Newcastle end pre-season winless after Atletico defeat
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Metro
a few seconds ago
- Metro
Chelsea offer two players in deal to sign £60m star Xavi Simons
Chelsea have offered RB Leipzig two players as they look to agree a deal to sign Xavi Simons. The Blues have already spent over £200m this summer but intend to complete more business before the summer transfer window closes. Chelsea identified Simons as a target earlier in the summer and have been in constant talks with Leipzig over a deal. Simons, a talented playmaker, has scored 21 goals in 76 appearances for the Bundesliga club and earned 28 caps for the Netherlands. RB Leipzig value Simons at around £60m but Chelsea are keen to drive that price down and are even willing to send a player the other way. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal. Chelsea have mentioned Christopher Nkunku during negotiations and believe the German club are interested in a deal for their £52m signing, according to The Guardian. Nkunku was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season and was the league's top goalscorer before his miserable spell at Stamford Bridge. The 27-year-old has been linked with Bayern Munich and multiple Premier League clubs over the last six months and wants a move to revive his stuttering career. Despite his struggles in west London, Chelsea still value Nkunku at around £40m so would be happy to pay a sizeable fee on top for Simons. RB Leipzig have also expressed interest in Chelsea academy graduate Tyrique George, who made his first-team debut last season and was on the bench as the Blues won the Conference League final against Real Betis. Jamie Gittens – £48m from Borussia Dortmund Joao Pedro – £55m from Brighton Liam Delap – £30m from Ipswich Town Mamadou Sarr – £12m from Lyon Dario Essugo – £18m from Sporting CP Estevao Willian – £29m from Palmeiras Kendry Paez – £17m from Independiente del Valle Jorrol Hato – £37m from Ajax The 19-year-old has been at Stamford Bridge since the age of eight and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea are open to using him as part of the deal. George has indicated he is keen to explore his options this summer as he knows regular first-team football will be hard to come by next season. Given Chelsea's heavy spending this summer, any deal for Simons will rely on player sales, with Nicolas Jackson also put up for sale. Jackson was linked with Manchester United before they spent £74m on Benjamin Sesko and remains a figure of interest to Newcastle. Newcastle are considering their options for the No. 9 position after Alexander Isak informed the club he wanted to leave and join Premier League champions Liverpool. The Carabao Cup holders have told Isak he will not be sold but Newcastle are at least making some arrangements for his sudden departure. More Trending Chelsea initially slapped a staggering £80m price-tag on Jackson but have already slashed that figure to drum up interest. Enzo Maresca's side thumped AC Milan 4-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in their final pre-season friendly before the Premier League starts on Friday. Chelsea, who finished fourth last season, kick-start their 2025-26 campaign next Sunday against London rivals Crystal Palace. As well as pursuing Simons, Chelsea are still interested in signing Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Liverpool's £40m new signing called out for error after Community Shield defeat MORE: Diogo Jota tribute 'spoiled' leaving Liverpool v Crystal Palace commentators appalled MORE: Crystal Palace stun Liverpool on penalties to win Community Shield for first time ever
Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Dundee United 2-3 Hearts: relief for Clark as head boy Findlay keeps Tynecastle side top of the table
If the Hearts squad manage to have a night out any time soon, Zander Clark might want to make sure he's the first man at the bar. While he's getting the drinks in, the goalkeeper should also order a double for Stuart Findlay after the big defender bailed him out in remarkable fashion at Tannadice. Hearts' turbo-charged start to the season was in danger of being derailed after Clark was at fault for two goals from Dundee United wide man Ivan Dolcek which cancelled out Lawrence Shankland's early spot-kick opener for the visitors. Step forward Findlay, who is quickly becoming a favourite of the Hearts support. After scoring in last Monday night's 2-0 win over Aberdeen, the Oxford United loanee produced two more outstanding headed goals — the second of them coming in the 94th minute — to earn a dramatic victory. It keeps Derek McInnes' side on top of the Premiership table and maintains the momentum sparked by ambitious Brighton owner Tony Bloom's financial investment in the club. If the finale was one to savour for those of a Gorgie persuasion, it was cruel on United who contributed to a tremendous contest on the back of their impressive 2-2 draw with Rapid Vienna in the Conference League qualifiers. On this evidence, they are capable of enjoying another successful domestic campaign. For Hearts and their jubilant fans, who knows where this season might lead? There is surely still plenty of improvement to come from the squad being assembled, while in the short term they are displaying a happy knack of always finding a way to win games. Shankland and Claudio Braga are quickly establishing what could be a highly profitable partnership up front and they combined intelligently on the left to force a corner which presented the visitors with their first opening of the afternoon. Harry Milne, who continues to impress at left wing-back, whipped over an inviting delivery and the unmarked Frankie Kent should have done better than head over from around eight yards. United's response was positive