More stories

  • in

    Man Utd ‘target Bayern stars Leroy Sane, Leon Goretzka and Alphonso Davies in stunning triple January transfer swoop’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are targeting Bayern Munich stars Leroy Sane, Leon Goretzka and Alphonso Davies, according to reports.The Red Devils are aiming to strengthen their squad following a poor start to the season under Erik ten Hag.Flying winger Leroy Sane is on Man Utd’s radarCredit: GettyLeon Goretzka has largely been stuck on the bench for Bayern this seasonCredit: RexAlphonso Davies is on Man Utd’s radarCredit: GettyThe Dutchman, who coached Bayern’s reserves between 2013 and 2015, did business with his former club during the summer – sealing a £60million double swoop for Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui.And according to Sky Germany, Man Utd’s raid on the Bundesliga giants is far from over.They claim that the Red Devils are monitoring Sane, Goretzka and Davies’ situations heading into January and next summer.Having undergone groin surgery after Euro 2024, Sane has hardly featured for Bayern this season.READ MORE ON MAN UTDThe former Manchester City winger, 28, has been limited to just 32 minutes of action in Vincent Kompany’s first six Bundesliga games in charge.Despite his lack of action this season, Sane’s stock remains high at Old Trafford, particularly due to his exploits with neighbours City between 2016 and 2020.Like Sane, Goretzka has also seen his game time limited under Kompany.The midfielder has played just one minute in the Bundesliga, with a further pair of substitute appearances in the Champions League.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSTen Hag’s Man Utd signingsThe Dutchman has brought in 21 players since moving to Old Trafford in 20222022-23:Antony, (Ajax) £86mCasemiro, (Real Madrid) £70mLisandro Martinez, (Ajax) £46mTyrell Malacia, (Feyenoord) £13mChristian Eriksen, (Brentford) freeMartin Dubravka, (Newcastle) loanWout Weghorst, (Burnley) loanJack Butland, (Crystal Palace) loanMarcel Sabitzer, (Bayern Munich) loan2023-24:Rasmus Hojlund, (Atalanta) £72mMason Mount, (Chelsea) £60mAndre Onana, (Inter Milan) £47mSofyan Amrabat, (Fiorentina) loanAltay Bayindir, (Fenerbahce) £4.3mJonny Evans, (Leicester) freeSergio Reguilon, (Tottenham) loan2024-25:Leny Yoro, (Lille) £52mManuel Ugarte, (Paris Saint-Germain) £50mMatthijs de Ligt, (Bayern Munich) £45mJoshua Zirkee, (Bologna) £36.5mNoussair Mazraoui, (Bayern Munich) £12.8mGoretzka, 29, has won five Bundesliga titles and the Champions League since joining Bayern in 2018.It’s claimed that the experienced German international would like to stay and fight for his place at the Allianz Arena.A day in the life of workaholic Ten Hag revealed by ex-Man Utd coach who jokes ‘his wife is on verge of divorcing him’But should he remain out of favour with Kompany, he could consider a move elsewhere.Davies, meanwhile, has been a regular starter for Bayern this term.But with his contract set to expire in the summer, the 23-year-old is in control of his future.Man Utd would love to tempt the Canadian to Old Trafford on a free transfer.But Real Madrid are still thought to be favourites to secure Davies’ highly-coveted signature.De Ligt and Mazraoui joined United in the summer having both worked with Ten Hag at Ajax.The Red Devils boss has now spent over £200m reuniting with five of his ex-Ajax stars.In addition his two summer signings, he has also forked out to bring Antony, Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez to Old Trafford.READ MORE SUN STORIESDe Ligt and Mazraoui weren’t the first players that Ten Hag has recruited from Bayern, either.In January 2023, United signed Marcel Sabitzer on loan from the Bundesliga giants, although he went on to sign for Borussia Dortmund the following summer. More

  • in

    Chelsea outcast Ben Chilwell linked with shock Napoli transfer but host of Premier League rivals also in the hunt

