Mohammed Kudus: Chelsea leading Arsenal in race for £40m Ajax star
Chelsea are leading the race for Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus, having so far put together a more convincing package than Arsenal. The 22-year-old midfielder has attracted a lot of interest from the Premier League as the Dutch club face up to the sale of a series of key players Having almost joined Everton last season, Kudus’ value has only increased after an impressive World Cup with Ghana, and there is a feeling that Chelsea are able to price Arsenal out of any prospective deal. One of the issues for Mikel Arteta’s side is that, although they want another midfielder - preferably Kudus - and a right-back, they need to sell to buy due to earlier expenditure. While the club could yet raise up to £70m on sales of players such as Kieran Tierney and Falorin Balogun, that is expected to take time. This has allowed Chelsea to move ahead, especially as they have already hugely trimmed down their squad with a series of exits this window. It is even possible the Stamford Bridge side bring in two midfielders, as negotiations continue over Brighton’s Moises Caicedo. As it stands, Chelsea have been in a position to offer more clarity on a price to Ajax and potential wages for Kudus. The Ghana international could go for around £40m. Read More A wasted year – but Kylian Mbappe’s Saudi transfer could bring him everything he wants Manchester United make ‘progress’ in transfer search for new striker Tottenham consider Brazil striker with Harry Kane’s future in the balance
2023-07-26 18:59
Who is Quinn? The first trans and non-binary player to feature at a World Cup
Canada midfielder Quinn made history when they became the first transgender and non-binary person to appear at either a men’s or women’s World Cup, playing 90 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Nigeria in Melbourne last week. The Ontario native, 27, is already a gold medallist for their country, part of the side that triumphed at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics in summer 2021 and has designs on going all the way in Australia and New Zealand too. Hailing from a sporting family – Quinn’s father and mother played college rugby and basketball respectively – the midfielder quickly took to football as a child, rejecting all other after-school pursuits in favour of the beautiful game. They played at youth level for North Toronto, Richmond Hill and Erin Mills Eagles and briefly for Toronto Lady Lynx in 2013 before heading due south and enrolling as a biology major at prestigious Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. There, Quinn played for the Duke Blue Devils, making 69 appearances and scoring four between 2013 and 2017. Turning professional after graduation, they signed first for Washington Spirit in 2018 before a short-lived stint with Paris FC in France followed. Quinn subsequently transferred to OL Reign in Seattle in 2019, where they have played alongside US Women’s National Team greats Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe ever since – outside of a brief loan spell with Swedish side Vittsjo GIK in 2020. For the Canadian national team, Quinn made their debut for the under-17s in 2012 and subsequently played for the under-20 and under-23 sides before graduating to the senior squad in 2014, subsequently picking up 89 caps and scoring five, as well as a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Quinn became known by the mononym in 2020 after coming out as transgender and non-binary, opting for gender-neutral pronouns. They were granted permission to continue playing professional women’s football based on a sex-assigned-at-birth basis. “I want to be a visible figure for young trans folks or people questioning their gender, people exploring their gender,” Quinn has said of their decision to come out. “Because unfortunately when I was growing up, and even going through that process of figuring out myself in college, I didn’t have those people in the public sphere to look up to. “There are several trans athletes and several trans people in media and politics, but I just think those faces are not common enough. “I want to be a visible trans person succeeding in my job, so that younger trans folks could see that they did have an avenue to go and that they would have a future and a career ahead of them.” Read More Women’s World Cup 2023 LIVE: Spain and Japan through before Ireland vs Canada Women’s World Cup TV schedule: How to watch every match today Tuesday at the World Cup: Philippines stun New Zealand as Norway are held New Jersey Governor keen to host Premier League and Champions League matches Vera Pauw ‘a bit concerned’ about Louise Quinn fitness for Republic-Canada game Denise O’Sullivan hails ‘unbelievable’ Ireland fans at World Cup
2023-07-26 18:45
Wrexham fume at Man Utd goalkeeper after striker Paul Mullin hospitalised with punctured lung
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson was left enraged after a collision between Manchester United goalkeeper and Paul Mullin left the League Two side’s star striker with a punctured lung. Mullin collided with Nathan Bishop after just 12 minutes with the 28-year-old needing extensive medical treatment on the pitch before groggily walking off the field with an oxygen mask around his neck. The forward, who scored 38 goals last season as Wrexham achieved promotion out of the National League, was sent to hospital and will now likely miss Wrexham’s season opener against MK Dons in ten days. “I’m fuming about it, I’ve got to be honest with you,” Parkinson said after the game. “It was a clumsy, reckless challenge in a pre-season game and I’m not happy with it at all. “It should have been a straight red. If it’s not denying a goal-scoring opportunity it’s still a dangerous challenge, so if you add the two scenarios together he should have been off the pitch. It’s a dangerous challenge and obviously, Paul Mullin is our talisman. “I haven’t seen the goalie and he’s probably best steering clear of us for the time being because we’re