
Manchester City ready to walk away as Wolves dig in over Matheus Nunes transfer fee
Manchester City will walk away from a deal for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes if they do not believe it offers value for money. The Premier League champions have turned to the Portugal international after ending their interest in West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who faces an uncertain future as the FA investigate potential breaches of betting regulations. City have reportedly had a £47m offer for Nunes rejected with Wolves apparently believing the 24-year-old is worth considerably more than that. But City have a history of abandoning their attempts to sign players – from Harry Maguire to Declan Rice – when they felt the price exceeded their valuation and are willing to do so again if they cannot agree a suitable amount with Wolves. However, Pep Guardiola described Nunes as “one of the best players in the world” after City faced Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League in 2022. Wolves paid £38m for Nunes last summer but he has had an underwhelming spell at Molineux, scoring one goal in 40 games and being needlessly sent off in Saturday’s 4-1 defeat to Brighton. However, the summer departures of the long-serving pair of Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho meant he was shaping up as key player for Wolves this season. City’s search for midfield reinforcements was given added urgency when Kevin De Bruyne was ruled out for four months with a serious hamstring injury. They have signed Mateo Kovacic and defender Josko Gvardiol this summer while Rennes winger Jeremy Doku should become their third addition. Read More Laporte confirms Man City exit as treble-winner heads for Saudi Arabia Football rumours: Manchester City turn attention to Palace’s Eberechi Eze Bernardo Silva signs new Manchester City contract
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Spurs face transfer talks deadlock over £40m Brennan Johnson move
Tottenham Hotspur are still some way off agreeing a fee for Brennan Johnson, as Nottingham Forest are completely unmoving from £40m basic price for the forward. The stand-off could yet see Chelsea in late on, as they retain an interest in the 22-year-old. With a lot of the major clubs still looking at attacking signings in terms of wide players and No.9s, Johnson is seen as a player whose versatility and pace up front are of huge value and Ange Postecoglou is hugely keen. Personal terms will not be a problem and Johnson is willing to go to Spurs, but negotiations between the London club and Forest are understood to have been hugely frustrating. Chelsea are nowhere near so advanced, and haven't got to that stage, as they survey potential attackers. The club are prioritising an out-and-out centre-forward but there are not too many obvious choices available, and there is a belief in the market they will move for Johnson late on in the window if his future is not yet agreed. It is therefore a deal that could go to the very last hours of the window. Across the summer regarding the striker options at each club, Spurs sold Harry Kane to Bayern Munich while Chelsea are still looking to offload Romelu Lukaku. Forest signed Chris Wood on a permanent deal from Newcastle, having had him on loan last season. Read More Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink calls for patience at Chelsea under Mauricio Pochettino Football rumours: Arsenal put £50million fee on Folarin Balogun as rival circles Football rumours: Manchester City’s bid for Lucas Paqueta set to crumble
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New DraftKings CFB Promo: Bet $5, Win $200 GUARANTEED on ANY Week Zero Parlay!
DraftKings is giving new users a guaranteed $200 bonus on any $5 Week Zero parlay bet! Find out how to claim this exclusive offer here.
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Football rumours: Manchester City turn attention to Palace’s Eberechi Eze
What the papers say Manchester City have seemingly pulled the plug on a move for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta and are instead moving their focus towards 25-year-old Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, the Times reports. City have reportedly been monitoring Eze for the last six months. The Daily Mail says City are also interested in Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes. But the Daily Express reports the Molineux club are unlikely to sell him so close to the end of the transfer window unless City up their bid. Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe is reportedly looking likely to move to the Saudi Pro League after rejecting a move to Besiktas, Metro reports. Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku could land at Juventus, who would pay Chelsea £35million for his services, but only if the Italian side can sell Serbia striker Dusan Vlahovic, according to the Evening Standard. West Ham are not giving up on their pursuit of Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus after they had two bids turned down from the club, the Telegraph says. Social media round-up Players to watch Cameron Archer: Sheffield United are close to locking in an £18.5million deal for the 21-year-old Aston Villa striker, according to the Guardian. Youssef En-Nesyri: Sky Sports says West Ham have begun talks with Sevilla to try and strike a deal for the 26-year-old striker. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
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National Burger Day 2023: The best burgers in London and where to eat them
It seems as though every type of food gets its own day of celebration but National Burger Day (24 August this year) has been a key date in our diary since 2013. While we’re certainly fans all year round, if you want to mark the occasion with your favourite stack – or try something completely new – we’ve rounded up some of our favourite spots in London where you can do just that. From beef and chicken options to plant-based patties and even a fishy newcomer, there’s something for everyone. For example, indulge in a dirty burger from Five Guys, an OG classic from Bleecker or one of the new additions that have joined the ranks specifically for the big day. Whatever you’re feeling, this list should have you covered. Burgers and Beats A newcomer to the scene, Burgers and Beats has only been around since 2021. However, in that short space of time it’s fast cemented itself as one of London’s best burger offerings. You may have seen that iconic tomahawk burger making the rounds on Instagram – and we can confirm it’s not just a novelty. Every bit of it (complete with a fried egg, pico de gallo salsa, chimichurri and more) is absolutely delicious. However, the standard menu is also worth considering with the smashed double cheese and “east meets west” (with sweet chilli syrup and chimichurri mayo) being two of our all-time favourites in London. Also, do leave some room for the chicken tenders and loaded fries as they’re both excellent and worth stretching your stomach a little more for. burgersandbeats.co.uk