was yes they knew they were going to lose.Former teacher John Malone
      With their sights on the World Cup, the Lionesses stand to earn even more.
      Fifa has guaranteed that every player competing in the tournament will be paid at least £23,500, with every winning player receiving at least £213,000.
      Despite Alessia’s success, many in the world of football praise her lack of arrogance.
      Man United’s Leah Galton said: “She works extremely hard and she’s one of the nicest people off the pitch I think I’ve ever met.”
      David Beckham and 12-year-old daughter Harper enjoyed a chat with Alessia, hosted by Adidas, before England’s World Cup game against Haiti last month.
      Afterwards Alessia said: “He’s been one of my idols ever since I was a little girl.
      “That’s probably one of my biggest highlights, having a normal conversation with someone you used to watch on the world stage when you were younger.
      “It was amazing and he was really nice, a bit of a pinch-me moment in terms of what women’s sport is doing. It’s special to hear that Harper is a huge fan.
      “He said we should never lose sight of what we are doing as a team, which was really cool because we’re all in the moment in terms of all we see and competing every day on the pitch. The impact you have away from that is what’s really special to hear.”
      But Alessia’s biggest fans are still her devoted family, and earlier this month, as she left for the World Cup in Oz, mum Carol posted an emotional tribute to “Lessi”.
      She said: “The day is finally here, I can’t believe you’re off to your first senior World Cup.
      “How exciting. It only seems like yesterday you were that cute little three-year-old, dancing around in your tutu but desperate to give it all up so you could join football coaching with Daddy and play football with Luca and Giorgio.
      “We had no idea, did we, that it would lead to all this?
      Read More on The Sun
      “You’re living your dream and doing what you love, and shining like our little superstar.”

      7.2M see triumph on telly
      THE Lionesses’ 2-1 World Cup win over Colombia was seen on TV by 7.2million delighted fans.
      The quarter-final match drew the tournament’s highest audience so far and was ITV’s second biggest peak audience this year, behind the Grand National.
      England’s win secured a place in the semi-finals against tournament co-hosts Australia on Wednesday.
      And if they beat the Aussies they will then face the winner of the match between Sweden and Spain in Sunday’s final.
      Colombia match winner Alessia said the England team celebrated reaching the semi-finals with a trip to see dolphins.
      On the outing, her team-mate Ella Toone jokily threw a yabby – a type of crayfish – into Lessi’s lap, causing her to fall off a wall.
      And she revealed there was already some friendly rivalry between the England squad and the host nation ahead of Wednesday’s big match in Sydney.
      Arsenal striker Alessia told the England Football YouTube channel: “Some Aussie couple came up to us and said, ‘Congratulations for last night. Good luck for Wednesday – but not too much luck’.
      “I think everyone is looking forward to it and so are we as players. It makes it even more exciting that you’re playing the hosts.
      “We know it’s going to be packed out, so yes, just buzzing for it.”

      Triumphant Alessia in England’s defeat of ColombiaCredit: Rex
      Adidas selected Alessia as one of five players to promote its Champion The Girls initiativeCredit: ADIDAS
      Alessia also has a deal with Beats by Dre
      Young talent Alessia as a footie-mad childCredit: INSTAGRAM/ALESSIA RUSSO
      Mascot Alessia with Casey Stoney in 2006
      Alessia takes a tumble and falls off a wall More

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      England captain Harry Kane’s new baby could be born in Munich – and eligible to play for GERMANY

