DANIEL KRETINSKY is in line for a £650million West Ham takeover after signing a deal for an optional buy out.
The Czech tycoon, 46, could push through a full takeover by 2023 with David Sullivan and David Gold agree to the sale.
Kretinsky is already on the board after buying a 27 per cent stake at the board, has an Olympian showjumping girlfriend and has been branded the ‘Czech Sphinx’.
Antonio Conte’s Tottenham were stunned by Mura in the Europa Conference League.
Harry Kane was on the scoresheet again, but Ryan Sessegnon saw red in the first half and Spurs lost with the final kick of the game.
West Ham won 2-0 away to Rapid Vienna and Leicester beat Legia Warsaw 3-1 at King Power Stadium as police were forced to get involved with the away fans.
There were mixed fortunes for the Old Firm clubs as Celtic crashed out of Europe with a 3-2 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen while Rangers won 2-0 at home to Sparta Prague, ensuring their path to the next round.
Meanwhile, Chelsea could be in for £84million Federico Chiesa, with the Juventus star on the Blues’ radar.
Thomas Tuchel’s side qualified for the Champions League last 16 following their win and are in the hat for the draw on December 13.
In other news, Erling Haaland could be given a new contract at Borussia Dortmund, which would double the Norwegian’s wages.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid are all interested in signing the goalscoring machine, 21.
And Newcastle have reportedly joined the race to sign £70m Fiorentina star Dusan Vlahovic.
Get all the latest football news, updates and transfer gossip below…
-
RAM RAID
Aaron Ramsdale wants to face a red-hot Cristiano Ronaldo when Arsenal travel to Manchester United next week, writes JOSHUA JONES.
The Gunners head to Old Trafford on Thursday in what looks set to be Ralf Rangnick’s first game as interim boss.
Ronaldo, 36, has scored just one Premier League goal in his last SEVEN appearances, dating back to September.
But with his heroics for United in the Champions League, he is now just one strike shy of 800 career goals.
Even so, Ramsdale insists he would prefer a ‘full-on battle’ with the Portuguese superstar than a quiet night between the sticks.
The Arsenal goalkeeper said: “I’d never thought I’d play against Ronaldo, but I really hope he’s on it against us because it gives me a chance to test myself.
“As much as you want to go somewhere like Old Trafford, there’s no better feeling than getting on top of someone and saying I’ve had a full-on battle with Ronaldo.”
-
RON THE WAY
Barcelona are reportedly fearing that Manchester United or Liverpool could snatch highly-rated prospect Ronald Araujo, writes GARY STONEHOUSE.
The 22-year-old star arrived at the Nou Camp from Uruguayan side River Boston in 2018.
The defender has since broken into the first-team squad and the Uruguay national side.
He is out of contract in 2023 but Barcelona want to reward his progress with a new five-year deal.
However, ESPN claims that interest from the Premier League big boys and the centre-back’s wage demands could ‘complicate’ negotiations.
They claim that ‘sources said that during preliminary discussions with the player, there is a concern at Barcelona that they may not be able to meet the terms that he is requesting’ to stay.
Both Manchester United and Liverpool have been monitoring the starlet’s development closely over recent years.
-
GOAT DEBATE
Frank Lampard said back in 2020: “I’m gonna go Messi on this, on pure, natural talent. But what Ronaldo has done has been absolutely incredible.”
However, the ex-England international has now revealed a U-turn in his thinking after watching a recent episode of Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
And he explained why while speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap.
When asked the question again by the Manchester United legend, Lampard responded: “You know what, I’ve always been a Messi man… and then I watched your debate with Jamie Carragher recently.
“I actually think for Ronaldo’s output and actual numbers, and goals in big finals and semi-finals like we’ve seen, I think I maybe give him the edge.
“That’s going to start a load of hate, now!”
-
MIDFIELD MAESTROS
Jorginho could face Portuguese powerhouse Joao Palhinha in their World Cup play-off decider.
Despite Palhinha being the more defensive out of the two, he managed to chip in with two goals during qualifying.
-
RON LAST TIME
Man Utd’s Cristiano Ronaldo faces an almighty fight to play at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Portugal HAVE to beat Turkey to then face either ITALY or North Macedonia in the play-off final.
Ronaldo’s Euro 2016 winners will play at home should they make the final, though.
But facing Italy for a spot at next year’s tournament isn’t ideal.
-
WORLD CUP PLAY-OFF PATHWAYS CONFIRMED
Wow……
Three very, very tough paths to the Qatar World Cup.
