Ruben Amorim ‘dreams’ of signing former Man Utd transfer target for AC Milan

Ruben Amorim has already been involved in transfer discussions with AC Milan’s hierarchy (Picture: Getty)

Newly appointed AC Milan boss Ruben Amorim is working to strengthen his attack with a proven goalscorer this summer and has reportedly identified PSG misfit Goncalo Ramos as his number one target up front.

Amorim had been out of a job following his dismissal at Manchester United back in early January, with the Portuguese’s turbulent reign at Old Trafford brought to a halt after only 14 months.

A return to the Primeira Liga had been mooted as a possibility for Amorim but the 41-year-old would go on to reject Benfica, before setting his sights on a move to the San Siro.

And on Tuesday, an official statement confirmed that Amorim had put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Serie A giants, with the option of a further season.

Don't miss anything from the World Cup

Still got it (Picture: MB Media/Getty Images)

A Lionel Messi hattrick. A Kylian Mbappe screamer. Erling Haaland's first World Cup goals. We've got it all in today's World Cup newsletter. Oh, and we're looking ahead to England's crucial opener against Croatia.

Sign up here.

Amorim takes over the reins from Massimiliano Allegri, who was sacked last month after a desperately disappointing campaign in which the Rossoneri finished fifth and failed to secure qualification for the Champions League.

There will be enormous pressure on Amcoorim to hit the ground running in the hot seat – and Milan’s hierarchy are prepared to do everything in their power to help their new manager get off to the best possible start.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Amorim’s arrival has signalled a ‘transfer shift’ at Milan and the ex-United and Sporting boss has ‘already outlined his ideas’ in various discussions with club bosses.

Amorim ‘dreams’ of coaxing Ramos to AC Milan (Picture: Getty)

Ramos is currently away with Portugal at this summer’s World Cup (Picture: Getty)

While Amorim is said to be satisfied the squad he has inherited from Allegri, he would ‘naturally be delighted’ to bring in reinforcements to help boost his prospects for the upcoming season.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Ramos has played a bit-part role over the last two years under Luis Enrique and the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has not ruled out the prospect of a summer transfer move for his client.

Ramos indicated he was happy and settled in the French capital only last year, but the forward’s increasingly peripheral position means he ‘might have had a change of heart’, despite PSG’s extraordinary success – with the Portugal international winning 12 pieces of silverware since his arrival.

The striker has scored 45 goals in 131 appearances for PSG (Picture: Getty)

It’s claimed Amorim is ‘hoping’ this to be the case, with the manager said to be ‘dreaming’ of landing Ramos and ready to welcome his fellow countryman to the San Siro ‘with open arms’.

An initial loan deal with an option or obligation to buy could be the most workable option for Milan given PSG have slapped a hefty €40million (£34.6m) price tag on Ramos.

PSG signed Ramos from Benfica for a fee of €65m (£56.3m) – plus €15m (£13m) in bonuses – three years ago, seeing off strong competition from Manchester United to get their man.

Ramos, who has racked up 45 goals in 131 appearances for PSG, is tied into a contract at the Parc des Princes until June 2028.

Ramos won a second Champions League title with PSG last season (Picture: Getty)

In central midfield, Manuel Ugarte and Morten Hjulmand – two players who have worked closely with Amorim – are named as potential targets for Milan, while Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio has been identified as Milan’s ‘preferred choice’ at centre-back.

Milan would, though, have to sell before entering into the transfer market for new recruits and wantaway forward Rafael Leao is viewed as the most best possible solution to raising substantial funds.

There is also some uncertainty surrounding the respective futures of Luka Modric, Mike Maignan, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana.

‘There are ambitions that stay with you throughout your career and coaching AC Milan has always been one of mine,’ Amorim told Milan’s official website after his appointment was confirmed.

‘I know exactly what this club means: history, prestige and an extraordinary fanbase around the world.

‘It is a challenge I embrace with pride and enthusiasm, fully aware of what these colours represent.

‘I can’t wait to get started and to experience every day the passion that drives AC Milan.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments Add as preferred source

from Metro https://ift.tt/MWpy1XI
via IFTTT

Perrie Edwards ‘cried all day’ just hours before wedding over mistaken theft

Perrie Edwards had a stumble just before her wedding to husband Alex (Picture: Simon Ashton)

Perrie Edwards was on cloud nine as she tied the knot to hubby Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain over the weekend – but the wedding was not all smooth sailing.

The dazzling but ‘low-key’ nuptials between the Little Mix star and the pro footballer, both 32, took place in Portugal on Saturday.

The newlyweds – who share a four-year-old son, Axel and a six-month-old daughter, Alanis – were all smiles on the day as they were surrounded by their friends and family at a scenic Catholic church in the village of Estoi.