not very happy.” The incident marred what was otherwise a hugely successful night for Wrexham as the team picked up their second successive victory as part of their US pre-season tour. Ryan Reynolds was unable to make the San Diego friendly but fellow owner Rob McElhenney was in attendance as the League Two new boys triumphed at sold-out Snapdragon Stadium. Elliot Lee, Aaron Hayden and Sam Dalby scored for Wrexham against a United side mostly comprised of Under-21 players, with Marc Jurado scoring for Travis Binnion’s side on a night when Dan Gore was sent off. United boss Erik ten Hag watched from the bench as Lee and Hayden gave Parkinson’s men a half-time lead before Gore was red-carded for a tackle on Andy Cannon early in a second half that saw Dalby head home from close range in front of a 34,248 crowd. Wrexham conclude their US tour on Saturday against Philadelphia II before travelling home to prepare for their first game of the season. The Welsh side take on newly-relegated MK Dons at the Racecourse Ground on August 5th. Additional reporting by PA Read More Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney meets Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag Why Wrexham? How Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney came to buy a club they’d never heard of Wrexham striker Paul Mullin injured in win over young Manchester United team Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham is on its way to the United States Women’s World Cup LIVE: Today’s results and latest news
2023-07-26 18:29
Who is Joe Lewis? The secretive billionaire Tottenham owner charged with insider trading
Joe Lewis, the billionaire owner of Tottenham Hotspur, has been indicted in the US on charges of insider trading. Lewis has been accused of “abusing his access to corporate boardrooms” to provide information to lovers, friends and even his private pilots. Lewis has denied the charges. In a statement, his lawyers said they would “vigorously fight” to clear his name. Who is Joe Lewis and how did he make his money? Lewis made his fortune primarily in foreign exchange and investment. He is ranked 39th among the UK’s wealthiest people, according to the Sunday Times Rich List, with a net worth of £5bn. Born in the East End of London in 1937, Lewis left school at 15 to work for his father’s catering company. He took over and rapidly expanded the business into a series of themed restaurants aimed at tourists, before selling in 1979, giving him more money to invest in his new venture, currency trading. Lewis gave Robert Earl, who later founded Hard Rock and Planet Hollywood, his first job. He was ferociously successful at working the currency markets during the 1980s and 1990s, notably betting that Britain would be forced to exit the European Monetary System, which it did in September 1992 amid the ‘Black Wednesday’ financial crisis. He earned the nickname The Boxer, a reference both to his power in the investment ring and his legendary almost namesake, Joe Louis. But he endured bruising defeats too, and lost $1bn – then a third of his fortune – in a single day when the American bank Bear Stearns collapsed at the start of the 2008 financial crisis. His $1.2bn stake was reduced to $22m in a matter of hours. Lewis owns the Tavistock Group, first set up in 1975 and now one of the most renowned and powerful private equity organisations in the world. He founded the business in the Bahamas to escape UK tax laws. Along with his Bahamian mansion, Lewis owns a ranch in Argentina (which has caused conflict with local residents), multiple homes in Florida and more property across the world. The 86-year-old is married to his long-term secretary Jane, and has two children by his first wife, Esther Browne. His son Charles lives in Argentina and is largely disconnected from the family business, but his daughter Vivienne is heavily involved. She serves on Tavistock’s board of directors and is president of the prestigious Isleworth Golf and Country Club in Florida, which Lewis owns. He has a waterfront mansion on the 600-acre Isleworth property, which is surrounded by heavy security. Lewis almost never makes public statements or conducts media interviews. Lewis loves golf, and counts Tiger Woods not only as a close friend and neighbour but also a business partner. Together they embarked on a 600-acre luxury resort called Albany on New Providence Island in the Bahamas, alongside fellow golfer Ernie Els and the singer Justin Timberlake. Albany features a mega-yacht marina, lavish villas and a championship golf course which hosts Tiger Woods’ invitational tournament, the Hero World Challenge. What has Lewis spent his fortune on? Lewis has a diverse portfolio of investments all over the world, including luxury resorts in the Americas, property in Bulgaria and even an Australian agriculture company. The development arm of Tavistock is building a 17 square-mile community at Lake Nona near Orlando, Florida, where Disney is to move its headquarters. He owns a superyacht called Aviva, which is 98m long and took three years to build. It’s most striking feature is an indoor paddle tennis court, Lewis’s daily activity, at the heart of the boat. His wardrobe is particularly decadent, described by designer Andrew Langton as “bigger than my house in France”. Lewis owns one of the most expensive private art collections in the world, including original works by Picasso and Matisse, many of which are aboard Aviva. Through Tavistock, via the ENIC Group, Lewis also owns Tottenham Hotspur. He bought 29.9% of Tottenham in 1991, and increased his stake to a majority holding in February 2001, buying out most of Lord Sugar’s shares. Despite appearing to have little interest in football, rarely showing up at Tottenham’s training ground or matches, Lewis has invested in a number of clubs including Rangers – supposedly encouraged by his former neighbour in the Bahamas, Sean Connery – and Slavia Prague. After 21 years in charge of Tottenham, Lewis is the Premier League’s longest-serving owner. The club have since moved into a world-leading