Chelsea takeover LIVE: Ben Chilwell blasted over tiger video, Ricketts AGREES £1bn future investment – transfer news

Russia make Euro 2028 bid

Spineless world football bosses have been left shame-faced after Russia was disgracefully allowed to bid for Euro 2028.

In a move that left disbelieving FA chiefs stunned into silence, Russia announced a deadline-busting bid to host either the 2028 or 2032 tournament.

That move also prompted Turkey to bid, hoping to take advantage of the Russian muck-raking and a split field to gain a shock victory.

Wembley’s high command now face a £10million bill to ensure their bid wins and they host the tournament across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

A decision is set to be made by Uefa’s ruling executive committee in September 2023.

Johnstone withdraws from England squad

Sam Johnstone has withdrawn from the England squad after being struck with an illness.

The West Brom stopper was brought in to replace the crocked Aaron Ramsdale on Monday.

But Johnstone's joy was short-lived when it was revealed that he also wasn't well enough for England duty.

And now, he's been swapped with Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster who received his first England call-up.

David Alba fears Bale

Gareth Bale’s got enough individual ability to put Wales past Austria in the World Cup play-offs tomorrow.

That’s the opinion of his Real Madrid team-mate and Austrian star David Alba who fears Bale can ruin his country’s chances singlehandedly.

Alba said: “Gareth is a really super-cool person outside the pitch, and great on the pitch as well,” Alaba said.

“We have a very good relationship, we talk a lot and we’ve joked about this game.

“Gareth can decide games himself and he’s not always easy to be stopped, but we want to focus on ourselves and our own game.”

Haaland's transfer enquiries

Erling Haaland has asked Arsenal ace Martin Odegaard about life at Real Madrid amid mounting transfer speculation.

Real are among those keeping tabs on Haaland as they have entered an intense bidding war with Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona.

The attacking midfielder knows a lot about life at the Santiago Bernabeu and confirmed that him and his fellow Norwegian spoke about it but it was "not anything special".

Odegaard said while on international duty with Norway: "We are good friends so we talk about lots of things, like when I was there.

"So yeah we talked about it but it’s not anything special."

Jorginho eyes Chelsea exit

Chelsea star Jorginho's future at Stamford Bridge has been plunged into doubt as his agent admits he'd be up for a "dream" Serie A return.

The midfielder's representative Joao Santos specified his client could go to "AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Roma or Napoli" and admitted he also held talks with Paris Saint-Germain as well as Barcelona.

Santos told Tuttomercatoweb, as per : “Playing in Serie A is a dream for him and his heart remains here.

“As things stand today, he could play for four or five clubs: Milan, Inter, Juve, Roma or Napoli.”

Chelsea ticket ban lifted

Chelsea can sell tickets again after having their special license altered by the UK government.

The Blues had been banned from flogging tickets to fans since Roman Abramovich had his assets frozen earlier this month.

This resulted in just 600 away season ticket holders being able to attend their FA Cup clash at Middlesbrough last weekend.

But that situation has now been rectified - meaning that the Blues will not have to play their Champions League quarter-final home leg against Real Madrid behind closed doors.

They will now also be able to have Chelsea fans in attendance at the FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace at Wembley - as well as for their remaining Premier League games.

Money generated from ticket sales will go directly to the Premier League, who will decide where to pass the revenue on.

Kepa relaxes with girlfriend

Kepa is currently enjoying a romantic Bahamas getaway with Miss Universe girlfriend Andrea Martinez.

The Chelsea stopper hasn't joined up with the Spain national team after he and David de Gea were left out in favour of Brighton's Robert Sanchez and Brentford's David Raya.

It appears Kepa's back-up plan, however, isn't too shabby.

The 27-year-old has jetted off to the Bahamas for a fun mid-season getaway with girlfriend Andrea.

Kepa can be seen beaming from ear to ear in a sun hat while sunbathing in a recent Instagram post.

The goalkeeper is pictured clutching a glass of fizz alongside his bikini-clad other half, who is also wearing a big smile.

Pogba’s open to PSG transfer

Paul Pogba has opened the door to a transfer to PSG after expressing his frustration with Man United’s success over the past five years.

Pogba said to Le Figaro about a possible move to Paris: “Why not? It’s always nice to play with your team-mates in the national team and club.

“This year it is dead, we won’t win anything. Whether it is with Manchester United or at another club, I want to win trophies.”

Man City owners buy eleventh club

Man City's owners City Football Group have agreed a deal to buy their eleventh club.

The football powerhouses have agreed to buy Dutch club NAC Breda edging out building contractor Karel Vrolijk following a shareholders investigation.