Path A:
- Scotland vs Ukraine
- Wales vs Austria
Path B:
- Russia vs Poland
- Sweden vs Czech Republic
Path C:
- Italy vs North Macedonia
- Portugal vs Turkey
Who’ll play at home in the three play-off finals?
- Wales or Austria vs Scotland or Ukraine
- Russia or Poland vs Sweden or Czech Republic
- Portugal or Turkey vs Italy or North Macedonia
-
‘UNACCEPTABLE’
Harry Kane has branded Tottenham’s Euro embarrassment “unacceptable” – and accused his team-mates of being “immature”.
The Spurs striker was left reeling after Thursday’s shock 2-1 defeat at Slovenian minnows NS Mura – the lowest ranked team in the Europa Conference League.
The England captain, who also wore the armband for his club on their worst night in Euro competition, said: “It was unacceptable really.
“We didn’t start well, went behind and then went down to 10 men and made it difficult for ourselves.
“In the second half we showed some fight and spirit and got ourselves back into the game and if anyone looked like scoring it was going to be us.
“But an immature mistake at the end to concede a goal when we had all the play.
“It is unacceptable. A tough match for us, we just have to learn from it.”
-
CECH MATE
Chelsea legend Petr Cech has warned the Blues that they have to be wary of Manchester United’s new management setup on the weekend.
United look set to appoint Ralf Ragnick as new boss and Cech is aware of the danger someone with fresh ideas can pose to the West London outfit.
Cech said to Chelsea’s website: “We have a saying in Czech: ‘the new broom sweeps better’. It’s always tricky when you play teams with a new manager.
“That’s what our next opponents Manchester United will be hoping for on Sunday: when you get a change of manager, you always have a reaction.
“Suddenly, everybody starts from the same spot again. The new manager brings new ideas, about the team, about the tactics, about the strategy, but only when he gets involved in training does he start choosing his team.”
-
CR-IS THE BEST
Luis Figo cannot understand the criticism directed at Cristiano Ronaldo for Manchester United’s poor form this season.
The Portugal legend has slammed any suggestions that Ronaldo, 36, is to blame for Man Utd’s downfall.
Figo spoke to Portuguese news outlet A Bola: ‘It does not make sense. He is the best.
“Football lives on results and the team is not achieving the expected results.
“But he’s being one of the best in the team in terms of performance, so I don’t understand these criticisms.”
-
FIRING BLANCS
Real Madrid fans have launched an astonishing broadside at superstar Gareth Bale and his agent.
The Madrid faithful are up in arms over comments made by his representative Jonathan Barnett.
And they reiterated a long-standing complaint that Bale appears more interested in playing for Wales than he does for the LaLiga leaders.
His case was not helped when he returned home from international duty last week with yet another injury.
A small group of fans then accosted the 32-year-old as he was leaving Real’s training ground – throwing a marker pen at his car amid cries of ‘f*** you’.
That led his agent to brand the supporters ‘disgusting’ and not worth his client’s time.
Those words have sparked fury amid the wider fanbase, with an official supporters’ group releasing a brutal statement against the pair.
In it, they claimed Barnett is a ‘fierce critic’ of the club and ignorant of its history – particularly after he locked horns with ex-boss Zinedine Zidane.
-
STERLING EFFORT
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is impressed with what he’s seen from Raheem Sterling recently.
Sterling’s had a tough time at the Etihad this season, but he got back on the scoresheet in City’s 2-1 win over Barcelona in the Champions League this week.
And Pep’s over the moon with the England winger’s contribution.
He said: “I am so glad for him, it helps us that’s for sure,” he said at his pre-match press conference ahead of City’s game against West Ham.
“He was decisive. He was completely decisive in what we have done in the last three years.
“This is a step to get back to his best form.”
-
BEN BLOW
Chelsea star Ben Chilwell will be out for at least six weeks with a partial ACL injury.
But the England left-back could miss even more action if he requires surgery next year.
Chilwell had just emerged as a key figure for Chelsea, reinventing the attacking wing-back role alongside teammate Reece James with three goals and an assist in just six league outings.
But the ex-Leicester ace’s delight turned to misery in Tuesday’s 3-0 win over Juventus.
Chilwell went down in agony clutching his knee after a collision with an opponent.
And he needed support from two medics to limp off the Stamford Bridge turf.
Chelsea were left sweating on scans amid fears Chilwell had fully ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out for nine months.
However, Thomas Tuchel revealed on Friday the defender is hopefully set to miss just six weeks of action.