    BEN CHILWELL could be the latest Premier League star to join the exodus to Napoli.SunSport can reveal the Italian giants – who have already signed Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour – are tracking the Chelsea full-back.Ben Chilwell could join Napoli in JanuaryCredit: ReutersHe’s expected to leave Stamford Bridge in January and Napoli boss Antonio Conte is believed to be a huge fan of the England defender.Chilwell could move on loan with an option to sign a long-term deal at the end of the season.But Napoli won’t have it all their own way. It’s understood a host of Premier League clubs are also admirers of Chilwell.Fulham, Palace and Ipswich are all monitoring the situation and could make their move in January as well.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe England ace almost left Chelsea over the summer but stayed at Stamford Bridge after failing to find a new club.But sources say the ex-Leicester City full-back is concerned about the lack of game-time he is likely to get in West London so is open to a move.Chelsea are also thought to be keen to explore the option of letting Chilwell leave as they grapple with the demands of trying to manage a massive squad.It comes just weeks after it seemed Chilwell had secured a dramatic pathway back into the fold at Chelsea after being named in their Premier League squad.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe £50 million defender was one of the infamous ‘bomb squad’ of unwanted stars banished to train away from the rest of the first-team1 squad by hardline head coach Enzo Maresca during the transfer window.But after failing to find a new club for the one-time England left-back, Chilwell was later included on the 25-man list of players for top flight games this season in a surprise U-turn.Cole Palmer labelled ‘aura personified’ as Chelsea ace stars in nine-minute Burberry ad without saying a wordChilwell’s last appearance for Chelsea was as a two-minute sub appearance in the FA Cup semi final defeat to Manchester City back in April.Chelsea managed to offload many of those stars in a frantic finish to the latest transfer window – Raheem Sterling joined Arsenal, Trevoh Chalobah is on loan at Crystal Palace and keeper Kepa Arribalaga joined Bournemouth on loan too.No deals could be done for Chilwell and he will now remain at Chelsea until January at the earliest.His long term place at Stamford Bridge looks shaky with Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill ahead of him in the pecking order at left back. More

  • in

    Man Utd ‘strike deal to send THREE stars to another of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s clubs THIS WEEK’ in rarely-seen move

    SIR JIM RATCLIFFE has sent three Manchester United wonderkids to train with another Ineos club.The British billionaire acquired a 27.7 per cent stake in the Red Devils last December.Sir Jim Ratcliffe has sent three academy players to another club he runsCredit: AlamyHabeeb Ogunneye is one of those selected to goCredit: GettyDefender Jack Kingdon has gone after leading the Under-18s to glory last seasonCredit: AlamyEthan Williams got the nod after a fine season in front of goal last termCredit: GettyRatcliffe and his chiefs are now in charge of football operations at Old Trafford.Ad they have made the decision to send three highly-rated youngsters to Lausanne.The Ineos group also run the Swiss club.Habeeb Ogunneye, Jack Kingdon and Ethan Williams travelled there today and will be involved in first-team training sessions.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe rarely-seen move is a “reward” for the 18-year-old trio and will help their development, claim the Manchester Evening News.Ogunneye has been on the bench for seven Premier League games but is still waiting for his debut.The right-back has caught the eye for the Under-21s this term.Kingdon signed his first pro contract in the summer and has previously trained with United’s first-team.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe defender is captain of last season’s Under-18s Treble-winning side.And as for Williams, he scored 17 goals and grabbed nine assists for the young champions and he has also mixed with the senior squad before.What happened to these five forgotten Manchester United wonderkidsLausanne were acquired by Ratcliffe in 2017 and they currently sit tenth in the Swiss Super League.French side Nice are also in his football portfolio. Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Emery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More

  • in

    Liverpool sent a private jet to sign me and Klopp called me a mix of Fabregas and Gundogan – but I turned him down