But the special day – also attended by Little Mix bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall – was almost marred by a missing valuable just hours before the pop singer was meant to be saying ‘I do’ at the altar.

Recalling the incident in a new interview, she explained that she owned a precious diamond necklace given to her by Alex after the birth of Axel, which she has worn every day since.

The day before heading to Portugal, however, she realised it had disappeared.

The star explained that a valuable necklace given to her by her husband went missing (Picture: Simon Ashton)

She shared with Vogue: ‘ I cried all day, we looked everywhere – we even checked the hoover – but it was gone. I was convinced someone had stolen it.’

Hope was all but lost until the morning of the wedding itself when her hairstylist, Aaron Carlo, saved the day.

‘He was sorting through my hair extensions, and he said: “Okay, Perrie: what I’m about to show you is your something old, your something new, your everything in one, and you’re going to cry.”

‘Sure enough, upon seeing the precious locket he’d found caught up in the hair.’

The reaction was instant, and she was ‘sobbing’ all over again, this time from happiness.

‘I was so happy and so relieved. It set the tone – I knew from that moment it was gonna be the best day ever,’ she added.

Luckily, it reappeared in the nick of time – and the nuptials were back on track (Picture: Simon Ashton)

And she certainly wasn’t the only one switching on the waterworks that day. As she recalled: ‘Alex isn’t a crier – he doesn’t get emotional that often. But when he turned around at the altar and saw me for the first time, we both just cried our eyes out.

‘I thought: “I’ll never forget this moment right here. It was beautiful. I’ve never experienced a room so full of love.”‘

Although Jade had to jet off early to attend the Primavera Sound festival in Porto, Leigh-Anne stuck around to dance the night away.

‘We were absolutely going off to En Vogue… we still remembered all of our harmonies and the choreography!’ Perrie joked.

It’s been a big year for the pair who also welcomed their daughter Alanis in January (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Perrie and Alex have been together since 2017 and got engaged in 2022, and the wedding comes during a big year for the music artist.

After dropping her debut self-titled solo album in September, she welcomed her baby daughter, Alanis, in January and has now ticked off yet another milestone with this wedding.

Even in January, when discussing the two major life events, she said: ‘Yes! I have the birth of my album and the birth of my child coming, and I can’t believe it’s all fallen at the same time. It’s wild.

‘Obviously, it wasn’t planned, but I feel like it’s worked out to be good, because I can promote the album, I can work my ass off, get the album out there, and then the industry kind of switches off at Christmas and January. So really, the timing works out perfectly. I’m excited, I love a challenge!’

Comments Add as preferred source

from Metro https://ift.tt/mjSTVGo
via IFTTT

Rodri slammed over ‘arrogant’ and ‘disrespectful’ Cape Verde comments after Spain draw

Spain captain Rodri accused Cape Verde of refusing to ‘get past midfield’ (Picture: Getty)

French World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit has accused Rodri of ‘arrogance’ and ‘disrespect’ after the midfielder appeared to criticise Cape Verde’s tactical approach against Spain.

Cape Verde pulled off one of the biggest shocks in recent World Cup memory as they held European champions Spain to a goalless draw in their opening Group H match on Monday.

Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha, 40, stole the headlines with a heroic performance between the sticks for the tournament debutants, recording seven saves to keep out Luis de la Fuente’s all-star attack in Atlanta.

Arguably Spain’s best chance fell to Ferran Torres towards the end of the first half, but the Barcelona forward was unable to capitalise, hammering the ball against the crossbar from six yards out.

Don't miss anything from the World Cup

Crunch time beckons for Thomas Tuchel (Picture: FA via Getty Images)

We've got the latest from the England camp, previews of the biggest games and everything you missed overnight in our daily World Cup newsletter.

Sign up here.

With 65 places separating the two teams in the FIFA rankings before kick-off, it’s hardly surprising that Cape Verde players and fans broke into feverous celebration as referee Adham Makhadmeh blew his whistle to signal full-time.

De la Fuente’s squad looked frustrated and short of ideas, meanwhile, with the disappointing result ramping up the pressure ahead of La Roja’s next clash with Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

‘It wasn’t meant to be. There’s little to complain about,’ Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri said in his post-match interview with La 1.

The World Cup debutants produced the biggest shock of the tournament thus far (Picture: Getty)

De la Fuente cut a frustrated figure on the touchline in Atlanta (Picture: Getty)

‘We knew it was a game that required patience. They sat back and they dropped back very quickly. We couldn’t put it in. We created chances, but couldn’t finish.

‘The positive thing is that they barely created anything against us. We need to improve our finishing.’

