Josh Sargent is a target for West Ham, Manchester City are prepared to sell trio to boost January spending, Ibrahima Konate is attracting interest from Europe.
West Ham have added USA and Norwich striker Josh Sargent, 25, to their list of targets for January. (Sun)
Manchester City are prepared to sell Brazil forward Savinho, 21, England full-back Rico Lewis, 21, and Norway midfielder Oscar Bobb, 22, in January to fund their transfer window. (Football Insider)
Liverpool and France defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, has emerged as a target for Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid. (Caught Offside)
Real Madrid are considering a move for 26-year-old Portugal and Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot. (Teamtalk)
Inter Milan are looking at targets to replace Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer, 36, next summer and Tottenham’s Italy stopper Guglielmo Vicario, 29, is a leading candidate. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian)
Tottenham are looking to accelerate talks over a new deal for Spain full-back Pedro Porro, 26, amid interest from Manchester City. (Teamtalk)
Newcastle will face competition from Tottenham and Aston Villa to sign Manchester City’s 23-year-old English goalkeeper James Trafford. (Football Insider)
England forward Raheem Sterling, 31, might be offered a route out of Chelsea with Leeds and Crystal Palace keen. (Caught Offside)
AC Milan are looking at West Ham’s Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug, 32, as an alternative to Netherlands striker Joshua Zirkzee, 24, because of objections in the way Manchester United would want to structure a deal. (Gazzetta dello Sport – in Italian)
Olympic heptathlon champion Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill opens up about retirement from athletics, raising two children, and the body image pressures facing female athletes
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Dame Jessica Ennis Hill is opening up on her time as a competing athlete(Image: Getty Images For MOBO)
Nine years after retiring from elite athletics, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill remains one of Britain’s most adored sporting legends, known for her top performances on the track, not least her 2012 Olympic heptathlon gold.
Nowadays her life looks a bit different, as she works to inspire the next generation of sporting stars while enjoying “taking a step back” to embrace motherhood. In fact, to Reggie, 11, and Olivia, eight, her kids with construction site manager husband Andy Hills, her title means nothing.
Jessica, 39, says: “They don’t really care that I’m ‘Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill’. To them I’m just Mum. Kids don’t really evaluate their parents through the lens of career achievements. One day they will, I’m sure!”
For the three-time world champion, it was important to step away from the track on her own terms.
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She says: “I retired when I wanted to retire. I was ready after the last Olympics [2016]. It was like… starting the next phase of my life.”
Yet the Sheffield native is aware not every athlete has such an easy ride when it comes to retirement. She says: “It can be quite a challenging time. Your whole life has been around training and performing, and then it suddenly stops.
“But thankfully for me, it was a smooth transition, and having my family and support network around me really helped.” And although the roar of the stadium crowds may be behind her, a huge part of her identity will always be tied to sport. Jessica says: “I always loved competing. What started as a hobby when I was a kid became my career, my job, and it was amazing.
“But now it’s nice to sit back a little, enjoy being a parent and explore new opportunities, like inspiring our kids to be healthy, happy, and active.” As a woman who has been scrutinised intensely – she has even been accused of being fat – body image is a topic she approaches with honesty.
She says: “In retirement, your body changes. I’ve had two children, but I’m still active. I love running, strength work, and staying fit. Sport taught me lessons that I carry with me every day.” Jessica is also passionate about passing on this important message to young athletes, particularly girls, and she advocates healthy eating as an ambassador for breakfast brand Weetabix. She advises girls: “Know who you are, be confident, and don’t take too much notice of what other people say. Your body is doing something incredible. Embrace that.”
The star is all too aware of the pressures faced by female athletes. She says: “Being a woman and an athlete can be… challenging. I had my son at the end of my career, and coming back to competing after having a child is a huge barrier.
“Things are improving but women still have more to consider than male athletes in the sports world.” Nevertheless, she is optimistic about the progress women’s sport is making on the world stage. She says: “It’s got so much better. We see amazing female athletes promoted, featured in campaigns. The Lionesses have raised the profile of women’s sport hugely, and athletics has stars like Keely Hodgkinson shining through. “Female sport’s in a really positive place.” Jessica still puts in the miles – this week she joined rugby legend Kevin Sinfield in Sheffield for his 7 in 7 ultramarathon challenge in aid of motor neurone disease charities. But while she loves watching fellow athletes compete in Strictly and I’m a Celeb, she won’t be signing up herself. She admits: “I’m way too scared of spiders to go into the jungle, and dancing every Saturday would terrify me! I’ll happily enjoy it all from the sofa.”