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      ENGLAND captain Harry Kane’s new baby could be born in Munich — and­ ­eligible to play for Germany.Bayern’s £104m striker, 30, said his fourth tot is due in two weeks.
      Harry Kane’s new baby could be born in Munich — and­ ­eligible to play for GermanyCredit: Bayern Munich
      Pregnant wife Kate scouted hospitals in a secret visit to the city last monthCredit: Getty
      The England captain revealed Kate, 30, was due to give birth in a couple of weeksCredit: Getty
      The England skipper admitted there was a “lot going on” as he discussed his whirlwind £104million transfer from Tottenham.
      He revealed wife Kate, 30, was due to give birth in a couple of weeks but refused to say where, saying: “We’ll do whatever works best for us as a family.”
      However, sources said Kate scouted homes – and hospitals – in a secret visit to Munich at the end of July, and the baby could be born in the German city.
      He or she would then be eligible to hold dual nationality — and could choose to play for England or their great footballing rivals.
      READ MORE ON HARRY KANE
      A source said: “Kate flew out to Munich to do a recce at the end of last month as the deal got closer.
      “They knew that if it got over the line they’d need to be able to ­relocate very quickly.
      “Kate looked at homes but also visited a couple of private hospitals.
      “It’s unlikely Harry will be able to simply fly back to England for the birth and he won’t want to miss it.
      Most read in Football
      “So Munich is a very real possibility and they have to be prepared for that.”
      Kane has “17.08.2023” stitched into his boots, sparking speculation it was the baby’s due date.
      Kate, seen cradling her bump yesterday, watched her hubby’s debut on Saturday — when he came on as a 64th-minute sub in a 3-0 thumping by RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup.
      Speaking at length for the first time about his move, Kane said yesterday: “Kate was in the stadium to watch my debut, with her family, my mum and dad and brother.
      Kane admitted there was a ‘lot going on’ as he discussed his £104million transfer from TottenhamCredit: Getty
      His baby would be eligible to hold dual nationality if born in MunichCredit: Getty
      “It will be something we’ll all remember for ever.
      “I’ve got another baby due in a couple of weeks and there’s a lot going on but my family are fully behind me.”
      Kane revealed he will be signing up for language lessons, and admitted the only word he had learned so far was “servus” – a term for hello and goodbye.
      He said: “Of course, I’m going to try and learn the language. I want to try and embrace the culture, embrace the country.
      “I’m going to have lessons at least once or twice a week to try and pick that up a bit.
      “We have a lot of English-speaking players and staff as well which helps me, but ­ultimately I want to learn to fit in as much as possible
      “The best way of doing that is understanding the language. It will be tough.
      “It is a tough language to learn but it’s something I want to try to do.
      “I’ve only been here for two days, I’ve had one training ­session and one game, so I’m still getting to know the players.
      “I’ve heard great things about the city and I’m sure I’ll get time to explore it, go out for coffee and dinner and meet some of the fans.”
      Kane said Kate and their three young kids, Ivy, Vivienne and Louis, would fly back to the UK today.
      But they first plan to look at houses in posh Munich suburb Grunewald – known as Little Hollywood.
      He said: “Two days ago I was ­sitting in London not quite knowing how it was going to go.
      “The kids don’t know too much about what’s going on. For them it probably feels like a vacation.
      “I’m sure I’ll have time to explain to them. We need to find houses, find properties. We’re not sure how it’s going to work yet.”
      Kane hopes to lead England to victory in the Euros in Germany next summer, and revealed he had received a congratulatory text from Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.
      He said they will speak “when things have calmed down”.
      Kane is expected to start on ­Friday in Bayern’s first league game of the season against Werder Bremen.
      He is hoping to lead the German giants’ charge for silverware – after his first attempt ended in disappointment at the Allianz Arena.
      Max Eberl, sporting director of Bayern’s conquerors RB Leipzig, said: “It’s almost too much what Harry Kane is being saddled with, almost like a Messiah walking on water.”
      Kane said it was “not time to panic” and he would bring leadership to the squad.
      Read More on The Sun
      According to the Federal Foreign Office, a child born in Germany can gain citizenship even if both parents are English.
      But one of them must have an unlimited residence permit for at least three years. Kane ­qualifies as he has a four-year deal with Bayern.
      The ace has ‘17.08.2023’ stitched into his boots, sparking speculation it was the baby’s due dateCredit: Chris Eades
      Kane is to start on ­Friday in Bayern’s first league game of the season against Werder BremenCredit: Bayern Munich
      Kane hopes to lead England to victory in the Euros in Germany next summer More

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      Married footie star Andy Carroll filmed stroking and ‘dirty dancing’ with DJ at house party

