
Nice birthday gift for King as JMR triumph in Thailand
PETALING JAYA: It was a great week for Johor Motorsports Racing's Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ibrahim and English racer Ben Green as they secured a double podium finish in the GT World Challenge Asia championship.
The Corvette Z06 GT3.R drivers were in fine form as they finished first in Race 2 at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand yesterday.
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The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
Premier League 2025/26: Top 5 Transfer Targets to Watch
PREMIER League clubs are already busy strengthening their squads for the 2025/26 season with an early transfer frenzy sparked by the upcoming Club World Cup. AFP Sports looks at five names to watch as the transfer window kicks into gear. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) Liverpool have shown no sign of resting on their laurels as English champions. After a quiet first year for Arne Slot in the transfer market, the Reds have moved quickly to back the Dutchman heavily this summer. The darling of German football, Wirtz looks set to smash the Premier League transfer record should he get his wish of a dream move to Anfield. Liverpool have reportedly had a bid worth up to £109 million ($147 million) rebuffed as Leverkusen hold out for a £125 million fee. That would break the record set by Chelsea's £115 million capture of Moises Caicedo from under Liverpool's noses two years ago. Wirtz was instrumental in Leverkusen's stunning German league and cup double in the 2023/24 season, plus a run to the Europa League final under Xabi Alonso. The two clubs have already agreed one deal as Jeremie Frimpong has joined Liverpool as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) Fresh from the club's worst season since they were relegated 51 years ago, losing their inspirational captain would appear to be the worst possible news for United. However, selling Fernandes to Saudi side Al Hilal could provide much-needed funds for Ruben Amorim to rebuild a squad in his image at Old Trafford. The Red Devils could land £100 million for the 30-year-old, who would become one of the world's highest paid players should be move to the Gulf. 'If the club thinks it's time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it is what it is and football sometimes is like this,' said Fernandes after United lost the Europa League final to Tottenham last month. Fernandes would leave enormous shoes to fill for a side already lacking in creativity and a goal threat. Despite a miserable campaign collectively, only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah provided more goal contributions last season among Premier League players in all competitions than Fernandes' 19 goals and 19 assists. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) Mbeumo is one of United's key targets to end their woes in front of goal. The French-born Cameroon international enjoyed a stellar season with Brentford, scoring 20 times. Mbeumo revelled in becoming the Bees' star man since the departure of Ivan Toney and his partnership with Yoane Wissa carried Thomas Frank's men to an impressive top half finish. Despite interest from Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham, Mbeumo's preferred destination is reportedly Old Trafford if United can reach an agreement with Brentford. United have already added Matheus Cunha to bolster a misfiring forward line. Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon) A remarkable 54-goal season for Sporting has made the Swede a target for a series of clubs seeking more firepower. Arsenal have been strongly linked with bringing Gyokeres back to England as Mikel Arteta seeks a clinical finisher to end the Gunners' five-year trophy drought. The 26-year-old has a 100 million euro (£84 million) buyout clause in his Sporting contract, but it is expected the Portuguese champions would settle for around 70 million euros. Despite six goals in eight Champions League games, there are doubts over Gyokeres' ability to transfer his prolific form in Portugal to the Premier League. He joined Sporting just two years ago from English second tier side Coventry after failing to make the grade at Brighton. Arsenal also have a long-standing interest in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, while Newcastle's Alexander Isak appears an unattainable target after the Magpies qualified for the Champions League. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) Eze will forever be a Palace legend after scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City to deliver the Eagles' first ever major trophy. The England international's eye for goal and a defence-splitting pass has seen him targeted by a plethora of the Premier League's best. City eye the 26-year-old as a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, while Arsenal and Tottenham are also interested and could easily trigger his £68 million release clause.