Burger and Beyond Ah, we remember Burger and Beyond back in the days of the Camden Market stall… then its residency at the Camden Assembly. Well, it’s quite a different kettle of fish now, with four permanent sites up and running. Dining at the OG bricks and mortar spot in London’s Shoreditch, one bite of the “bougie” burger takes us straight back to those early days, but also proves just how far this place has come. Other standouts include the mushroom raclette burger (demonstrating that burgers most definitely do not have to be beef) and the vegan “chicken” entry with Korean sauce and gochujang mayo. We did love the krispie chicken, too, though we wished the miso butter was more prominent. If you’re not a burger fan (weird), we’d also recommend the trio of tacos, or the stellar dirty tots and bone marrow gravy fries. burgerandbeyond.co.uk Bleecker Potentially London’s favourite burger joint, Bleecker is undeniably committed to its cause, with founder Zan Kaufman trying to recreate the moment of euphoria he experienced upon trying “the best burger he had ever eaten” in New York on this side of the pond. From a burger truck to its first kiosk in Spitalfields Market, then bricks and mortar restaurants, it’s been years but this burger joint is still going strong. Again, keeping things simple, the most adventurous it gets is adding blue cheese or Neil Rankin’s symplicity burger to the menu. Burgers can be at their best this way and at Bleecker, the double cheeseburger is more than enough to satisfy any craving. bleecker.co.uk Punk Chef You can find professional chef and TV presenter Scott Garthwaite’s food truck in East London’s Spitalfields Market, which not only serves mouthwatering burgers but also employs three members of staff from the deaf community. We got our hands (and mouths) on Punk Chef’s classic number “The Legend”, which is essentially a chicken parm burger (though plant-based escalopes are also available) with homemade bechamel sauce, melted cheese, gherkins and a special burger sauce. A standout among London’s already top burger offering. punkchef.co.uk Blacklock Known for its chops and iconic Sunday roast, we’d also heard great things about the Blacklock burger. If you’re dining there but don’t fancy chops or steak, the burger offers so much more. Potentially more enjoyable, in our opinion, the double cheeseburger is packed full of onions that have been caramelised in “a healthy glug of vermouth”. Beautifully rich – but not overly so – and also a decent size. We have to say that while the rising trend of “the bigger, the better” may suit some, it might be overreaching for the humble burger. Bravo, Blacklock – we’ll be back for this one. theblacklock.com Black Bear Another London burger staple and one whose market stall days we still remember, Black Bear proves it’s an oldie but a goldie. You can’t come here and not get the Black Bear with cheese, smoked bacon and onion jam. However, the brisket burger, with 12-hour braised meat, and the miso bacon burger, with miso honey butter mayo, are very good choices, too. Share two and take one home for later? Also indulge in the cheeseburger spring roll, one of the restaurant’s signature snacks. blackbearburger.com Shake Shack Yes, we know everyone is well aquainted with the New York burger chain, but Shake Shack has come a long way since its days of being a hot dog stand in Madison Square. Originally the class “roadside” burger, what we really love about Shake Shack is the size. Like we said earlier, bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better and whether you go for a single or double patty here, Shake Shack burgers tend to hit the spot every time. While our frontrunner remains the Shackmeister (with those perfectly crispy ale-marinated shallots), the vegan crispy shallot burger is another one of our favourites. shakeshack.co.uk Coqfighter We’ve been pretty focused on beef burgers up until now – although still acknowledging the delicious vegan versions those burger brands have to offer – but here’s a spot that knows its stuff when it comes to fried chicken. It seemed only fitting that we tried the variety of sides on the menu, with the laksa butter wings and classic buffalo options taking centre stage. Don’t worry – we left room for the burgers, and thoroughly enjoyed devouring the iconic green chilli cheeseburger, featuring chipotle mayo and pickled green chilli. The honey ginger buffalo (what better string of words or ingredients is there?) is also a strong choice – but beware, it’s a messy one. coqfighter.com The Beaumont Stepping away from the classic burger joints, there are many standard restaurants in London that serve up burgers to rival those whose sole purpose is to cook them. The Beaumont is one of these spots, with Gatsby’s Room, situated in the centre of the hotel, offering the perfect escape from the buzz of central London. The Beaumont cheeseburger features a juicy patty on top of caramelised onions and is slathered with a rich and moreish secret sauce – proving that a good old fashioned favourite can still leave a lasting impression. Served with thick cut chips, it’s ideal for anyone who fancies a more decadent setting when devouring such a meal. thebeaumont.com Five Guys Another American food chain to make a long-lasting impression on the UK burger community, Five Guys is exactly where our brain goes when we think of the ultimate dirty burger. Things are kept simple, with a hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon burger and bacon cheeseburger on that side of the menu (the chain also includes hot dogs and various sandwiches, too) and if you ever have that intense craving, this may be the place to satisfy it. While a tricky one for anyone with a nut allergy (the chips are fried in peanut oil), the burgers come with two patties as standard and can be washed down with one of the many milkshake flavours on offer. If you want to cement yourself as a firm fan, Five Guys has also released its own line of merchandise so you can fully embrace the burger brand. fiveguys.co.uk The Mayfair Chippy And then there are the establishments that don’t want to miss out on the action. The Mayfair Chippy has launched a fish and chips-themed burger especially for National Burger Day – proving that you don’t need to be a burger bar to celebrate the occasion. The luxe burger is set to include only the most premium fillings of a halibut patty, deep fried lobster tail, spiced caviar mayonnaise, truffle comte cheese, brioche and pickles. It’s a pricey one, coming in at £60, and includes a side of chips and salad, too. It’s only available Thursday 24 August so if this sounds intriguing, head to Mayfair pronto. mayfairchippy.com So we’ve covered food and now what about wine? Meet the sommeliers who are breaking the industry’s stuffy stereotype Read More The best outdoor restaurants, terraces and rooftop bars in London to book now In-N-Out owner reveals where ‘animal style’ name comes from Foodies forced to eat their own words after trick ‘gourmet’ meal Starbucks releases new fall menu with two brand-new drinks: ‘Pure joy’
1970-01-01 08:00

