Liverpool 'eyeing shock £100m move for boyhood fan from Premier League rival as champions look to continue summer spending spree'
Liverpool are reportedly considering making another big money move, this time for a player from a Premier League rival.
The Reds have already been very active this summer, agreeing a record-breaking deal to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Germany star will complete a switch to the Premier League champions for a club-record £100m, which could rise to a British-record £116m, after turning down Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Arne Slot 's side have already signed Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for £29m and Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m.
And they have now set their sights on a high-profile winger, according to The Sun.
Newcastle star Anthony Gordon is said to be high on their wishlist following talks last summer.
The Magpies were in a bad financial situation back then but find themselves in better shape after securing Champions League football next term.
Gordon is a boyhood Liverpool fan and a move to the team he grew up supporting may be enticing, especially after a season in which they ran away with the title.
He signed a new contract last October and managed six goal and six assists in the top flight in the 2024-25 campaign.
The interest in 24-year-old Gordon comes with uncertainty over the future of Luis Diaz.
The Colombian says he is happy at Anfield but revealed he could explore other opportunities this summer — with interest from LaLiga giants Barcelona.
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The Independent
18 minutes ago
- The Independent
Tatjana Maria crowned queen of Queen's as women's tournament celebrates triumphant return
Fifty-two years ago Olga Morozova was the last woman to lift the Queen's trophy. Her stint as defending champion lasted until Tatjana Maria lifted an enormous new trophy – the old one lost to the mists of time – on Sunday. It crowned a week in which the traditions of one of tennis' most hallowed tournaments merged with the contemporary drive to push women's sport to ever-greater heights. This time a year ago there was outrage from some quarters at the thought the women would return to Queen's after a fifty-year absence. Members of the prestigious west London club objected to their facilities being taken out of action for even longer than usual; there were concerns over wear on the grass ahead of the men's event. A bloc of Queen's members even attempted to force the board to resign over the concept of dragging the tournament into the 21st century. If that felt hideously backward last year, it appears even more near-sighted today, after a triumphant week for the rejuvenated women's event. (Even the British weather largely cooperated, barring a couple of rain delays early on.) And it felt fitting that the tournament's debut would have two trailblazers, in different ways, in the final. The surprise package of the week has been qualifier Tatjana Maria. A 37-year-old veteran of the tour, she took two breaks from the game to have daughters Charlotte, 11, and Cecilia, four, who accompany her – along with her coach-husband Charles-Edouard – to every tournament. The German reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2022 but hasn't found the same level since, enduring a nine-match losing streak before coming to Queen's. 'It's the perfect example to never give up and always keep going, because I'm still here and living this dream,' she said on Friday. It certainly is. On the other side of the net was 23-year-old Amanda Anisimova, a former teenage prodigy, who showcased her incredible potential with a run to the French Open semi-finals aged just 17. Tennis abounds with cautionary tales of young stars who burn brightly and then burn out; Anisimova, struggling with the stress of life on tour, took a break in 2023 to look after her mental health and rediscover who she was. Taking a step back worked wonders, and she has reached new heights since her return, winning her maiden WTA 1000 title earlier this year and moving up to a career-high ranking of 15th. World No 86 Maria was the underdog by ranking going into this final. Then again, she has been in every match she has played this week, but her guile and experience have seen her through. The low bounce of grass perfectly suits her crafty, unconventional game, built on a slice that has been confounding the world's best players all week. She dispatched 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina and Australian Open champion Madison Keys in the quarter- and semi-finals; she rapidly got on top of Anisimova, a player with a similar power-hitting style. Maria denied Anisimova any rhythm, taking all the pace off the ball, and earned a chance to break early with a crunching topspin forehand. She took the chance and raced to a 4-1 lead in 15 minutes, with Anisimova already baffled at how to deal with this most bamboozling of opponents. The young American's formidable groundstrokes helped get her back on serve, but she could not build any momentum, and Maria immediately broke back, holding to love to seal the first set. The German – now the oldest WTA 500 finalist, and oldest champion – broke at the start of the second, her ability to mix slice and spin with a deft touch at the net continuing to get the better of her big-hitting opponent. One point, on Maria's serve at 2-1, summed up the match: Anisimova fired down smash after smash, only for Maria to dig each one out at the baseline, before the American eventually hit long. She looked on the verge of tears. Maria held after a mammoth 20-point game, then broke again, picking up a backhand volley that was mere millimetres away from bouncing twice to seal it. Anisimova reduced her deficit to just one break and stuck with the German in the latter stages of the set, but there was no getting past an inspired Maria. The American blasted a forehand wide on championship point, and Maria sealed the biggest singles title of her career, 6-3, 6-4. 'I wouldn't be surprised to see you in the Wimbledon final,' Anisimova said afterwards, jokingly adding, 'I think that bigger champagne bottle is for me, because I need it more.' Maria, whose speed and agility on the court belied her age, jumped for joy and raced to celebrate with her family – although her four-year-old may have missed the moment of her mother's biggest triumph, sleeping peacefully in the player's box. 'Queen of Queens', the 37-year-old wrote on the camera lens. Both players thanked the appreciative crowds, Anisimova adding, 'For you to come out and support women's tennis so much, it means a lot'. The crowd has certainly got behind the new tournament: around 80% of tickets were sold ahead of the first day's action, with the Andy Murray Arena filled to bursting on quarter-finals day on Friday, even before Emma Raducanu – third on the schedule – took to the court. Semi-finals day on Saturday sold out. The response from the players, too, has been resoundingly positive. Second seed Keys, one of the most high-profile women to feature, said after her quarter-final win on Friday that 'I think it's the best 500 that I have played'. She noted that the fact that it had already attracted such a competitive field in its first year – including six Grand Slam champions and three of the current top 10, despite taking place immediately after the French Open – made it a 'pretty high-level 500 right away'. Heather Watson, a veteran of British tennis, went further: 'I think it's huge for tennis in this country.' Katie Boulter, whose battle with Raducanu for the British No 1 spot has taken centre stage this week, said, 'Queen's is everything that I kind of dreamt it would be. I feel like it's a moment for women's tennis and women's sport in general right now.' Both Boulter and Maria called it a 'privilege' to play here. At times the tournament proved unable to handle the scale of demand. The doubles partnership between Boulter and Raducanu proved such an attraction that punters queued for over an hour to access their first-round match. Warned that once they were let in, they would be unable to leave, fans opted against loo breaks and refills of Pimm's in favour of watching British tennis' two biggest stars. Their matches would likely have filled the 7,700-capacity Andy Murray Arena too, but due to the tournament's contractual obligations with the WTA, which prioritises singles matches on main courts, 'Boultercanu' were stuck on the standing-room-only Court 1. A thousand fans crammed in to cheer them on. Unlike the majority of mixed tournaments, Queen's is running its women's and men's events on separate weeks. That has meant that the thousands of spectators descending on west London each day have turned up in their masses solely to watch women's tennis. Those punters have had their faith repaid. Perhaps in the future the two tournaments will integrate fully – although Keys quipped, 'I like when we don't have to share with the boys'. For now, the spotlight has been solely on the women; they have made sure it has been a blinding success.