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      MARRIED football star Andy Carroll was filmed at a house party stroking a DJ called Kitty McPaws.The former England striker went to the bash after running up a £2,000 bar tab at a club.
      Married football star Andy Carroll has been filmed at a house party stroking a DJ called Kitty McPawsCredit: Supplied
      Carroll and Kitty were seen ‘dirty dancing’ as if oblivious to the others in the roomCredit: Supplied
      Carroll is wed to Towie star wife Billi MucklowCredit: Focus Images
      Carroll and Kitty were seen dirty dancing as if oblivious to others in the room.
      One onlooker said ex-­Liverpool, Newcastle and West Ham star Carroll, who was pictured in bed with two women on his stag do, was also ­coming on to other women.
      The female guest added: “He was talking about what he wanted to do with them.
      “It was shocking for someone who is married.”
      READ MORE ON ANDY CARROLL
      His Towie star wife, Billi Mucklow, has since been ­holidaying in Spain with their three children while he begins the new season with League One Reading.
      Meanwhile DJ Kitty, real name Georgia Sims, has been thrilling fans online by posing in figure-hugging latex gear.
      On the night of the party Carroll was with pals at the Aura Bar and Grill in Loughton, Essex, where Kitty was with a DJ pal called Lady Roc.
      A dozen-strong group then went to Lady Roc’s home nearby.
      Most read in Football
      Carroll and Kitty gazed into each other’s eyes as she wrapped her leg around his waist.
      The party guest said: “He caressed her bum. It was very flirty.
      “Someone made a joke that Kitty McPaws was living up to her name because they were pawing each other.
      “Andy was very carefree. He knew others were watching and that at one stage he was filmed with Kitty.”
      Carroll, 34, and Billi, 35, wed in May last year despite the shock picture from his Dubai stag do.
      The two women insisted he had passed out and that “nothing had happened”.
      Earlier tonight, Kitty said: “He was on a night out and I was DJing. We had a quick chat before my set. That was it.”
      Carroll was approached for comment
      Today, he missed a penalty in Reading’s 1-0 defeat at Port Vale.
      One party guest said that it was very flirtyCredit: Supplied
      They said Kitty McPaws was living up to her name, as they were pawing each otherCredit: Supplied
      Carroll’s wife Billi has been holidaying in Spain with their kids while he begins the new season with League One ReadingCredit: Supplied More

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      I was mistaken for an Aston Villa star and hounded for autographs by ‘hundreds’ of fans – I signed them anyway

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      A FOOTBALL fan was mistaken for a Premier League star — and went along with it as he posed for pictures and signed autographs.Amando Boakye, 23, was mobbed as he attended Aston Villa’s pre-season match with Valencia.
      Football fan Amando Boakye, 23, was mistaken for a Premier League star — and went along with it as he posed for pictures and signed autographs.Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      Amando, above, think fans mistook him for Villa midfielder Jacob RamseyCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      Amando with Tyrone MingsCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      The Ghanian believes fans mistook him for Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey — and he was happy to play along.
      He had arrived at the Mestalla Stadium last Saturday wearing a Villa training top — and suddenly was in demand.
      He said: “I drew a crowd of more than 200. People wanted autographs and pictures and I did them for an hour before the game. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.
      “They were eager to take the pictures with me so I felt I had to do it to make them happy.
      READ MORE ON ASTON VILLA
      “I was relaxed and did it for them like a professional. It felt like I was a player and I was ­living my dream of playing for Aston Villa.”
      In a video, viewed more than 600,000 times, he said: “I’m Jacob Ramsey. Can’t believe my eyes. I’m living the best of my life.”
      It has proved an online hit. One user said: “F****** priceless. A young fella’s dream come true.” Another said: “I have no idea what is happening in this footage. I don’t think our man does either.”
      Charity worker Amando, from Juaben, runs Villa fan club Ghana Lions, with more than 28,500 Twitter followers.
      Most read in Football
      It was the first time he had seen the Midlands club play live in person, having travelled from Luxembourg, where he was staying with a mate.
      And after the match he got a picture with the club’s England defender Tyrone Mings by the team bus.
      Amando being mobbed by fans after his autograph – which he was happy to giveCredit: Kennedy Newsand Media
      HE’S A VILLA FAN, NOT A CRIMINAL
      THE word Villan has been used to describe fans of Aston Villa since 1879.
      Some wrongly assume it’s a misspelling of “villain” — the bad guy in fiction or slang for a crook.
      Club programme editor Jack Urry is credited with coming up with the term, while The Villa Villan character was designed by cartoonist Tom Webster in 1905. More

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      Manchester City hero Jack Grealish’s plans to build extension at lavish new home hits major hurdle