On Cape Verde’s tactics, Rodri, Spain’s captain, said: ‘That’s how they play. They don’t get past midfield.

‘It’s a matter of improving our finishing.’

https://www.instagram.com/p/DZpIiwCKJa6/?hl=en

Unsurprisingly, Rodri’s comments were met with a less-than-sympathetic reaction from those who had been cheering on Monday’s massive underdogs Cape Verde.

According to ex-France, Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Petit, Rodri – the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner – should ‘look at himself in the mirror’ before picking apart the tactics of the opposition.

‘I think it’s arrogant,’ Petit said talkSPORT.

Rodri should ‘look himself in the mirror’ before taking aim at the opposition, says Petit (Picture: Getty)

‘I don’t expect Cape Verde to get the position of the ball and to create on many occasions against Spain. Spain is one of the best teams in the world.

‘The way he said that, this is disrespectful for Cape Verde and I think you should look at yourself in the mirror because you should have done better and adapted to win that game.

‘You had some occasions to score, you didn’t, and I think you have to put credit on the Cape Verde players because they defended like lions on the pitch.’

Up Next

Petit – who lifted the World Cup with France in 1998 – went on: ‘If you don’t like their style of play, it’s up to you to do enough to win that game.

‘I don’t like those criticisms when you meet opponents that are not at the same level.

‘At the end you share the points and you think, “Yeah, they were too defensive”, I don’t like it at all.’

Rodri and Co return to action against Saudi Arabia this weekend (Picture: Getty)

Petit believes Cape Verde’s resolute performance is yet more evidence that the so-called smaller teams have ‘improved a lot’ and the gap is nowhere near what it was during his playing days.

‘The gap is not the same that it used to be before so they have to realise that even small teams have improved a lot, individually and collectively,’ he explained.

‘Nowadays, those guys prepare the same way physically so at the end of the day, the difference can be made technically, on the creativity as well.

‘You can see that those teams that Rodri is talking about, they have unity. They don’t have great, great players but the fact that they’re all working for each other makes it very difficult for the opponents.’

Up Next

Petit has been largely underwhelmed by the standard on show thus far at the World Cup.

However, the Frenchman is confident there will be plenty of ‘surprises’ around the corner and was particularly encouraged by Morocco’s first-half display in the side’s 1-1 draw with Brazil.

‘I was not impressed so far by the World Cup but there is one team that impressed me a lot and that was Morocco for the first 30 minutes,’ he added.

‘I thought, “Oh, be careful!”, so I’m very curious about what will happen tonight between France and Senegal because Senegal as well, they’re a very good team.

‘I think we’re probably going to have some surprises.’

POLL

Are Spain genuine contenders to win the World Cup?

• Yes
• No

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Comments Add as preferred source

from Metro https://ift.tt/V7KOv0G
via IFTTT

Captain of Russian shadow fleet ship captured by commandos in Channel charged

Up Next

The captain of a shadow Russian ship carrying oil captured by commandos is to appear in a British court.

Ajay Pant, 38, will appear at Southampton Magistrates Court tomorrow charged with contravening sanctions.

The Indian national and captain of the Smyrtos, has also been charged with directly or indirectly supplying or delivering by ship prohibited oil or oil products from Russia to a third country during June 2026, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

Royal Marine commandos and NCA officers seized the tanker in the Channel early on Sunday in the first UK-led operation to capture a sanctioned vessel.

British armed forces intercepting a Russian shadow fleet vessel in the Channel in the early hours of Sunday.
(Picture: LPhot Hutchins/MoD Crown copyright/PA Wire)

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.

The Smyrtos vessel is anchored off Weymouth, in Dorset where it is being monitored.

The 24 Smyrtos crew members, from Georgia and India, remain on board the ship.

Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ carries 75% of the country’s sanctioned oil, according to the MoD, and operates under obscure ownership as a way of getting around international sanctions.

The Smyrtos will be provisionally moved to an anchorage off the south coast of England and be monitored for any environmental or safety concerns(Picture: LPhot Hutchins/MoD Crown copyright/PA Wire)

Up Next

Despite this, the UK has sanctioned more than 500 of its 700 vessels.

In another operation on June 1, the country intercepted a sanctioned oil tanker suspected of being part of the shadow fleet with UK support.

Speaking on Sky News hours after the capture, Lisa Nandy said: ‘One of the instructions the prime minister gave early on was that he wanted us to be on the front foot, taking that decisive action in order to keep the country safe and deal with the threat posed by Russia.

‘We’ve been able to successfully do that. I want to pay tribute to all the Navy officers involved in that; it is no small achievement, but it is also a significant blow to the Russians.’

Add as preferred source

from Metro https://ift.tt/VDfRtHY
via IFTTT