Metro
20 minutes ago
- Metro
Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson hold 'peace dinner' ahead of Soccer Aid match
Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson are said to have officially buried the hatchet ahead of this year's Soccer Aid match. The podcast host, 32, and One Direction superstar, 33, have been training together for the charity game this weekend at Old Trafford in Manchester. Sam and Louis join the likes of Tom Grennan, Bella Ramsey, Wayne Rooney, and Jill Scott as the England team takes on World XI FC to raise vital funds for UNICEF. And while fundraising is, of course, the main focus of the event, there has been quiet drama simmering on the sidelines that has also captured fans' attention. You'll remember that Sam was dating former Love Islander Zara McDermott, 28, for five years before shocking everyone by calling it quits last December. Pop star Louis then struck up an unlikely romance with the documentary maker, and they've been spotted on several cosy dates and blissful getaways in recent months. And while everyone was eager for a showdown between Sam and Louis as they both took to the pitch in the name of Soccer Aid, reports claim the pair are keen to avoid anything of the sort. According to The Sun, Zara's ex and her new lover held somewhat of a peace dinner before kick-off. The meal allegedly took place at Champneys in Tring, Herts, with other teammates present. A source told the publication: 'There is no beef between the pair, and they're both going to ensure their love lives don't distract from such a big charity spectacle. 'They are fully aware that their every move is being scrutinised, and they've broken bread with their teammates, so it'll be smooth sailing on the day.' Louis last played for Soccer Aid several years ago, so he's keen to make a strong comeback. He said after his signing was confirmed for the England team: 'Manchester! It's about 10 years since I last turned out for Soccer Aid, so I thought it was about time I returned to the pitch.' Meanwhile, Sam has been ruled out of any pitch action due to injuries he acquired last week during his five-day Soccer Aid challenge. The intense Match Ball Mission saw Sam run and cycle a total of 260 miles from London to Manchester, raising over £1.5million for UNICEF. Alas, Sam has now been forced to take a backseat and help out with Soccer Aid management due to his legs 'falling apart'. He told This Morning a few days ago: 'I'm still very sore, still got the torn calf… I'm not going to be able to run around. You now have me as part of the management team. Come on, England!' He explained that he'll be coaching from the sidelines along with Vicky McClure and Tyson Fury, which allows him to still 'put [his] two pence in'. 'I will still get to be part of it all.' Sam's withdrawal comes after he was quizzed on coming face-to-face with 1D star Louis for the first time since their love lives crossed paths. Speaking on his Staying Relevant podcast, which he hosts with Pete Wicks, Sam explained to his best pal that the unexpected topic from a journalist made him 'sweat'. Sam told Pete of the incident: 'At the end of the interview, he goes, 'Look, mate, I've got to ask the question that everyone wants to know; this is sort of the big question, really, the elephant in the room. What's it going to be like with you and Louis? Obviously he's doing Soccer Aid too.' 'Mate, you should have seen the room. It was silent, and then everyone goes, 'Woah, Woah, Woah, end the call! End the call!' and I have just gone, 'No, no, guys, I've got this, I've got this.' I held my hands up to say, 'Just relax'.' Laughing as he recalled the chaotic moment, Sam said his PR was 'panicking' as, despite putting on a bravado, the reality star actually had no idea what was about to come from his mouth. Thankfully, Sam was able to string a coherent response together and emphasise what really matters with Soccer Aid. 'I think I did alright, and I meant everything I said as well, that it's not about me or Louis or who anyone is dating; it's f**king Unicef and charity, and everyone is going to be there for the exact same reason,' he said. 'And if [Louis] has anything about him, which I've heard he does, he's going to sit there and say the exact same thing.' Pete applauded him for handling the potentially uncomfortable situation with grace, sarcastically asking whether he shed tears once the call ended. 'I came off, and I wasn't far off that [crying], and I didn't realise I was sweating so hard I had sweat patches under my arms,' Sam said. 'You know when you're sweating buckets? And I turned around to our PR and was like, 'Was that OK?'' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The I'm A Celeb 2023 winner also echoed the charitable sentiments in an interview with MailOnline, adding that he felt 'absolutely fine' despite the swirling headlines. More Trending 'It's going to be a beautiful, special day, and we are both playing together for such a great cause, and all of us taking part in this are in it for the same reason.' Sam is now thought to be dating ex-Love Island star Samie Elishi, while Louis and Zara were first papped together a couple of months ago. An insider previously told The Sun that the Silver Tongues hitmaker 'absolutely charmed her'. 'It's clear he thinks she's drop-dead gorgeous too.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Barcelona legend and Hollywood superstar join Soccer Aid as late additions MORE: Sam Thompson praised for frank admission after autism diagnosis in late twenties MORE: Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott look loved up on romantic Costa Rica getaway
