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The Irish Sun
01-08-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘We have to take him off them' – Luke Littler urges Man Utd to make Alejandro Garnacho swap transfer
LUKE LITTLER reckons Manchester United should swap Alejandro Garnacho for Ollie Watkins. The teenage darts sensation is a proud Red Devils superfan and has made no secret of his views on the club's summer transfer business. 4 Luke Littler is a self-confessed Manchester United superfan 4 Garnacho is reportedly on his way out of the club this summer Credit: 4 Watkins is on the list of strikers Manchester United are looking at Credit: Getty Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Now Littler, 18, has called for United to pinch England striker Watkins from Aston Villa. Ruben Amorim's side have been linked with a host of strikers There's growing belief they could bring in another frontman to help Rasmus Hojlund carry the load. But Littler is of the view that United should go in for a swap deal involving Watkins and say goodbye to Garnacho. READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS He told gaming website "I think Garnacho is on his way out and if Villa want him then I think we have to take Watkins off them.' Watkins, 29, bagged 17 goals for Villa last season and was also key to England's run to the Euros final. Littler also wants United to bulk up their midfield as well and is eyeing ex-Villa star Douglas Luiz, who joined Juventus last season but is reportedly keen on a Premier League return. Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 4 He added:'I think we need a midfielder and I'd go with Douglas Luiz. He can sit and he can go attacking. "But I'm happy with Ugarte and Mainoo too or maybe Bruno will sit now or Cunha alongside him.' Man Utd & Newcastle in £40M Tug-of-War for Bundesliga Wonderkid! United have already added Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this summer but Littler is clearly of the view that they need more to get back to the top of English football. Manager Amorim is hoping to make major changes to the squad that finished 15th in the league and get them back to winning big things next season.
Scottish Sun
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
‘We have to take him off them' – Luke Littler urges Man Utd to make Alejandro Garnacho swap transfer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE LITTLER reckons Manchester United should swap Alejandro Garnacho for Ollie Watkins. The teenage darts sensation is a proud Red Devils superfan and has made no secret of his views on the club's summer transfer business. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Luke Littler is a self-confessed Manchester United superfan 4 Garnacho is reportedly on his way out of the club this summer Credit: 4 Watkins is on the list of strikers Manchester United are looking at Credit: Getty Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! Now Littler, 18, has called for United to pinch England striker Watkins from Aston Villa. Ruben Amorim's side have been linked with a host of strikers including Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. There's growing belief they could bring in another frontman to help Rasmus Hojlund carry the load. But Littler is of the view that United should go in for a swap deal involving Watkins and say goodbye to Garnacho. He told gaming website during the 13th Target Sports Stars Fishing Championship: 'Do we need another striker?. "I think Garnacho is on his way out and if Villa want him then I think we have to take Watkins off them.' Watkins, 29, bagged 17 goals for Villa last season and was also key to England's run to the Euros final. Littler also wants United to bulk up their midfield as well and is eyeing ex-Villa star Douglas Luiz, who joined Juventus last season but is reportedly keen on a Premier League return. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 4 He added:'I think we need a midfielder and I'd go with Douglas Luiz. He can sit and he can go attacking. "But I'm happy with Ugarte and Mainoo too or maybe Bruno will sit now or Cunha alongside him.' Man Utd & Newcastle in £40M Tug-of-War for Bundesliga Wonderkid! United have already added Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this summer but Littler is clearly of the view that they need more to get back to the top of English football. Manager Amorim is hoping to make major changes to the squad that finished 15th in the league and get them back to winning big things next season.
Irish Examiner
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
No bids for Cathal O'Sullivan as Cork City future unclear
Cork City have yet to receive a bid for Cathal O'Sullivan, increasing the teen's prospect of remaining on for the team's relegation battle. The exciting attacker turned 18 in March and although former City boss Tim Clancy predicted a summer departure to the UK, he could now see out his contact. That free agent scenario would reduce the club's financial gain to around €300,000 of Fifa compensation for training and development. Conversely, Clancy's successor since mid-May, Ger Nash, requires his optimal personnel to avoid the Rebels slipping into the First Division for the second time in three years. A winless run of 11 games leaves them anchored to the basement, four points adrift of Sligo Rovers heading into Friday's visit to champions Shelbourne. Crystal Palace were favourites to land the recent Ireland U21 international, after he'd met the Premier League club's hierarchy on a visit, but no formal offers were lodged since, or before, the summer window opened last Tuesday. 'The situation with Cathal is very simple,' outlined Nash. 'He's gone 18 so any club can put an offer in as they see fit. We've not had any bids so far. 'I don't think it's necessarily a July or August thing. He's a good young player and time will tell.' O'Sullivan has been leaned on during a trying season back in the Premier Division, starting every game when available up until recently. Nash took the decision to manage his game-time by restricting his involvement to substitute appearances in the last two matches, home draws against Drogheda United and St Patrick's Athletic that curbed the losing streak. 'I've had a lot of experience of dealing with talented young players,' said the manager, whose previous managerial roles were with Ipswich Town and Aston Villa development squads. 'During the recent league break, he went away on international duty with Ireland's U21s. Sometimes you give young players a rest to refresh them. We think highly of Cathal and are really pleased with him. He can play in a variety of formations but as a good player he can fit in anywhere.' Club owner Dermot Usher last week indicated to fans' representatives at least six signings across this window. Half of that complement are secured – chiselled defenders Fiacre Kelleher and Rory Feely, along with ex-Villa attacker Charlie Lutz – with a fourth imminent. That appears to be a goalkeeper as a direct replacement for Tein Troost, the Dutch stopper who last week opted against a permanent deal despite City meeting the €75,000 buy-out clause with NAC Breda. Troost's understudy, Conor Brann, is lined up to be in goal at Tolka Park. Whether he still is by 7.45pm on Friday or another is between the sticks, they'll only have eight seconds to release the ball from their hands under a new rule. Should they fail to do so, a corner is awarded to the opposition. Read More Reynolds and Bohs tried everything to avoid turning Mousset loose 'Conor Brann is our goalkeeper at the moment, supported by a couple of academy goalkeepers,' he said of the 22-year-old who has yet to play a league game since joining last Christmas. 