-
RAINBOW PRIDE
Leicester City will be celebrating Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign at Sunday’s Premier League fixture against Watford at King Power Stadium.
The initiative – which is backed by each top-flight club – demonstrates ongoing commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion and making it clear that football is for everyone.
All Premier League fixtures between 27 November and 2 December will be dedicated to Rainbow Laces, with clubs showing support through matchday activities, with branding visible at every stadium, while rainbow-themed captain’s armbands, laces and pin badges are also available.
In addition to this, City’s players will warm-up in rainbow t-shirts, with rainbow clappers to be left on each seat ahead of the game on Filbert Way for fans to show further support for the campaign.
-
PRIVATE PAGE
Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard has revealed he is trying to ‘cut as many corners’ as possible in order to swiftly implement his philosophy at the club.
One of those corners is setting up a ‘secret’ Instagram account just for Aston Villa players that allows them to watch training videos and match analysis, as well as read motivational quotes.
The page is called ‘Bodymoor1,’ according to the Telegraph, and is followed by the majority of Villa’s first team-set up.
It currently has 35 followers that include the likes of Gerrard himself and forward Ollie Watkins, and is named after Aston Villa’s training ground.
Speaking on the secret page in his pre-Crystal Palace press conference, Liverpool legend Gerrard said: “Instagram is another way, alongside your likes of the WhatsApps to put in information and reminders to players.
“We’ve come in at a time where we haven’t had the luxury of a pre-season where you have five-six weeks to build your identity and the way you want it to look.
“So we’re trying to cut as many corners as we can to get the identity and the standards across to the players that we expect as a group of staff.”
-
JOEY IN THE DOCK
Joey Barton is set to go on trial accused of assaulting another football manager after a heated League One game.
The Bristol Rovers manager, 39, denies attacking then-Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel back in April 2019.
Prosecutors claim Barton – who was then managing Fleetwood – hit out in the tunnel after a Barnsley win.
Stendel was left with facial injuries after the alleged bust-up.
Ex-Premier League star Barton, of Widnes in Cheshire, was said to be furious after seeing one of his players sent off in a 4-2 defeat.
A steward and a cop stopped his BMW from leaving the ground.
He was later arrested after Barnsley complained to South Yorkshire Police about the alleged incident.
A trial will begin at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday after jurors were selected today.
-
RED RETURN
Ex-Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum could be set to return to the Premier League just six months after signing for PSG, according to reports.
The Dutch ace has only started three Ligue 1 matches for PSG.
And according to TeamTalk, Wijnaldum could be tempted into a move back to the Prem.
His representatives have allegedly already started to search for potential suitors with Newcastle said to be interested in the ex-Kop favourite.
But the Toon may face and uphill battle as PSG are said to be reluctant to sell Wijnaldum.
-
‘NOT GOOD NEWS’
Jurgen Klopp has praised Manchester United’s appointment of Ralf Rangnick by hailing him as an “organised and experienced coach”.
Klopp, whose managerial style was inspired by Rangnick, insists it is “not good news” for other Premier League clubs that the German has arrived in England.
When asked about Rangnick’s arrival, he said: “Unfortunately a good coach is coming to England, to Manchester United!
“He’s a really experienced manager, built two clubs from nowhere.
“Man United will be organised on the pitch. That’s obviously not good news for other teams.”
-
WRECK-IT RALF
Manchester United target Ralf Rangnick is a ‘merchant’ who only cares about money according to the former Lokomotiv Moscow president.
Rangnick, 63, is set to be appointed Man Utd’s new interim manager following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earlier this week, according to reports.
But former Lokomotiv Moscow president Nikolai Naumov has accused Rangnick of not ‘caring about football’ and argues that he is only interested in money.
In a sensational rant to Match TV, Naumov claimed: “It’s not about Manchester. For Rangnick, this is no escape, betrayal, or disgrace. Rangnick is a merchant.
“He absolutely does not care about football, because he only does business around him.
“And the more countries, leagues and football clubs he covers, the more he will earn.
“He’s absolutely indifferent to Lokomotiv. He did not come here to raise football, but to earn money.
“Now he was offered money elsewhere, and he and his company will go to United.”
-
ED IN HIS HANDS
Arsenal technical director Edu has recalled the time he was sent to jail after arriving into England with a fake Portuguese passport.
The 43-year-old had agreed a deal to join the Gunners from Corinthians in the summer of 2000, but was made to wait until the following New Year before linking up.
Edu had believed the passport secured by his agent was legitimate, though he was stopped by border control after touching down in Blighty.