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      JACK Grealish’s plans to build an extension at his lavish new home have hit a snag with wingers.The Man City and England midfielder has been told to build a roost for bats which have been seen at the property.
      Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish has hit a planning problem over his new homeCredit: Getty
      He has also been told by wildlife officials that he must put up nesting boxes for birds.
      Grealish, 27, has applied for planning permission to build a leisure suite, including cold plunge pool, sauna and steam rooms, at his £5.6million Cheshire mansion.
      He is also planning to build a dedicated games room above the garage.
      But conservation officer James Baggaley has told planners that an updated bat survey must be ­carried out first.
      READ MORE JACK GREALISH
      He also calls for the incorporation of features for nesting birds and roosting bats.
      We revealed last month how Grealish planned to include a bar in his property.
      But rather than serving booze, it is more likely to be to cater for his fiancée Sasha Attwood.
      England winger Grealish, 27, paid bought the seven-bedroom mansion with 20 acres of land in a secluded part of Cheshire last August.
      Most read in Football
      It has a wood-panelled “gentleman’s office”, floodlit tennis courts, a professionally laid-out golf hole, a stocked fly-fishing lake — and even a helipad. More

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      Alan Shearer will be ‘ecstatic’ if Harry Kane moves to Bayern Munich, says Gary Lineker

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      PREMIER League great Alan Shearer will be “ecstatic” if Harry Kane moves to Bayern Munich.The Newcastle legend holds the division’s goalscoring record with 260.
      Alan Shearer will be ‘ecstatic’ if Harry Kane moves to Bayern Munich – as it may help preserve his own goal-scoring recordCredit: Getty
      Shearer fears Kane — on 213 — could beat his 260-goal record if he stays in EnglandCredit: Getty
      And he fears Kane — on 213 — could beat him if he stays in England.
      Shearer, 52, has even joked he would drive Kane to Germany himself to protect his record.
      Reacting to the striker’s possible departure, his pal Gary Lineker wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “An emergency podcast is on the cards with an ecstatic Alan Shearer.”
      The social media platform was flooded with memes yesterday suggesting Shearer was wildly celebrating the England skipper’s possible departure.
      READ MORE ON HARRY KANE
      Meanwhile, other Premier League greats had their say on the will-he-stay, will-he-go saga.
      Ex-Liverpool and Man United star Michael Owen said Kane should stay at Spurs, adding: “Becoming all-time Premier League top goalscorer is a bigger achievement than winning the league in a country dominated by one team.”
      His former teammate Jamie Carragher agreed, saying breaking Shearer’s record would be “huge”.
      But Rio Ferdinand saw it differently, saying: “You don’t start ya career wanting to win the Golden Boot. You want to win things for ya team.”
      Most read in Football
      And Gary Neville urged Kane to leave — for his old side Man United, saying: “He puts them in the realm of catching City.”
      Jamie Carragher said breaking Shearer’s record would be ‘huge’Credit: Getty More

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      I thought I’d won £200 on bet but I ended up getting into huge trouble with my wife

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      A FOOTIE fan who won £200 on a stadium bet accidentally signed up to an adult website while trying to collect his winnings online.Trevor Jones, 51, reckons he was redirected via a “dodgy” QR code to 18+ hook-up platform FlirtyMeetings.com — and left facing a tricky conversation with wife Julia, 49.
      Trevor Jones who won £200 on a stadium bet accidentally signed up to an adult website while trying to collect his winnings online
      Trevor put a £40 accumulator on the club’s opening day Championship clash against Rotherham – but ended up subscribed to an adult dating siteCredit: Getty
      Stoke City supporter Trevor put a £40 accumulator on the club’s opening day Championship clash against Rotherham, and was cock-a-hoop when they won 4-1.
      But he said: “They ran out of cash. I was told to scan the code, which I did the next day.
      “I had to put in my bank details to get my cash. When I did it said ‘Congratulations, you’ve subscribed to flirtymeeting.com.”
      So far he has been debited £2.50 but said his bank told him it had blocked a further £46.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL STORIES
      Trevor, of Whitchurch, Shrops, added: “I had to tell Julia. She rolled her eyes and said it could only happen to me.
      “The bank statements hadn’t come through for her to see, but I did have to say something first.”
      The saucy site promises paid subscribers that they “will meet singles and possibly meet up as early as tonight!”
      The club said on-site betting is provided by a third-party.
      Most read in Football More

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      Harry Kane ‘increasingly likely’ to stay at Spurs despite being given go-ahead for £104m move to Bayern Munich

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      ENGLAND captain Harry Kane was yesterday given the go-ahead for a mega-money move from Spurs to German big-shots Bayern Munich.The Premier League side finally accepted an offer of £104million after rejecting three bids.
      Our mock up of Harry Kane in Bavaria should he sign for Bayern Munich
      Kane was given the go-ahead for a mega-money move from Spurs to German big-shots Bayern MunichCredit: Getty