'We're definitely in the market for a goalkeeper, potentially for tomorrow. I've known about Conor a while, even at his previous club in Galway United, and we've good belief in him playing tomorrow.' Nash added about the recruitment plans of himself and assistant David Meyler: 'It's really important the players we go after a certain profile and want to be here. We're prepared to be patient and not panic. 'You've seen that with Fiacre and Rory. We'll have done quite well to have four in the door by Friday. It was important we got those in and hopefully we're ahead of ourselves. 'You can sign too many players in the window. The nature of losing some players means there will be changes but you want to keep the dressing-room connected rather than starting again.' Whatever personnel Nash ends up with in the coming weeks must start winning matches. City have done that just twice in 22 games, taking until the last outing to retain a clean sheet. He faces a Shels side led by a familiar face. Joey O'Brien and Nash were both born in 1986 and were peers in representative squads emerging through the ranks. 'We fully understand that wins are the currency we need and so are desperate for three points on Friday,' he emphasised. 'To finish strongly against Drogheda United was important and we were the better side in the second half against St Patrick's Athletic. 'Shelbourne are champions for a reason. They're probably healthier squad-wise than when we played them four weeks ago at Turner's Cross. 'They have Europe on the horizon and lots to play for. It's wrong to say Europe is an extra layer of motivation but players don't too often get the opportunity. Players are aware that's around the corner. 'I'm well aware of the points we need but I believe being consistent in our performances, like we did without the ball in the last couple of games, is key to getting results and points.'
Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jack Grealish may be handed perfect transfer after brutal axe by Man City
Jack Grealish is looking for a way out of Manchester City and Newcastle United could come in with a loan offer as they prepare for a return to the Champions League Newcastle are ready to offer Jack Grealish a way out of Manchester City as they weigh up a loan move for the out-of-favour playmaker. The £100million man has fallen well down the pecking order at the Etihad and is after a way out. A switch to St James' Park could allow him to rediscover his best form with the Magpies open to signing him for the season. Grealish will miss out on the City squad that heads to the Club World Cup, further underlining his decline. The problem for him and the Premier League giants is his mammoth £300,000-a-week salary. Few suitors will take on the entirety of his wages and City may have to foot some of the bill to get him out of Manchester, even if only temporarily. Newcastle are back in the Champions League next season and Eddie Howe has continued to get the most out of the players he's worked with. Joelinton and Jacob Murphy are examples of those who have thrived and Grealish will hope for a similar upturn in form. The interest from the Magpies will only ramp up if they begin receiving offers for Anthony Gordon, reports The Sun. The winger has become a leading light in the north east, but has been the subject of transfer interest. Newcastle signed Gordon for £40m from Everton three seasons ago and he's been a huge hit. Liverpool were heavily linked last summer and the player was interested in the move, but ultimately stayed put. Howe would be loathe to lose his star man. Grealish has previously shown he can be hugely effective and as Newcastle balance multiple competitions, his nous could be very useful. His City's treble-winning season the ex-Villa man was an influential figure as he played out wide - and prior to that was a key man at Villa Park. Pep Guardiola has admitted that Grealish needs regular minutes despite overlooking him on numerous occasions. He said: 'Of course, Jack has to play. He's an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn't happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it, with us or another place. 'It's a question for Jack, his agent and the club. If he stays it will be fine and he will fight like he fought from day one to make a contribution, but not today.' Guardiola also added: 'It's nothing personal with Jack. I'm the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man City open to Grealish offers but have major hurdle before securing buyer
Jack Grealish could leave Manchester City this summer after falling down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola but his wages could prove an issue for any buyer Manchester City are open to offers for Jack Grealish as he falls down the pecking order under Pep Guardiola - but his mega wages may prove an issue for a potential buyer. He wasn't even named in the squad for the win over Fulham on the final day which has cast further doubt over Grealish's future. He remains City's most expensive player ever following his move from Aston Villa back in 2021, but with changes expected this summer he could become even more of a peripheral figure. Guardiola has no issue with the 29-year-old, reports the Daily Star, but after talks between the pair it has become clear that a fresh start somewhere else would suit both parties. City's hierarchy will be keen to recoup a significant chunk of the £100million it cost to sign Grealish in the first place. They will almost certainly have to accept a loss on that figure and a loan move has not been ruled out - with City having to stump up a significant amount of his wages. Grealish is keen to secure a move where he can play regularly, which will aid his bid to make Thomas Tuchel's England squad for next summer's World Cup. He's currently fallen out of the picture with the Three Lions after his form dipped. The ex-Villa man was part of the treble-winning campaign with the 2022/23 season proving to be his most effective campaign. He scored five times that year but was hugely influential in the final third. This summer he's found the back of the net in the league just once. Guardiola is expected to make some significant signings this summer as he reacts to a first trophyless season in Manchester since his debut campaign. New faces would further limit Grealish's minutes even though leading lights like Kevin De Bruyne have moved on. Despite that the Catalan has defended his use of Grealish and maintained there was no issue with the Englishman. He said: "Don't ask me about Jack. Who said I'm not happy with Jack? Rico [Lewis] was not selected, [James] McAtee was exceptional against Aston Villa and Wolves - why not ask me about McAtee? "It's nothing personal with Jack. I am the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season and the next season. I am the one who said 'I want Jack Grealish'."