Texas A&M fans all want seats to the Jimbo-Petrino three-ring circus
As Texas A&M tries to rebuild from a terrible offensive 2022-23 campaign, the Aggies have been able to sell out their allotted season tickets. Does the 12th man believe in their new offense?
1970-01-01 08:00

LSU football star suspended vs. Florida State for highly questionable reason
LSU football will take on Florida State in Week 1 down a man after Maason Smith was suspended over an NIL from two years ago.
1970-01-01 08:00

Caleb Williams pondering 2024 NFL Draft decision is hilariously hard to believe
Caleb Williams refuses to commit to the 2024 NFL Draft, but there's every reason to believe the projected No. 1 pick will eventually be all-in on the NFL.
1970-01-01 08:00

Reggie Bush has upperhand on NCAA with latest legal action
Reggie Bush is suing the NCAA for defamation. Whether or not he wins the court case, he has the upper hand on the NCAA in this one.
1970-01-01 08:00

USC beats out Georgia, Alabama on SEC soil for No. 1 recruit in 2026 class
No. 1 ranked quarterback Julian Lewis is shunning his home state and choosing to play football at USC in 2026.
1970-01-01 08:00

Lee Johnson saw ‘a gulf in class’ during Hibernian’s heavy defeat to Aston Villa
Lee Johnson claims his Hibernian side were up against an Aston Villa side with “almost superhuman” qualities in their 5-0 Europa Conference League thrashing at Easter Road. It was the Midlands club’s first European tie in 13 years and the first leg of their qualifying play-off tie was won by the interval thanks to three headers, two by England international Ollie Watkins and one from Jamaica’s Leon Bailey. Watkins grabbed his hat-trick three minutes after the restart with and Douglas Luiz adding a fifth from the spot in the 74th minute to make next week’s second leg at Villa Park all but academic. It was Johnson’s 500th competitive game in management and he tried to put the defeat into context as he turned his attention to the visit of Livingston in the Premiership on Saturday. He said: “I think we have a really good, honest bunch of players. I trust them and they give their all every day. “There is a difference. Premier League players now are almost superhuman in their athleticism. It’s the super-elite from all over the world and that’s what you get. “It was a good experience, and I don’t think it will affect confidence going into the Livingston game. “But the physical recovery is really key for us because we are a team that needs to use our running power and our physicality at our level to maximise our performances. “I’m still proud of the club for being at this level on this stage. The reality is we have an English League One budget against a fantastic multi-international standard Aston Villa. “It was clear there was a gulf in class, I can’t deny that. “At half-time we wanted to salvage some pride and look like we were going to go and win the half. We started it pretty well and got behind them, but that’s the difference – one break, one poor positional error, one quality pass and a great finish. “Having played against Premier League teams in the past, you cannot make positional errors because they’re punished. “So I hope this experience is a good one, because your lessons can become your teacher. We can grow from having felt the quality of the athleticism, the touch and the tactical work that Villa did tonight.” Villa boss Unai Emery was pleased with the way his side approached their biggest away win in Europe. He said: “If we weren’t competitive and serious we could have had problems. “We spoke before the match about how we had to respect the opponents and be focused and consistent in our game plan. “We knew if we weren’t we could have lost. We were focused and disciplined and consistent for 90 minutes. That is the mentality I want to create here.” Emery revealed he replaced goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez with Robin Olsen for the start of the second half because the World Cup winner “had a small pain and we didn’t want to take a risk with him”. Former Hibs favourite John McGinn captained Villa and was a powerhouse in midfield to the delight of his boss. “He is amazing,” said Emery. “I know you love him here more than me, but I think he is amazing. “He always wants, from the first minute to the 90th minute, to run and to be competitive. “I am very happy with him. And not only as a player, as a person as well. His commitment is very high. “He is always positive, always smiling. In bad moments, in good moments, he always keeps the same mentality. It is fantastic.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Great Britain’s Josh Kerr wins stunning 1500m gold at World Championships Aymeric Laporte announces Manchester City departure Bernardo Silva signs new Manchester City contract