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill is a Weetabix all-star and together they are on a mission to give Brits the best possible start to their day and help them achieve their goals – bix by bix.
Saracens went top of the Premiership Women’s Rugby table with a bonus-point win at Exeter, while Aoife Wafer made her long-awaited Harlequins debut in a 22-17 victory over Sale.
In Saturday’s other match, Trailfinders ran in nine tries in a convincing 57-10 win against bottom club Leicester.
Sarries are level on points with defending champions Gloucester-Hartpury, who are on a bye week after starting the campaign with six consecutive bonus-point victories.
They were made to work hard for their win by Exeter, who led 14-5 late in the first half thanks to two tries from Canada centre Alex Tessier.
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At Twickenham Stoop, England full-back Ellie Kildunne scored the first of Quins’ four tries after Scotland international Rhona Lloyd had given the visitors an early lead.
Beth Wilcock, Sarah Parry and Connie Powell secured a try bonus point, although Shona Campbell’s late score set up a nervous finale.
It was announced in May that 22-year-old back row Wafer, the 2025 Women’s Six Nations player of the tournament, would move to Harlequins from Leinster after the Women’s Rugby World Cup.
However, injuries sustained in Ireland’s quarter-final defeat by France in September meant she has had to wait until the seventh round of league fixtures to make her first appearance for her new club.
She came off the bench to play the final 30 minutes.
Quins’ win moved them up to fourth in the table, back above Trailfinders, for whom Vicky Laflin scored two first-half tries in their emphatic victory over Leicester.
The Rooneys’ Christmas lights can be seen by aircraft flying over, with the family known for spending thousands on their professionally decorated festive decorations
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Coleen and Wayne spend thousands on Christmas lights for £2m Cheshire mansion(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Coleen and Wayne Rooney have reportedly spent thousands adorning their £20m mansion with Christmas lights, so much so that their decorations can be seen by aircraft. Having seemingly enlisted the help of professional decorators, the Rooneys’ festive displays are said to be visible from planes landing and taking off from nearby Manchester airport.
Former United star Rooney, 40, and his wife, Coleen, a star of I’m A Celebrity, have lived in their Cheshire home for the last three and a half years. Located in the county’s affluent Golden Triangle area, home to many footballers and celebrities, the sprawling mansion has been turned into a winter wonderland for Christmas.
Photos of their stunning home show the roof and spacious porch lined with thousands of fairy lights, with the garden brightly lit across trees, hedges and wreaths. The couple shares their incredible home with their four sons: Kai, 15, Klay, 11, Kit, 8, and Cass, 6.
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The family live in the luxurious house, which is said to boast a swimming pool, stables, wine cellar, library, cinema room and hot tub. Their home also has a full-size football pitch, complete with changing rooms and showers.
Wayne is believed to have paid over £4m to a Cheshire property developer to build the mansion, which, of course, has two lifts. The second lift connects to the basement floor, which sports a sprawling gym, pool, Jacuzzi and a cinema room.
This time last year, Coleen was just heading back following her stint in the I’m A Celeb jungle, after slumming it for weeks. But her doting husband had a sweet surprise waiting for her, having spent £10,000 on stunning Christmas lights, ready for her return.
Despite being shot into the spotlight after her footballer husband hit the big time with United when she was just a teen, Coleen is an astute businesswoman and TV personality in her own right. Coleen Rooney reportedly secured the joint highest-ever fee in the show’s history when she joined last year’s series, following her high-profile Wagatha Christie court battle with Rebekah Vardy.
The WAG was rumoured to have pocketed £1.5million, and demonstrated her value as viewers voted to keep her in until the finale. She narrowly missed out on victory to McFly’s Danny Jones, whilst Reverend Richard Coles claimed third spot.
But the savvy start made a substantial investment in the global health and wellbeing brand, Applied Nutrition. This follows her ambassadorial role for the company’s popular collagen, vitamin, and protein products earlier this year.
