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
1970-01-01 08:00
Aston Martin Drives Revenue Higher on New Models, Prices
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings Plc shares rose after revenue surged in the second quarter on higher prices
1970-01-01 08:00
Lionesses’ pack are forming stronger relationships – Alex Greenwood
England defender Alex Greenwood is confident vital new connections are forming in camp that will see an improved display when the Lionesses take on Denmark in their second World Cup game on Friday. Georgia Stanway’s retaken penalty was enough to secure England a nervy 1-0 victory in their opener against underdogs Haiti, but did little to ease concerns about their attack as it extended the streak without a goal from open play to three matches. Yet this is a much-changed line-up from last summer’s European Championship triumph, with Sarina Wiegman’s starting line-up in Brisbane showing five changes from the one that lifted that trophy almost a year ago. Greenwood, who replaced now-forward Rachel Daly at left-back against Haiti, said: “I was prepared. I knew my role in the team and whether that’s centre-back or that’s left-back, we’ve all played in those positions before whether that’s at club or country. “We might not play together every week at club level, but we’re very familiar with each other. “And that’s in training, we’ve been in training camp for three weeks together before the tournament started, and that’s enough time to prepare for your partnerships. “You build up relationships, but as a tournament starts those things develop naturally as well. So for us, again, it’s just about keeping doing that in training, keeping forming those partnerships and eventually it will come together. “I think it’s a case of coming together and trying different things with different people. Everyone has different strengths, and our wingers are all so gifted in different ways. “Whoever you play with you try and play to their strengths.” Greenwood will hope it comes together sooner rather than later as the world number four Lionesses now face much higher-ranked opponents than debutants Haiti, number 53 in FIFA’s global table, in 13th-placed Denmark. England’s defence face a particularly potent challenge in ex-Chelsea forward Pernille Harder, while Wiegman’s forwards will need to find the finishing touch after squandering numerous chances in their opener. While she would not speculate over potential changes to the starting line-up, Greenwood added: “I don’t know about changes in personnel, but I think for us coming away from the game, we definitely created chances and had chances to score more goals. “That’s not a concern. We know we’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net when we have those chances and I think that will come. “We’ve got enough players, enough quality in this team to create the chances and to put the ball in the back of the net.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Declan Rice excited by chance to help Arsenal ‘get back to the big time’ Mark Cavendish reveals depths of depression in new documentary Seamer James Anderson still hungry to play Test cricket for England
1970-01-01 08:00
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
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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’
1970-01-01 08:00
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
1970-01-01 08:00
UK Billionaire Joe Lewis Charged in US With Insider Trading
British billionaire Joe Lewis, the owner of the Tottenham Hotspur soccer club in London, has been charged with
1970-01-01 08:00
Colonisation 'luckiest thing' to happen to Australia - John Howard
John Howard's remark come ahead of a historic referendum on Indigenous recognition.
1970-01-01 08:00
Bayern Munich seek new Daniel Levy meeting to thrash out Harry Kane deal
Bayern Munich want to meet with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy again to discuss a deal for Harry Kane.
1970-01-01 08:00
Tesla Cars Barred From World University Games Ahead of Xi Visit
Tesla Inc. vehicles are barred from parts of a major Chinese city as it prepares for a visit
1970-01-01 08:00
Greece fires in maps and satellite images show extent of damage
Maps, satellite images and before and after pictures show the extent of wildfires across Greece.
1970-01-01 08:00
Watch as England hold press conference ahead of World Cup match against Denmark
Watch as England hold a press conference ahead of their Women’s World Cup match against Denmark. Sarina Wiegman’s team play their second group game on Friday 28 July and ahead of the fixture, forward Lauren Hemp discussed how the Lionesses have moved on from their Euro 2022 triumph. The Man City star, who started every game during that historic run last summer, said the squad are determined to refocus attention on their World Cup campaign. “As a team, yes that happened last summer, what a fantastic summer it was, but obviously it’s a new summer now, new challenges,” Hemp said. “You’ve seen in games in this tournament that anything can happen, but we’re ready for each one. “It’s exciting to be a part of but obviously it’s a massive tournament where anything can happen, so as a team we’re just focusing on each game as it comes.” England won their opening World Cup fixture against Haiti 1-0. Read More Seamer James Anderson still hungry to play Test cricket for England Team GB chief in confident mood ahead of ‘most inspirational’ Paris Olympics Wickets tumble at Warwickshire on dramatic first day against Middlesex
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