    NOT many players can say Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all wanted to sign them – but Piotr Zielinski can.From the VIP treatment at Jurgen Klopp’s house to Bruno Fernandes begging him to move to Old Trafford, the midfielder is used to a convincing sales pitch.Piotr Zielinski was wanted by a host of Premier League clubsCredit: RexJurgen Klopp flew him to Liverpool on a private jetCredit: PABut despite several chances to move to the Premier League, Zielinski has always felt his home was in Italy.The Poland star was just 14 when Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool were keen on him.But he did not want to leave his homeland and decided to stay put.Eventually, he went to Udinese in 2011 and Serie A has been his playground ever since.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe 30-year-old joined Napoli five years later and went on to play 364 times for the club, winning the league title there in the 2022/23 season.He joined Inter Milan in the summer – but some of the world’s biggest clubs chased his signature during his time in Udine and Naples.He told the Foot Truck podcast: “At one time, Fernandes wanted me to end up at Manchester United. “We are still in touch and we talk quite often. We played together at Udinese and in one of the matches we practically single-handedly beat Milan.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS”Liverpool sent a private jet to Florence for me and I flew with my agent Bartlomiej Bolek.”We drove up to Klopp’s house afterwards, we had a great conversation. It was the first time I had flown like that. How Liverpool’s Jude Bellingham plan backfired with Trent Alexander-Arnold”He said that for him I was a mix of Ilkay Gundogan and Cesc Fabregas.”We watched a Premier League match at his place on his giant TV, I had never seen anything like that either.”Arsenal and Barcelona were also once interested, with his move to Spain not materialising because Napoli demanded players in a swap deal.And when his contract running down in 2022, West Ham tried to sign him before they ended up with Lucas Paqueta.Zielinski revealed: “It was also close, Napoli were already convinced about the offer, they threw in £30million.”They were already looking around for medical care for my wife and child and where I was going to live.READ MORE SUN STORIES”But Luciano Spalletti took me aside and asked me what was going on and I said I would rather stay to fight for the title. “He said I want you to stay and I stayed because I did not really feel London either.” More

  • in

    Ten Hag faces further embarrassment as Liverpool ‘eye transfer’ for star, 21, Man Utd let leave for just £5m months ago

    LIVERPOOL are interested in ex-Manchester United star Alvaro Carreras, according to reports.The left-back switched the Red Devils for Benfica in a £5million deal back in May.Alvaro Carreras is wanted by Liverpool just months after leaving Man UtdCredit: GettyErik ten Hag is under immense pressure after Man Utd’s poor start to the seasonCredit: GettyBut just five months after his transfer, Spanish outlet AS claim he has caught the eye of Liverpool.Carreras’ contract at Benfica runs until 2029 and there is thought to be a release clause that Arne Slot’s side could trigger – though the amount is unknown.The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season with the Portuguese giants on loan.He previously had loan spells at Granada and Preston.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCarreras never made a first-team appearance for Man Utd – but he was named on the bench for several Premier League games.He was highly-rated at the club, winning the Under-23s player of the season award in 2022.Erik ten Hag’s side have had a nightmare start to the season and left-back has been a problem position amid Luke Shaw’s injury.It makes the decision to let Carreras go even stranger, with one supporter saying: “We are very stupid as a club.”Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAnother added: “With our issues at left-back we went ahead and sanctioned a move for the only fit left-back.”Meanwhile, reports in Portugal state that Man Utd have a buy-back option in Carreras’ contract.A day in the life of workaholic Ten Hag revealed by ex-Man Utd coach who jokes ‘his wife is on verge of divorcing him’Why NOBODY is the right man to replace Erik ten Hag at Man UtdSunSport’s DAVE KIDD says Erik ten Hag’s time at Man Utd is up… and explains what’s wrong with all the potential candidates to replace him.THIS is a mid-table squad at an underachieving club, with a lot of unwanted players on big money.And Ratcliffe is an instinctive cost-cutter who may not pay top dollar to the next manager.If this club wasn’t called ‘Manchester United’, it wouldn’t be an especially desirable job.The good news for United is that their new sporting director, Dan Ashworth, is a very decent judge of a manager.He has been instrumental in three previous managerial appointments — Gareth Southgate for England, Graham Potter for Brighton and Eddie Howe for Newcastle.None were wildly popular at the time, all were conspicuous successes.Interestingly, Ashworth’s No 1 choice for the Newcastle job was Unai Emery, who turned him down to stay at Villarreal but has since proved that judgment right by excelling at Aston Villa.Emery may well deliver the coup de grace to Ten Hag on Sunday — especially with Bruno Fernandes suspended and Kobbie Mainoo an injury doubt.And the Spaniard would be an excellent fit for United — yet there is next to no chance that he would abandon Villa’s Champions League campaign to take the Old Trafford job, not least because he isn’t a stark raving madman.Howe would be another good candidate to succeed Ten Hag but, although he has become frustrated on Tyneside, the Saudis would surely not allow Ratcliffe to poach Howe, as they reluctantly did with Ashworth.Potter is available but his Chelsea experience and lack of charisma would make him a tough sell.Which brings us to Southgate, who remains close with Ashworth and is an excellent man-manager who was seriously considered by United last spring.Yet, despite having led England to two of their three major finals, Southgate’s reputation for over-caution was only enhanced during the Euros.Mauricio Pochettino, passed over twice by United, is out of the equation having taken the United States job.Thomas Tuchel would be a popular and gettable option but, despite being a fine coach and a very engaging man, he is considered something of a loose cannon.Likewise, Roberto De Zerbi, now at Marseille after his brief Brighton stint sparkled then fizzled out.Kieran McKenna — a gifted former United coach who has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town — is an intriguing candidate but the imminent vacancy may come a year or so too soon.Marco Silva, the extremely under-rated Fulham boss, has been on United’s radar and should not be discounted.Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, last season’s ‘next big thing’, was passed over by West Ham as well as Liverpool this summer and is not an easy man to pin down.Zinedine Zidane, who has taken over from Alan Curbishley as a 20-1 shot for every Premier League job, is a ‘figurehead’ manager and not an Ashworth type.Ruud van Nistelrooy, the former United goal machine who joined Ten Hag’s coaching team in the summer is the bookies’ favourite. Simply because he’s in the building and he’s Dutch.So, yes, getting rid of Ten Hag is the easy part. More

