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Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Ruben Amorim makes Harry Maguire decision after THREE Premier League transfer offers
Harry Maguire's Manchester United contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season and head coach Ruben Amorim faces a big decision over the centre-back's future Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is ready to keep Harry Maguire on board despite widespread interest. The centre-back's time at Old Trafford looked to be up not too long ago, but he has fought his way back into the club's plans. Maguire was surplus to requirements under Erik ten Hag, but opted against leaving last summer despite Premier League interest. Ten Hag was dismissed in October, and his successor Amorim found a role for the £80m man before United triggered a contract extension for him in January. Now 32, the former Leicester defender is out of contract at the end of this season and free to talk to overseas suitors in January. If player and club have their say, though, he'll be going nowhere. According to The Mail, Maguire is keen to sign an extension which would see him play out the remainder of his career with United. The club are said to be on the same page, though talks are yet to have begun. Amorim has included Maguire in a six-man leadership group, along with Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Tom Heaton, Noussair Mazraoui and captain Bruno Fernandes. This makes an exit unlikely, despite five Premier League clubs looking to pounce. The interest in Maguire doesn't just come from England, either. According to the same Mail report, two unnamed Italian clubs have explored a move, along with three from the Premier League. There have also been suggestions of interest from Turkey and France. The five approaches from England and Italy have been knocked back, though, with no indication right now that an exit might follow. "We have a leadership group now," United boss Amorim said of the changes. "It's not just Bruno. It's not just Harry. It's six guys. They are responsible for the group. "There are some things that in the last year I had to deal with and I said to them this season, you deal with that. Small issues are with you guys. You're responsible. All these small changes, but I think it's helping the group. We have Bruno, we have Harry, Licha [Martinez], Diogo, Tom and Nous." United have been trimming their squad in other areas, with Marcus Rashford joining Barcelona on loan and Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen leaving on a free. More exits are expected, with Jadon Sancho among those in the shop window. More sales are likely to free up funds for further investment, despite Amorim already adding more than £100m in talent to his squad. Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have completed big-money moves, with young Paraguayan defender Diego Leon also joining, while a bid for striker Benjamin Sesko could see the club's summer outlay grow even further before the start of the new season.
Metro
6 hours ago
- Metro
Can Thomas Partey play for Villarreal after rape charges?
Thomas Partey is still closing in on a deal to join Villarreal after appearing in court for an initial hearing having been charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Partey was charged by the Metropolitan Police just four days after his contract with Arsenal expired on July 1. The Ghanaian international is now set to join Villarreal and has already undergone his medical with the Champions League side. Partey is expected to join on an initial 12-month contract with the option to extend for another year. The move comes as Partey awaits to stand trial for the aforementioned charges, which are alleged to have taken place between 2021 and 2022. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – click here and sign up before Friday to make sure you don't miss the first edition. Here's everything you need to know about the situation. The five charges of rape relate to two women and are alleged to have taken place between April 2021 and June 2022. The charge of sexual assault was raised by a third alleged victim and is said to have taken place in February 2022. Metropolitan Police began their investigation into Partey in February 2022 when they received a report of rape before bringing charges against the footballer in July 2025. Partey has previously denied all charges against him. In his first court appearance after being charged, Partey was granted conditional bail following a short hearing. His bail conditions include that he cannot contact any of the three women and must notify police of any permanent changes of address or international travel. However, Partey will still be able to continue his playing career with Villareal, with The Chief Magistrate, Paul Goldspring, saying on Tuesday: 'I understand he's no longer employed in this country and playing in Spain now.' Being accused or under investigation for any offence does not preclude a player from signing for a La Liga club. The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is still waiting for the player's signing and subsequent registration to be made official. Partey is scheduled to next appear in court on September 2 at the Old Bailey in London. Should Partey enter a not guilty plea then the case will proceed to trial. Arsenal released a statement on the day that Partey was charged, saying: 'The player's contract ended on June 30. 'Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case.' More Trending When asked about Arsenal's handling of the situation in pre-season, Mikel Arteta said he was '100 per cent' confident the club had followed the proper processes. 'The club was very clear in its statement,' he added. 'There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.' Arsenal are set to play Villarreal in a pre-season friendly at the Emirates on Wednesday. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Michael Owen makes Premier League top-four prediction for next season MORE: Arsenal legend Ian Wright sends message to Viktor Gyokeres doubters MORE: Former Arsenal footballer Thomas Partey in court over rape charges
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
World's richest footballer worth £15.1bn went to same school as England cricket star
The footballer believed to be the richest in the world went to school in England when he was a teenager - and one of Englahd's cricketers was educated at the same place Brunei international footballer Faiq Bolkiah, thought to be the richest player in the world, went to £58,000-per-year Bradfield College when he grew up in England. He isn't the only professional athlete to pass through the doors of the Berkshire private school, though. Born in the United States and raised in the UK, Bolkiah is a member of the Bruneian royal family and has previously been estimated to have a net worth of around $20billion (£15.1bn). He turned 27 earlier this year, making him the same age as England cricketer - and fellow Bradfield old boy - Gus Atkinson. Atkinson, as far as Mirror Sport knows, isn't a multi-billionaire. However, when he made his first class debut for Surrey in 2020, he was described by the school as an 'Old Bradfieldian'. He was one of four alumni mentioned in a round-up of professional cricketers at the time, along with Lauren Bell, Harry Came and Ryan Higgins. Bell is also an England international, having played test, ODI and T20 cricket for the senior women's team. Bolkiah and Atkinson might not have seen a great deal of one another at school. The royal spent time in the academies of Southampton, Chelsea and Leicester, while Atkinson's schooldays saw him get minutes for Surrey's second XI while still in his teens. While he never made it as a Premier League footballer, Bolkiah played for Leicester's Under-19 side in the UEFA Youth League in 2016. He played alongside the likes of future top-flight stars Harvey Barnes and Calvin Bassey, while opponents included Portugal keeper Diogo Costa and Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot when the Foxes took on Porto. Attacking midfielder Bolkiah moved to Portugal himself in 2020, spending a year with Maritimo, before continuing his career in Thailand. He spent the last two seasons at Ratchaburi, returning to action in February after a year out with a broken leg. Atkinson, like his fellow Old Bradfieldian, has carved out a career as an international athlete. His first England opportunity came in 2023, with his test debut arriving the following year. He was part of England's squad for the fifth test against India at the Oval, taking 5-33 in the tourists' first innings. He took three more wickets in the second innings, while contributing 11 and 17 with the bat, but England suffered a narrow six-run defeat to tie the series 2-2. The 27-year-old's form leaves him in contention to play a big part in the winter Ashes series in Australia. Speaking after the Oval test, captain Ben Stokes said: "The way in which we've been able to perform throughout the series, I'm looking forward to getting to Australia and doing what we want to go out there and do." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