Metro
20 minutes ago
- Metro
New Spurs boss Thomas Frank in bold bid to sign two of his Brentford favourites
It's all change at Brentford with manager Thomas Frank and key elements of his back room staff moving to Tottenham – now two crucial members of their team could be making the same journey. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have been linked with a double transfer deal in the summer market, which could reopen with an unexpected Spurs splurge of around £120million. They scored 39 Premier League goals between them last season with Cameroon striker Mbeumo hitting 20 and DR Congo forward Wissa 19 and if their incredible partnership remains intact alongside a strikeforce which includes England international Dominic Solanke, and which is supplied by James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Brennan Johnson and Lucas Bergvall, it would make the Europa League winners serious contenders for a top-four finish next season. It would also give Frank added firepower to deal with the demands of his first taste of Champions League football but it may mean losing the services of club legend Son Heung-min, who may consider the time right to ply his trade elsewhere after finally winning silverware with Spurs. Richarlison could return to Everton to help fund the moves while Cristian Romero, seemingly unhappy Ange Postecoglou was sacked, would also bring in a pretty fee if he is allowed to leave. Manchester United have been strongly linked with a move for Mbeumo but their defeat to Tottenham means they cannot offer Champions League football next season. They may be able to offer higher wages but the chance to play in Europe's elite club competition, continue a seamless partnership with Wissa and remain under Frank's tutelage may be too much to turn down for the Bees star. Brentford may not be happy about becoming Tottenham's feeder club but they run a tight ship and a £120million cash injection would be difficult to snub as they seek to rebuild while maintaining their Premier League status. United have captured Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m but have their work cut out to land Sweden striker Viktor Gyokeres – despite former Sporting boss Ruben Amorim being in charge – and although they are 4/6 with Ladbrokes and Coral to win the race for Mbeumo, they are reported to be drawing up alternative arrangements, including Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace and Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth. Spurs are 7/4 with bet365 to sign Mbeumo and 4/1 with Coral and Ladbrokes to capture Wissa while Romero is 4/6 with bet365 to stay in N17 and 2/1 with the same firm to realise his dream of playing in La Liga by joining Atletico Madrid. Chelsea return to action from the shortest of summer breaks when they begin their quest to win the Fifa Club World Cup with a Monday night group match against LAFC. Seeking to build on a strong finish to the Premier League campaign which saw them punch their ticket to the Champions League, Enzo Maresca's men are 17/20 with William Hill to win by more than one goal in the handicap market. New signing Liam Delap is 27/20 to score at any time in his first appearance in a Chelsea shirt. French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz switches from clay to grass when he defends his title at Queen's and is 20/21 to match last year's success. More Trending Big things are expected of British No.1 Jack Draper this summer, however, and as he's in the opposite half of the draw to Alcaraz follow him each-way at 9/2 with bet365 who will pay half the odds just for reaching the decider. Draper should also be backed at 11/8 with SpreadEx and Sporting Index to win his opening match in west London against American Jenson Brooksby by over 5.5 games. Just over two lengths covered all six runners in a dramatic Greyhound Derby final at Towcester on Saturday when Patrick Janssen's Droopys Plunge produced a rattling finish to blaze past Irish Derby champion Bockos Diamond and 2024 winner De Lahdedah in the closing strides and win at 10/1. Watch out, though, for June '23 puppy Sole Mio, who was fifth despite an unfavourable draw. Pat Cronin's young gun is huge each-way value at 33/1 with sponsors BoyleSports for the Irish Derby at Shelbourne Park in Dublin which starts in August. MORE: Edwin van der Sar tells Ruben Amorim to give under-fire Man Utd duo another chance MORE: Ryanair engineers 'check every Boeing' after 'spanners found under floorboards' MORE: Car 'falls from multistorey car park' at Luton Airport