stadium and reached the Champions League final in 2019, but they have won only one trophy during Lewis’s ownership and his man in charge – Spurs chairman Daniel Levy – is under increasing pressure to deliver results on the pitch. The charges brought against Lewis could disqualify him from owning Spurs under Premier League rules, should he be found guilty. What has he been charged with? Lewis has been indicted in New York for “orchestrating a brazen insider trading scheme”. Damian Williams, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a video released by his office: “We allege that for years Joe Lewis abused his access to corporate boardrooms and repeatedly provided inside information to his romantic partners, his personal assistants, his private pilots and his friends. “Those folks then traded on that inside information and made millions of dollars in the stock market, because thanks to Lewis those bets were a sure thing.” Williams described Lewis’s behaviour as “classic corporate corruption”. He said: “Now, none of this was necessary. Joe Lewis is a wealthy man. But as we allege, he used inside information as a way to compensate his employees or to shower gifts on his friends and lovers... It’s cheating, and it’s against the law. Laws that apply to everyone, no matter who you are. That’s why Joe Lewis has been indicted and will face justice here in the Southern District of New York.” A Tottenham club spokesperson said: “This is a legal matter unconnected with the club and as such we have no comment.” Read More Billionaire and Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis indicted in US for ‘brazen insider trading’
2023-07-26 18:26
Declan Rice excited by chance to help Arsenal ‘get back to the big time’
Declan Rice is aiming for Premier League and Champions League glory at Arsenal, insisting he will take his £105million price tag in his stride. The England midfielder joined from London rivals West Ham earlier this month after the two clubs negotiated how the record payment for a British player in the Premier League would be broken down. Now Rice is in the United States, having joined his new team-mates to prepare for the upcoming campaign, with the Gunners aiming to go one better than their second-placed finish last season. Mikel Arteta’s side will also return to the top table of European football for the first time since 2017 and Rice is hungry for success, having lifted the Europa Conference League trophy in his final game as West Ham skipper. “I think it’s time now. You know Arsenal under Mikel have won Community Shields, FA Cups, but I think now, this is a massive club, it’s constant pressure of delivering titles and it’s been such a long time now since Arsenal won the Premier League,” Rice told Sky Sports News. “Last year was so close, I feel like we’re better off now this year, learning from that experience. I think that’s definitely a target and of course you’re in the Champions League, you go into the Champions League to win, you don’t go into (it) just to take part. “There’s always a narrative around Arsenal that they’re not going to win the Premier League or they haven’t been good enough. There's always a narrative around Arsenal that they're not going to win the Premier League or they haven't been good enough Declan Rice “But I didn’t see it in that way at all. I see it in a way that he (Arteta) has improved the squad every year. The players have improved individually. Everyone’s gone up another level and when I spoke to Mikel about the way he wanted me to play, where he sees me playing and the vision he has for Arsenal. “For me it is really exciting now to be a part of this project that Arsenal can get back to the big time and win some trophies.” Rice’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium has eclipsed Arsenal’s previous transfer record – the signing of Nicolas Pepe from Lille for £72m – and will see West Ham receive a guaranteed £100m, with a potential £5m in add-ons. The 24-year-old believes it is unfair he will carry increased expectations because of his price tag but insists he will not be weighed down by it. “I just try to take everything in my stride. I can’t control what I’ve been bought for, that’s obviously been determined on how well I’ve played consistently over the last couple years,” he added. “West Ham have obviously set that price, I tried to take it all of my stride, I’ve not really thought about the price tag once. I’ve been brought to Arsenal for a reason and that is to perform, to play football. To try and add to the squad, to try and win trophies. “I’m not going to get involved in price tags. Of course people have always got opinions, you can’t please everybody. Someone’s always got something to say, but what’s important is that the manager, you know you’ve got his support, you’ve got family support, people that are close to you, that’s all that matters. “I won’t try to think about that too much and to be honest with you, I haven’t. It’s football. A lot of players have been bought for £80, £90, £100million. It’s our profession. It’s just down to us to perform. So over the six years (of his contract), hopefully I can repay that price tag.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Mark Cavendish reveals depths of depression in new documentary Seamer James Anderson still hungry to play Test cricket for England Academy study shows Chelsea and Arsenal produce most Premier League players
2023-07-26 18:19
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney meets Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney met with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag ahead of their pre-season friendly in in San Diego, California, on Tuesday. The pair were seen having a conversation and laughing before McElhenney shook Ten Hag’s hand and wished him good luck for the match. It was his Wrexham side that were victorious, beating their Premier League opposition 3-1 thanks to goals from Elliot Lee, Aaron Hayden and Sam Dalby. The Welsh side will play in League Two next season, after a 15-year EFL absence.