and they showed no early indications of feeling any adverse effects from their exertions in securing such a creditable result in Austria last Thursday night. Vicko Sevelj forced Clark into action for the first time when he found time and space to unleash a sweetly-struck right-foot shot. On an afternoon when Clark wouldn't cover himself in glory, he was alert to the danger on this occasion as he threw himself to his right to turn the ball wide. The tone was set for a hugely absorbing contest, with play sweeping from end to end. Hearts missed another glorious opportunity in the 14th minute when Alan Forrest picked out Braga with a perfect cross from the right, only for the forward to steer his close range header straight at Yevhen Kucherenko. McInnes' men made the breakthrough five minutes later as sustained pressure saw United's Moldovan defender Iurie Iovu clumsily pull down Findlay inside the six yard box. Referee David Dickinson had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Shankland coolly sent Kucherenko the wrong way from 12 yards. Just as Hearts appeared primed to take control of the contest, United delivered the perfect riposte in the 22nd minute. Kent conceded a free-kick just outside the penalty area when he got caught on the wrong side of Owen Stirton and hauled down the young United forward. Dolcek struck the set-piece sublimely with his left foot to bend it over the defensive wall. Clark, having got his left hand to the ball, should have done better than simply help it on its way into the net. If that was a source of huge frustration for McInnes, worse was to follow as United completed their first half turnaround with a second goal four minutes before the break. Panutche Camara's clever pass set Dolcek free on the left of the penalty area. His rising shot was completely misjudged by the goalkeeper who got his angles horribly wrong and fumbled the ball into the roof of the net. Hearts equalised in the 58th minute, Findlay rising to meet Milne's corner and steer home a picture-book header beyond Kucherenko. It looked as if Hearts would have to settle for a point but a flurry of stoppage-time pressure paid a rich dividend when Findlay stretched every sinew to meet Alexandros Kyziridis' corner and grab the winner with an angled near-post header. Dundee United (3-5-2): Kucherenko 6.5; Iovu 6, Esselink 6.5, Keresztes 6.5; Thomson 7.5, Sevelj 7, Camara 7.5 (Fotheringham 66), Sibbald 6.5, Dolcek 8; Stirton 7.5, Sapsford 6 (Fatah 66). Booked: Keresztes, Camara, Sevelj. Manager: Jim Goodwin 7.5. Hearts (3-5-2): Clark 4; Kent 5 (Steinwender 46), Halkett 7.5, Findlay 8.5; Forrest 6 (Kyziridis 46), McEntee 7, Devlin 7, Spittal 6.5 (Kerjota 63), Milne 7.5 (Kingsley 77); Shankland 7.5, Braga 7.5 (Wilson 84). Booked: Milne, Braga, Kyziridis, Findlay. Manager: Derek McInnes 8.5.
The Sun
a minute ago
- The Sun
Man Utd hardman Roy Keane shows his softer side with wholesome Instagram post and nine-word message on 54th birthday
FOOTBALL hardman Roy Keane has shown off his softer side with a wholesome Instagram post. Keane celebrated his 54th birthday on Sunday by posting a series of heartwarming photos and videos of himself soaking in some sun alongside his family. 6 6 6 6 6 The former midfielder, who was a no-nonsense general during his playing days with the likes of Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, started out his post by showing himself relaxing in a pool. Keane was seen sunbathing on an inflatable while wearing glasses. He captioned the post: "Happy Birthday to me. All the gifts I need." And Keane's next pictures and videos showed exactly what those presents were, as Keane showed he is a big softie at heart with his grandchildren. The Irishman was seen holding his infant grandson while in a holiday home, with a striking bronze tan also adorning his skin. He then shared pics of him playing alongside another of his grandchildren with the sand at the beach. The next pic showed him in the pool with two of them, with Keane all smiles as he hogged an inflatable dragon. One of his grandkids was filmed jumping in the pool next, with Keane delighting as he then picked him up and threw him up in the air. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The final image of Keane's birthday post showed him pushing a buggy with one of his grandkids in it. Birthday wishes from scores of his 2.3 million followers and fans came flooding in. Roy Keane takes time to sign autographs for kids at the Cork City game vs Sligo Rovers The Overlap account said: "Happy Birthday Roy!" A fan said: "Have a great one, sir. You're nothing but a breath of fresh air." A second fan added: "Imagine your grandad being Roy Keane man." Boxing coach David Coldwell said: "The main man. Happy Birthday!" A fourth fan joked: "Looking after the grandkids? That's his job." A fifth said: "Birthdays? Do me a favour." Keane has revealed he has three grandchildren, but is usually notoriously protective of his private life. The latest member of the Keane family was welcomed in April, with Keane introducing him to the public via a beaming Instagram post. His daughter, Leah, is engaged to one-cap England and Southampton star Taylor Harwood-Bellis. However, the 23-year-old has likely heeded Keane's advice and kept shtum on talking about their private lives too much. Last month, the former Republic of Ireland international was seen signing an autograph for a kid while he attended a game for his hometown team of Cork City. Keane will doubtless have plenty of chances to show off his famous barbed tongue this season when he returns to the studio as a pundit for Sky Sports. His old club, United, always seem to be in the headlines for the wrong reasons in recent years, and many would be shocked if that did not continue despite talk, once again, of the club heading in a new direction. 6