  • in

    Man Utd ‘open to selling Harry Maguire at shock cutdown price in January’ despite stats showing he’s their best CB

    MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to sanction a cut-price January exit for Harry Maguire, according to reports.The former Red Devils captain, 31, has entered the final nine months of his contract at Old Trafford.Harry Maguire could be on the move in JanuaryCredit: EPAUnited do possess an option to extend the deal by a further year, but will first look to sell the centre-back.According to the Daily Star, Erik ten Hag’s side will listen to offers starting at just £10million for Maguire.The England star previously attracted strong interest from West Ham during the summer of 2023.Despite having fallen out of favour under Ten Hag, Maguire opted to stay at Old Trafford, eventually winning back his place in the team.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThis season he has been in and out of the line-up, starting three of United’s seven Premier League games.The Red Devils stand to make a huge loss on Maguire, having paid £85million for him in the summer of 2019.Even in the summer of 2023 he would have commanded at least £30m.Man Utd recruited Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern Munich ahead of this season in a further bid to push Maguire back down the pecking order.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSStatistically, however, the Sheffield-born ace remains United’s strongest defender in several categories.Compared to De Ligt and Lisandro Martinez this season, Maguire has on average won more duels and aerial duels, while also making more interceptions.Roy Keane reveals he has ‘given up’ with Man Utd as he, Rooney and Neville lay into Ten Hag’s ‘disgusting’ flops Prior to the international break, Maguire scored a last-gasp equaliser for ten-man United in their 3-3 draw with Porto in the Europa League.He then sustained an injury against Aston Villa, being replaced by De Ligt at half-time.After the game he wrote on Instagram: “I’m frustrated to pick up an injury at the weekend, will be a few weeks on the sideline but I’ll come back stronger.”United return to action next Saturday, when they host Brentford at Old Trafford. More

  • in

    Jamie Vardy and wife Becky take secret flight to Bahrain in huge transfer hint over Leicester legend’s next club