2023-07-26 17:27
The Keith Lee and Sean Strickland controversy explained
There’s a new feud that UFC fans will be well aware of over recent weeks and it’s between MMA fighter Sean Strickland and UFC star turned TIkToker Keith Lee. Lee has had one of the most surprising career progressions over recent times, going from a fighter under the name Keith ‘Killa’ Lee to a viral food critic appraising food on TikTok. He's been in the limelight again recently after Strickland shared a story about an altercation he had with Lee in the gym. When the pair met, Stickland claimed that Lee tried to debate him on race relations. He also stated that Lee had called him a racist. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Recounting the incident, Strickland told MMA Mania: “He comes up to me and tried to talk to me about race, he tried to have this racial systematic oppression s***…I don’t disagree, but I’m not trying to have this debate in the gym, I’m trying to spar.” He went on to say: “So he comes up to me and starts accusing me of being f***ing racist and I’m like what are we f***ing doing here dude like if I was racist, I’m the most honest motherf***er there.” The MMA fighter then said that Lee said he ‘doesn’t like white people’ after he began outlandish comments. “Anytime you’re talking to somebody racist, and I know this because I used to be a little racist, anytime you’re talking to somebody racist and you want to p*** them off, you’ve just got to talk about… the sex, the race of whatever they are.” He added: “So I’m like yo Lee, I’m not racist, I f*** more Black women than you have bro how am I a racist and I said that just to p*** him off. I said that just to make him mad and I’m like ‘bro just relax, I know you got a little white woman at home, chill the f*** out’ and I’m just kind of poking him but I’m doing it funny and he goes ‘nah f*** that, I don’t like white people!’ Lee responded by posting a TikTok video of himself denying the accusations. “I received a week straight of false allegations, negative comments, and negative backlash for something that I didn’t do,” he said in the clip. “Yes, me and Sean had a conversation. No, the conversation didn’t go how he depicted it. Sean Strickland is an MMA fighter known for saying divisive things. I walked up to him and two people who I consider friends already having a conversation after practice. I joined the conversation and the conversation happened to already be on race. “Never at any point did I say I didn’t like anybody, I simply disagreed with what he said and instead of fighting ignorance with ignorance, I said no, I’m happily married with children and I’m very proud of the family that God has allowed me to build and I immediately disagreed with all the ignorant and distasteful comments that he made and I was no longer interested in entertaining the conversation. “I don’t have any bad feelings or wish anything ill against Sean Strickland, I just want this cleared up.” Strickland has made a string of controversial comments in the past, recently making misogynistic remarks at a press conference where he said “we need to take women out of the workforce” and “put them back in the kitchen”. “We let women vote, no offence. Think about America prior to women voting,” he said during a bizarre press conference last month. “They tried to ban alcohol, I don't even drink but I'm not trying to ban alcohol. So, what you did, man, you let these women come into the workforce, now we make less money, you got kids raising themselves on TikTok, we need to go back to like 1942, maybe 1958 after we f****d up the Germans.” Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-07-26 17:23
UK government heavily criticized for underestimating Wagner group
The United Kingdom's government has been heavily criticized for underestimating Russia's Wagner private military company (PMC) for nearly a decade, despite it posing a major threat to the country's interests, in a report by the UK Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee published Wednesday.
2023-07-26 17:15
Indonesia to make it less painful for exporters to keep earnings onshore -official
JAKARTA Indonesia is developing a scheme for banks to provide a financing facility for exporters who keep their
2023-07-26 16:27
Taiwan's main airport becomes battleground for simulated Chinese invasion
Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport became the scene of a simulated Chinese invasion on Wednesday for the first time ever as the island's military conducted an anti-takeover drill to fend off any possible attack from Beijing.
2023-07-26 16:20
Two goals in 2 minutes help Japan beat Costa Rica 2-0 at Women's World Cup
Hikaru Naomoto and Aoba Fujino scored two minutes apart in the first half to give Japan a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica on Wednesday at the Women’s World Cup
2023-07-26 15:28
Rose Lavelle returns to Women's World Cup a smarter player than her 2019 breakout debut
Rose Lavelle says she hopes she’s a smarter player in the years since she was a breakout star for the U.S. in the 2019 Women’s World Cup final against the Netherlands
2023-07-26 14:55