An  read: "We presented the results of our investigation to the shareholders. 

"On that basis, they have chosen to sell their shares to City Football Group. 

"All other parties that have applied since the start of the sales process have now been informed and thanked for their efforts.

"With City Football Group, which already has a long-term collaboration with NAC, an agreement was reached this week subject to approval by the Supervisory Board, NOAD Foundation, the KNVB and the municipality of Breda. 

"With this, the sales process is entering the final phase and the shareholders and City Football Group assume that preparations for the new season can be started in the short term."

Candy's backed by AC Milan owners

Potential new Chelsea owner Nick Candy is reportedly receiving backing from AC Milan’s American owners.

The British businessman is one of many hoping to replace Roman Abramovich at the top of the CFC Group.

And he exclusively told SunSport last week that he intends to continue Chelsea’s transfer model which has brought unprecedented success to Stamford Bridge.

Candy, who originally bid £2billion, returned with an improved offer for Chelsea earlier this week after getting a new Korean backer to join his consortium.

And  claims Candy has now added American hedge fund group Elliot Management to his team.

The New York-based investor, a global leader in finance and boardroom activism which has £39bn in assets, owns Serie A table toppers AC Milan.

Bale’s raring to go

Gareth Bale has declared himself fit to play in Wales’ World Cup play-off against Austria.

He said ahead of the game: “It’s normal to have some niggles.

“I’ve been training for the last two and a half months.

“I’m in a lot better shape than I was in the last camp where I’d been out for about three months. I’m ready to play whatever is necessary tomorrow.”

Kane pays tribute to Paul Jiggins

England captain Harry Kane has paid tribute to SunSport’s Spurs correspondent Paul Jiggins, whose passing last week shocked the football world.

The Spurs superstar announced: “Before we start today, I’d just like to pay my respects to Paul Jiggins and his family.

“Obviously Paul followed me at Millwall, with the England Under-21s and at Tottenham.

“A lot of people in this room would have known him and from me and all the team we send our condolences to his friends and family.”

Battle of the Brits

England are trying to snatch Scotland Under-21 sensation Elliot Anderson, who has been compared to Diego Maradona.

That is according to the Daily Mail, who report the Three Lions are ready to swoop for Anderson, who was born in Whitley Bay but has Scottish descent through one of his grandmothers.

The Newcastle playmaker, who is currently on loan at Bristol Rovers, has been involved with Scotland's Under-21 side this season having been capped at youth level.

The 19-year-old has also recently turned out for England's Under-19s in a friendly match.

Now the Three Lions want to offer him a call-up to their Under-20 or Under-21 set-up.

Scotland’s competitive spirit

Scotland manager Steve Clarke is determined that his side beat Poland in the friendly between the teams this week.

Scotland were supposed to be facing Ukraine in the World Cup play-offs but the game was postponed until June amid Russia’s invasion of their Eastern European neighbours.

And despite the match with Poland being a friendly, Clarke wants his players to go on the pitch to win.

He said: “I know the term friendly is used but every single game when you represent your country, you want to win.

“This group of players have shown they want to do that and hopefully it continues in the next two games.”

A big game for Bale

Gareth Bale has revealed that Wales’ crucial World Cup play-off clash against Austria is one of the biggest games of his career.

The Real Madrid ace who’s an injury doubt for the game said: “For sure it will be one of biggest games I’ve played in.

“Qualifying for a World Cup is something I want to achieve for the fans, the country. It’s definitely a massive game, we all want to do well.”

England team's World Cup meeting

Harry Kane has revealed that the England team met yesterday to discuss how to handle important human rights issues at the Qatar World Cup.

When asked if the team have spoken about their approach to the sensitive topics in Qatar, Kane said: "We had that meeting last night. It was important to talk with the manager, staff and players.

"We wanted to qualify for the World Cup before doing that and we’ve done that, so it was our first chance to have that chat.

"Gareth led that meeting. We spoke about what to expect, some of the important issues surrounding the World Cup.

"For us now as players, it’s simple: to talk amongst ourselves at this camp and the camps going forward in June."

United keeper's unfortunate early retirement

Man United goalkeeper Paul Woolston has been forced to retire at just 23 years old due to injury.

Woolston joined United from Newcastle in 2018 and represented the club's Under-23 side.

The North Shields shot-stopper suffered an unknown injury that led him to undergo two operations and a lengthy rehabilitation period but unfortunately he's been unable to return to full fitness.

Woolston, who also trained with the senior squad, received messages of solidarity from team-mates with star goalkeeper David de Gea leading the way.