1970-01-01 08:00

In-N-Out owner reveals where ‘animal style’ name comes from
In-N-Out’s classic “animal style” burger and fries used to be a secret menu item at the fast food chain, but has since become one most customers are now familiar with. The option became so popular that it is now listed under the “not so secret menu” category on In-N-Out’s website. As for what it entails, “animal style” refers to a burger with a beef patty grilled with mustard then served with pickles, lettuce, grilled onions, and extra spread on a toasted bun. Animal style fries, meanwhile, are topped with cheese, spread, and grilled onions. Although part of the menu, it wasn’t previously clear where the name for the burger joint’s style came from, until now. Lynsi Snyder, one of the owners of In-N-Out, is sharing the chain’s secret, and other unknown details about the restaurant, in her book set to come out in October titled, The Ins-N-Outs of In-N-Out Burger: The Inside Story of California’s First Drive-Through and How it Became a Beloved Cultural Icon. According to Insider, which received an advance copy of Synder’s book, one of the sections is called “Birth of Icons,” in which Synder discussed how the “animal style” burger was named. It turns out that animal comes from rowdy customers or “animals.” Snyder wrote that these customers “would honk their horns while orders were taken,” or they would “leave trash on the lots and play their music extra loud”. According to Syner, they were sometimes so rowdy they would get into fights with each other. At the time, employees at In-N-Out were called “helpers” who began to call these customers “animals.” “Good naturedly, the helpers inside referred to them as ‘animals,’” Snyder wrote. She added that, one night in 1961, an “animal” spotted a manager making himself a burger. The joint was originally designed with floor-to-ceiling windows so customers could watch burgers being prepared, which was co-founder Harry Snyder’s idea, as he “believed customers would enjoy seeing their food made with care,” Snyder explained. The customer was intrigued as to what this burger was and asked him what was in it. “It’s mustard fried,” Roberts responded, according to the book. “I add pickles, grilled onions, and extra spread.” In response, the customer said: “Sounds amazing. Can you make me one too?” according to the book. Roberts obliged, and “the guy wolfed it down,” calling it the best burger he ever had, Snyder wrote. The customer liked it so much that he continued to order it, but had no idea what to call. Eventually Roberts told him, “Just call it Animal Style,” according to Synder. “That’s how Animal Style burgers got their name, and the request is the first known instance of a secret In-N-Out menu item,” Snyder wrote. Today, this style is a popular way to not only order burgers, but fries as well. Synder wrote that the case for other items on the “not so secret menu” comes from custom creations customers have come up with over the years. For example, the Double-Double was a custom “double meat, double cheese” off-menu order made by guests looking for a meatier meal, Snyder wrote. The Double-Double first appeared on the menu during the 1 August 1966 opening of store number six, according to the book. Read More Khloe Kardashian teases Kris Jenner for not knowing cost of fast food after she gave her $300 for In-N-Out Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sparks debate after declaring In-N-Out ‘overrated’: ‘Thank you for saying this’ ‘We refuse to become vaccination police’: In-N-Out Burger is a leading mandate opponent on the West Coast Starbucks releases new fall menu with two brand-new drinks: ‘Pure joy’ What is the UK’s cheapest meal deal? Waitrose has launched its first ever lunchtime meal deal
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