However, unbeknownst to Edu, his agent at the time had supplied him with a counterfeit passport in a hurried effort to get his transfer to Arsenal over the line.
He was then held by Brazilian authorities for 10 hours while the situation was being investigated which is when the tears came flooding down.
Edu explained to The Athletic: “When I got there, I realised how serious the situation was. That’s when I started to cry — ‘Man, I’m in prison’.”
-
CASH CRISIS
Angry Bayern Munich fans blasted club bosses over a Qatari sponsorship deal as tensions boiled over at their annual general meeting.
A group of supporters hit out over the five-year deal with Qatar Airways – worth around £16.9million a season.
They fumed over accusations of human rights abuses at the Gulf state, which hosts the World Cup next year.
The deal is due to expire in 2023 but fans have been putting pressure on current president Herbert Hainer and CEO Oliver Kahn not to renew.
And Thursday’s AGM descended into chaos amid chants for Hainer’s removal after the club blocked fans from voting on the deal.
A group of around 800 supporters shouted ‘Hainer out!’ and ‘we are the fans you don’t want’ in front of the stunned Bayern officials.
-
BREAKING
Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has signed a deal to complete a full takeover of West Ham.
Kretinsky forked out £150million to buy a 27 per cent stake in the Hammers earlier this month and joined co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold on the board.
At the time it was thought there was a belief the businessman would take his time getting used to life in the Premier League before upping his interest.
But documents lodged at Companies House show a deal has already been signed by Kretinsky and Sullivan to buy a controlling stake at an already agreed rate – valuing the London club around £650m.
The ‘Put and Call’ agreement is mentioned several times in new articles of association lodged by the club’s parent company WH Holding Ltd on November 23.
It shows the terms of a takeover are already sealed, with 46-year-old Kretinsky having an unspecified time to complete the deal before it expires.
-
‘WELCOME ZIZOU’
The pieces appear to be falling into place in Manchester United’s pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino.
A well-connected member of the Qatari royal family has announced Zinedine Zidane WILL take over at the Parc des Princes.
That would free up Pochettino to head to Old Trafford on a long-term appointment following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani has links to the Qatari sovereign wealth fund that bankrolls PSG.
He is also reported to be the brother of the French giants’ principal owner and has previously spoken out over Kylian Mbappe’s future at the club.
And the royal figure took to Twitter to confirm ex-Real Madrid boss Zidane has accepted an offer from the Ligue 1 leaders.
He tweeted: “Things are settled. It will be announced soon. Welcome Zezo.”
-
HOWE DO YOU DO?
Newcastle have confirmed that Eddie Howe WILL return to the dugout for tomorrow’s clash with Arsenal.
The new Toon boss, 43, was forced to watch his first game in charge last week from his hotel room after testing positive for Covid-19.
Jason Tindall was on the touchline as Newcastle drew a thriller with Brentford 3-3 at St James’ Park.
But after returning a negative Covid-19 test this morning, Howe will be back in the technical area at the Emirates as the Magpies continue their hunt for a first win of the season.
-
ERL OF MANCHESTER
Ralf Ragnick’s Manchester United appointment may just give the Red Devils the edge over the rest of Europe when it comes to signing Erling Haaland.
Borussia Dortmund sensation Haaland has been linked with a host of clubs, but United will now feel confident they can win the race.
That’s because Rangnick is the man responsible for signing Haaland while he was director of football at RB Salzburg.
And his relationship with the 22-year-old could be a deciding factor in luring the striker to Old Trafford.
Spanish outlet AS are claiming Manchester United’s appointment of Rangnick is ‘decisive’ in the battle to sign Haaland.
Rangnick signed Haaland from Norwegian club Molde in 2019 for just £7million.
-
CRIS CROSS
A fuming Cristiano Ronaldo blasts former Juventus team-mates in extraordinary behind-the-scenes footage.
The Portuguese great lost his cool at half-time during Juve’s Champions League last-16 encounter with Porto last season.
Juventus were clear favourites to progress to the quarter-finals but found themselves 1-0 down at half-time in the second-leg.
That made it a 3-1 aggregate advantage to Porto and then-Juve striker Ronaldo wasn’t having any of it.
The new documentary ‘All or Nothing: Juventus’ captured a fascinating clash between CR7 and Juan Cuadrado at Allianz Stadium.
Ronaldo screamed: “We have to work harder. What the f***! We didn’t play at all! Nothing!”
Cuadrado then replied: “Don’t worry”
Ronaldo: “We played s***, always!”