Bukayo Saka misses England training

Bukayo Saka missed England training on Wednesday through illness with the Arsenal star staying in his St George's Park hotel room.

The 20-year-old tested negative for Covid upon arrival at England's base camp on Tuesday.

FA doctors will be keeping an eye on Saka and he's expected to be tested again in the next 24 hours.

England will be hopeful the winger can recover in time for their friendly against Switzerland on Saturday.

Klopp in line for England job

Jurgen Klopp is more likely to take charge of England rather than Germany when his contract expires in 2024.

According to German outlet , he is more likely to become England manager rather than Germany boss due to the connections he has made over the years with English players.

He has struck up a close bond with the likes of Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold during his time at Liverpool.

Fans across the country have also grown to love him.

Tyrick Mitchell's a wanted man

Man City are monitoring the progress of England newbie Tyrick Mitchell.

The left-back, 22, has had a stellar season at Crystal Palace and was rewarded by a late call-up to Gareth Southgate’s senior side on Monday as a replacement for the injured Reece James.

He has missed just EIGHT minutes of Premier League action since May 1, 2021 and is second only to Brentford’s Christian Norgaard for most top-flight tackles this term.

City are in the market for a new left-back and are keeping track of the youngster’s progress, as are Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham.

Not fair on Conor Gallagher

Ian Wright says it’s unfair Conor Gallagher will not be allowed to play for Crystal Palace in their FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and admitted he’d have been ‘devastated’ if it had ever happened to him during his playing days.

The pundit said on his Wrighty's House podcast: "If you’ve let a player go from the start of the season then yes he’s your player.

“For Conor Gallagher to go to Palace and take them to the levels. He’s one of the main reasons they’re doing what they’re doing.

"He’s helped get them to a semi-final at Wembley which is what we all dream of as professionals and he can’t play because his parent club is there. There’s something not fair about that. I’d be devastated if I was in his position.”

Xavi in contact with Azpilicueta

Barcelona manager Xavi is reportedly in discussions with Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

According to Sport, Xavi has been having regular conversations with the 32-year-old Blues defender.

With Azpilicueta’s contract at Stamford Bridge expiring at the end of the season, he’s free to negotiate a new deal with a foreign club. In addition, there is the complication that Chelsea are currently banned from discussing contract extensions with current players due to government sanctions.

Barcelona have reportedly already lined up a summer move for Azpilicueta by offering him a three-year deal at Camp Nou. Chelsea have a clause in the Spaniard’s current contract to extend it, but it’s unclear on if they can activate that during ongoing restrictions.

Jorginho was touted to Milan

Joao Santos, the agent of Jorginho, has confirmed that talks had previously been held with Milan surrounding his client, as well as other sides throughout Europe.

He said: "In the past I spoke with PSG, Barcelona and also with Massara of Milan. I don’t know if they want it [a deal for Jorginho] now.”

Reaffirming the realities of the current situation at Chelsea, however, Santos confirmed that nothing can be done involving Jorginho, be it renewing his contract, selling him or buying someone else.

Jorginho is contracted to Chelsea until 2023 and cannot move under the current circumstances, but returning to Serie A should he leave the west London side in future feels a realistic prospect.

The Ron for Thomas Tuchel

Chelsea are reportedly keen on acquiring the services of Barcelona’s Ronaldo Araujo in the summer window, according to Xavi Campos at Catalunya Radio.

With the centre-back's contract expiring in 2023 Araujo is also attracting the attention of Liverpool.

The Blues are at risk of losing Antonio Ruidger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta this summer, so Thomas Tuchel is on the look out for centre-backs.

Ricketts family to meet fans

The Ricketts family has agreed to meet Chelsea fans amid a social media backlash to their bid to buy the Premier League club due to comments made by Joe Ricketts in a leaked email exchange several years ago that "Muslims are naturally our enemy."

#NotoRicketts has been trneding on Twitter as Chelsea fans voice their opposition to the family's offer while Paul Canoville, the first Black footballer to play for the club and an anti-racism campaigner, stated on Twitter that he is saying "a big fat anti racism NO to the Rickets bid."

Head of the Chelsea Chicago Supporters Club, Brian Wolff, who is also a Cubs fan, claimed the Ricketts family bid was met with "universal disdain" by supporters and urged Raine Group to reject their offer.

According to ESPN sources, Joe Ricketts is not part of the bid, which is being conducted by the family investment group, led by his three children: Tom, Todd and Laura.

The source added that fan engagement has been a consistent and prominent part of the Ricketts' family's ownership of the Cubs.