      Last night Harry, 30, was still yet to sign — despite vowing his future must be decided before Spurs start the new season on Sunday.
      But amid reports that he was ­having second thoughts and would stay, Bayern sources said the club were confident of landing Harry.
      The England striker has the choice between playing Champions League football and finally winning silverware or remaining in London and trying to break the Premier League goal record.
      Kane is understood to have settled personal terms which would see his wages double, and has taken his family to scout for a new home.
      Read More on Harry Kane
      But there is speculation that he has become worried about uprooting pregnant wife Katie, 29, and children Ivy, four, Vivienne Jane, two, and Louis, six months.
      Bayern, who have been European champions six times and won the German title 33 times, were sure they had their man.
      They have agreed a deal with Tottenham worth up to £104million after long weeks of negotiations.
      Spurs — who last won a major ­trophy when they lifted the League Cup in 2008 — had previously turned down three offers.
      Most read in Football
      Kane then set a deadline to bring the will-he-won’t-he saga to a head.
      He insisted it had to be sorted before new boss Ange Postecoglou’s men kick off the new campaign at Brentford on Sunday.
      Harry’s delay in signing the deal yesterday led to fears among some that he was turning his back on a £22million-a-year payday.
      Amid all the confusion late last night, it was reported that Kane has agreed to join Bayern on a proposed four-year contract.
      He was leaning towards staying at his boyhood club but opted to leave at the last minute, according to sports website The Athletic.
      He has been given permission by Spurs to travel for medical tests that will finalise the deal, it was said.
      But other sources said the complexity of the deal honed by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy meant it “might not be concluded quickly”.
      A breakthrough would end a ­stellar Spurs career spanning 20 years at the North London club.
      Kane netted 30 times last season despite playing in a lacklustre Spurs side which finished ia disappointing eighth.
      That left the North London club without European football.
      He was said to have been impressed by the siren call of Bayern’s former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel and the hope of Champions League glory with the current Bundesliga champs.
      And though he might not be a drinker, his mates could have been looking forward to him living near the world-famous Oktoberfest and its beer halls.
      The average German spends about £3.50 for a pint — about 36 per cent less for a typical beer than in London.
      Even if he did not fancy a stein or two, he could chill out in the Bavarian city’s impressive main park.
      Called the Englischer Garten — English Garden — it is the size of 690 football pitches.
      Yet Kane — Tottenham’s all-time top goalscorer and winner of the 2018 World Cup golden boot for the Three Lions — is known to have been eyeing up Newcastle legend Alan Shearer’s Premier League record of 260 goals.
      He is currently 47 behind Shearer, but has already broken Wayne Rooney’s all-time England scoring record — getting his 56th goal in June.
      He has been Spurs’ undoubted star every year since 2014, but has just two League Cup runners-up medals to his name.
      He played a four-goal starring role in Sunday’s 5-1 friendly win over Shakhtar Donetsk which could be his last game for Spurs.
      The club valued him at £200million at one point and there were claims Levy would have accepted £150million in talks with Manchester City in 2021.
      But the continuing wrangle over his future is piling more pressure on the Spurs hierarchy — as they will not make a penny if he leaves on a free transfer after his contract expires next year.
      Bayern boss Tuchel has been confident of getting his man, and fans hoped their city would provide a further lure.
      It is also home to the spectacular Olympic Park. Built for the 1972 Olympics, it hosts a variety of major concerts.
      Kane could also find inspiration for expanding his luxury car collection by visiting the BMW museum.
      The city has plenty for his family too — including Hellabrunn Zoo, ranked among the best safari parks in Europe.
      Spurred to train
      ANY uncertainty in Harry Kane’s mind over where he will be playing this season didn’t show in his training session with Spurs on Wednesday.
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      The striker played a full part in team drills despite ongoing speculation.
      Kane netted 30 times last season despite playing in a lacklustre Spurs sideCredit: Rex
      Kane at the Hotspur Way Training CentreCredit: Rex
      The squad had a rest day yesterday but Kane is said to enjoy working under new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
      Bayern’s headcoach Thomas TuchelCredit: AFP
      Thomas Mueller and Manuel Neuer celebrate with the trophy and teammates after winning the Bundesliga in 2023Credit: Reuters
      Bayern Munich celebrate winning the Champions League with the trophy in 2020Credit: Reuters
      Bayern’s home ground – the Allianz ArenaCredit: Getty More