The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
Five names to watch in the Premier League transfer window
PREMIER League clubs are already busy strengthening their squads for the 2025/26 season with an early transfer frenzy sparked by the upcoming Club World Cup. AFP Sports looks at five names to watch as the transfer window kicks into gear. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) Liverpool have shown no sign of resting on their laurels as English champions. After a quiet first year for Arne Slot in the transfer market, the Reds have moved quickly to back the Dutchman heavily this summer. The darling of German football, Wirtz looks set to smash the Premier League transfer record should he get his wish of a dream move to Anfield. Liverpool have reportedly had a bid worth up to £109 million ($147 million) rebuffed as Leverkusen hold out for a £125 million fee. That would break the record set by Chelsea's £115 million capture of Moises Caicedo from under Liverpool's noses two years ago. Wirtz was instrumental in Leverkusen's stunning German league and cup double in the 2023/24 season, plus a run to the Europa League final under Xabi Alonso. The two clubs have already agreed one deal as Jeremie Frimpong has joined Liverpool as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) Fresh from the club's worst season since they were relegated 51 years ago, losing their inspirational captain would appear to be the worst possible news for United. However, selling Fernandes to Saudi side Al Hilal could provide much-needed funds for Ruben Amorim to rebuild a squad in his image at Old Trafford. The Red Devils could land £100 million for the 30-year-old, who would become one of the world's highest paid players should be move to the Gulf. 'If the club thinks it's time to part ways because they want to do some cashing in or whatever, it is what it is and football sometimes is like this,' said Fernandes after United lost the Europa League final to Tottenham last month. Fernandes would leave enormous shoes to fill for a side already lacking in creativity and a goal threat. Despite a miserable campaign collectively, only Liverpool's Mohamed Salah provided more goal contributions last season among Premier League players in all competitions than Fernandes' 19 goals and 19 assists. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) Mbeumo is one of United's key targets to end their woes in front of goal. The French-born Cameroon international enjoyed a stellar season with Brentford, scoring 20 times. Mbeumo revelled in becoming the Bees' star man since the departure of Ivan Toney and his partnership with Yoane Wissa carried Thomas Frank's men to an impressive top half finish. Despite interest from Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham, Mbeumo's preferred destination is reportedly Old Trafford if United can reach an agreement with Brentford. United have already added Matheus Cunha to bolster a misfiring forward line. Viktor Gyokeres (Sporting Lisbon) A remarkable 54-goal season for Sporting has made the Swede a target for a series of clubs seeking more firepower. Arsenal have been strongly linked with bringing Gyokeres back to England as Mikel Arteta seeks a clinical finisher to end the Gunners' five-year trophy drought. The 26-year-old has a 100 million euro (£84 million) buyout clause in his Sporting contract, but it is expected the Portuguese champions would settle for around 70 million euros. Despite six goals in eight Champions League games, there are doubts over Gyokeres' ability to transfer his prolific form in Portugal to the Premier League. He joined Sporting just two years ago from English second tier side Coventry after failing to make the grade at Brighton. Arsenal also have a long-standing interest in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, while Newcastle's Alexander Isak appears an unattainable target after the Magpies qualified for the Champions League. Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) Eze will forever be a Palace legend after scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City to deliver the Eagles' first ever major trophy. The England international's eye for goal and a defence-splitting pass has seen him targeted by a plethora of the Premier League's best. City eye the 26-year-old as a potential replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, while Arsenal and Tottenham are also interested and could easily trigger his £68 million release clause.

The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
The night Asean football rose
THEY came dressed in Manchester United jerseys, ready to cheer for their favourite players at the recent Maybank Challenge Cup match. But as the game progressed and underdogs Asean All-Stars continued to hold their own, loyalties started to shift. For many in the 72,550-strong crowd at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, it was a night where South-East Asian football took centre stage. The post-season match –Manchester United's first game just days after the English Premier League ended – became something special for local and regional football lovers. 'I wore red for United, but by the second half, I found myself cheering for the Asean team too,' said Nathan George, a lifelong Red Devils supporter. 'Their charges and how they held themselves against the visitors, were surprisingly effective and their fighting spirit eventually won me over. A group of die-hard Manchester United fans from Indonesia waiting to get into the Bukit Jalil National Stadium compound before the Maybank Challenge Cup match. 'The early part of the match was not very exciting. In fact, I believe the fans started Mexican waves in the stands to drive up everyone's spirits,' he said. The turning point of the friendly charity match came in the 71st minute when Myanmar's Maung Maung Lwin swept the ball past United goalkeeper Tom Heaton, sending the crowd into a roar. 'Watching the Asean team fight so hard made me cheer for them without realising,' said another fan, Irfan Fareez. 'It was confusing, but in a good way. 'It started out as a friendly, but the All-Stars really made a statement on their abilities,' he said. The match marked the return of the English club to Malaysian soil after 16 years but ended with an unexpected 1–0 defeat to the All-Stars, a side assembled just days before. Despite the short preparation time, the squad, led by South Korean coach Kim Sang-sik, played with cohesion and grit against the English Premier League side. Throughout the night, the All-Stars frustrated United's attempts with firm tackles, tight marking, and confident passing. Datuk Ramli Sarip (centre) performing for spectators before the start of the match. Manchester United started with a blend of first-team players and younger talents, including Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund. They controlled much of the ball in the first half but were unable to break through a determined Asean defence. Thai goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai made several key saves, including one from Maguire's header and another from Sandro Reyes' shot. After the break, United brought on key players such as Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho in search of a breakthrough. Fernandes came close with a powerful volley, but the All-Stars stayed organised and defended well. The winning goal came after a quick counter-attack finished smartly by Lwin, who had only just come on as a substitute. United pushed hard for an equaliser after the All-Stars' goal, but the Asean defence held firm. The referee's final whistle triggered a split of emotion from the fans, with most erupting in cheers and applause for the Asean side, while a dissatisfied portion of the crowd sent the Red Devils' off with boos. The Asean All-Stars and Manchester United players after the match. Kim, speaking to the press after the trophy presentation, was brimming with pride. 'We trained for two days but they played like they were together for 20 years,' he said. 'The team played with heart. I'm very happy with the victory,' he added. On the other side, manager Ruben Amorim admitted to his team's shortcomings. 'The boos from the fans? It's something we need. These people believe in Manchester United no matter what. It's our duty to improve,' he said. Before kick-off, a concert-like atmosphere featured performances by Datuk Ramli Sarip, local band Bunkface and Indonesian group Nidji. Organisers also presented a mock cheque for RM1mil to the Al-Sultan Abdullah Foundation, with proceeds raised from ticket sales and sponsorships. Among those present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and regional guests who had earlier attended Asean 2025 related events.