    JAMIE VARDY and his wife Becky secretly flew to Bahrain this week as Saudi football clubs continue to clamour to sign him.Insiders said Vardy, who is set to leave Leicester next summer, flew out to the country where fellow Brit Steven Gerrard lives.Jamie Vardy could be set for a summer move to Saudi ArabiaCredit: GettyVardy and wife Becky have shared pictures of them in the Middle EastCredit: InstagramVardy snubbed a move to Saudi last yearThe couple stayed at the Four Seasons hotel in the country, which is next door to Saudi Arabia.A source said: “Jamie and Becky went to Bahrain this week to check it out.“He is in demand from Saudi clubs and while he’s still playing the field he could see what it would be like to possibly live out there.“Bahrain is an hour or so drive from some of Saudi’s big clubs and it’s an amazing country, with a culture very similar to that in Dubai. It’s super relaxed and very glamorous.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“While it was a holiday for them both, and involved a trip to Dubai too, it gave Jamie time to think about what he could do next after he leaves Leicester next summer.“People who know them have joked about a deal in Saudi could easily pay off Becky’s Wagatha Christie bill.”Vardy, who has been with Leicester since 2012, turned down a move to Saudi last summer when he still had a year left on his contract.Clubs, including Khaleej, made a bid for Vardy but he rejected the deal because he didn’t think a move would suit his family.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe family could finally be set to leave England for the Middle EastDespite the rejection, it was reported that Saudi dealmakers were speaking with intermediaries working on Vardy’s behalf to try and negotiate an offer.It is believed a deal struck with Vardy could net him £4million a year.Fans tell Jamie Vardy ‘never change’ as footage emerges of Leicester star slide tackling a KID during title celebrationsClubs including Al-Shabab and Al-Qadsiah were reported to be pursuing Vardy.Former Liverpool star Gerrard manages Al Ettifaq and lives between Saudi and Bahrain – which is favoured by Wags because of its more relaxed laws.His wife Alex enrolled their three youngest children into an exclusive English language school in Bahrain and regularly posts pictures online of her in fancy restaurants.Their home in Bahrain is just a one hour drive from Saudi, where Gerrard’s team are based.Earlier this year, Gerrard’s former Liverpool team-mate Jordan Henderson quit Saudi after six months with Al Ettifaq. More

  • in

    Arsenal star William Saliba ‘in transfer talks with Real Madrid’ as Spanish giants make Gunners star ‘top priority’

    REAL MADRID have reportedly made contact with William Saliba after making him their top priority for a shock transfer. The Arsenal star, 23, is widely considered one of the best centre-backs in world football.William Saliba is a transfer target for Real MadridCredit: GettyHis form for the Gunners has seen him cement himself as a regular in the starting XI for France.And now Los Blancos want to take him to the Bernabeu.According to Le10Sport, Real Madrid are hoping to follow up the signing of Kylian Mbappe this year by adding his compatriot Saliba next summer.Saliba joined Arsenal from Saint-Etienne for £27million in 2019 but had to wait until the 2022-23 season to force his way into the side at the Emirates.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLSince then, though, he has created a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes and he started all 38 Premier League games last season, recording a league-high 18 clean sheets.The 6ft 4ins defender has made his name for being notoriously difficult to beat in one-v-one situations and has managed to keep plenty of the world’s top strikers quiet. Saliba signed a new £190,000-a-week contract at Arsenal in July 2023 which runs until the end of the 2026-27 season.But Real Madrid hope to test the player and the North London club’s resolve by making an approach next year.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe reports in France suggest initial conversations have already taken place to register the LaLiga giants’ interest. According to Transfermarkt, Saliba is the most valuable defender in the world at £67million – the same as Manchester City’s Ruben Dias.Arsenal player ratings vs SouthamptonBut Real will know they would need to stump up significantly more than that to convince Arsenal to sell.In fact, it could take a world-record bid – surpassing the £85m Manchester United paid Leicester for Harry Maguire in 2019 – to sign Saliba.Should Saliba make the shock switch to Spain, he would not only link up with Mbappe but also fellow Frenchmen Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Ferland Mendy. Carlo Ancelotti’s preferred centre-back pairing at the moment is Eder Mlitao and Antonio Rudiger.Rudiger turns 32 this season and therefore the Real Madrid hierarchy could view Saliba as his long-term successor. Ironically, the former Chelsea man won over plenty of Arsenal fans last week when he heaped praise on Saliba and Gabriel.Asked about the top centre-backs in the world, Rudiger said: “Saliba and I like Gabriel from Arsenal as well. If you see Arsenal and the two centre-backs playing together.”For two years now they are doing an amazing job. The transformation from Arsenal before and now.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Those two are the pillars of it. You have Gabriel as the more aggressive leader and Saliba, this brother plays clean.”You have to give it to him he looks like a silent leader.”Saliba is one of the best defenders in world footballCredit: GettyHe would link up with France team-mate Kylian Mbappe at the BernabeuCredit: AFP More