A strong advocate for health and wellness, Coleen is leaving her glamorous WAG life behind to focus on her new venture. Liverpool-based Applied Nutrition is renowned for its high-quality products that have gained popularity among fitness enthusiasts worldwide.
She also launched her own range in collaboration with Applied Nutrition at the start of the year. An insider close to the deal revealed: “This move showcases her ambition and determination to transcend her celebrity status. Coleen is not just a pretty face; she’s a savvy businesswoman and could be about to make waves in a booming industry.
“The partnership with Applied Nutrition is a great move for her given the phenomenal growth of the company in recent years. Having her on board is a massive win for the brand too. Her involvement has certainly captured the attention of female fitness and wellbeing fanatics. The Coleen Rooney range being launched in January is set to be in high demand. There are big plans in place – watch this space!”
Twin actors of the hit series Shameless look completely different 21 years after starring in the Channel 4 series as they pick up a Special Mention Award at the Marrakech Film Festival
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Shameless twins Luke and Elliott Tittensor look different 21 years after C4 show(Image: Getty Images)
Shameless stars Luke Tittensor and his identical twin Elliott Tittensor look worlds away from their character.
As fresh-faced child actors, identical twins Luke and Elliott fast became favourites for their joint role playing Carl Gallagher in the hit TV show. Fast-forward 21 years, and both actors look completely different as they stepped onto the red carpet at the Marrakech Film Festival, where they picked up a Special Mention Award.
Standing side by side in matching black suits, the brothers both sported hipster-style beards, leaving many to look twice before recognising them from their days starring in a host of UK TV shows. Elliott continued to play Carl Gallagher while Luke landed a role playing Daz in Emmerdale.
At the time, Luke was nominated for Best Young Actor at the Inside TV Soap Awards. Sharing a picture of themselves at the film festival, Luke captioned his post saying: “@marrakechfilmfestival you were good to us, you beauties!”
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He added: “To walk away with a ‘Special Mention Award’ alongside @etittensor was a blessing, especially from that powerhouse of a jury. Even prouder to see @o_hud take home ‘Best Director’. Get in!” He continued: “Massive thanks to @marrakechfilmfestival & @remi.bonhomme for giving us a platform to share the film and to see the amazing work of other creatives.”
Taking to the comment section of Luke’s post, one fan said: “Can’t wait to see this film. Looks amazing. Has two of the best actors available in the UK today for sure. ” Another wrote: “Congratulations, you two.” And a third said: “Soooo proud of you.”
Elliott and Luke also starred in House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones. Speaking previously on social media, the actor said he was overjoyed to have landed a role in the series.
He said: “A journey that was shared with so many beautiful people, cast & crew, who made the experience a ridiculously enjoyable one. None more than to work with my twin bro @luke_tittensor.”
He added: “Game of Thrones is the only series I’ve watched all the way through and we stand on the shoulders on giants!
“I hope we can do everyone involved in the original show & the fans proud by continuing the greatness that is George R.R. Martin’s work. Legend, the man sowing the seeds.”
He was also cast in Silent Witness, where he reprised his part as Scott Weston, which he first played in 2010. The actor has a long list of TV credits, including starring on Doctors, mini-series A Christmas Carol, and I Hate Suzie.
On the big screen, he appeared in Chasing Shadows and Moving On, and movies such as Dunkirk, Spike Island and North v South.
Dean Garnett reacted in disbelief after he suffered defeat by Baris Adiguzel in the PFL Europe bantamweight final when the referee appeared to stop the fight prematurely.
With Liverpool’s Garnett momentarily hurt after a flurry of strikes at the LDLC Arena in Lyon, referee Dan Movahedi waved off the contest after only 44 seconds as he attempted a takedown.
The 37-year-old showed his disillusionment at the decision as he reacted furiously.
“What are you doing lad?” Garnett told the official.
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“That’s not how I want to lose, I want to go out on my shield. I think the ref got well overzealous there and jumped in,” Garnett added on his Instagram after the bout.
“I felt the body shot, it was a nice shot to the body. Fair play to Baris, it’s not on him, but what was that?”
Garnett had described the bout as the biggest of his 19-fight career, both professionally and financially, before the contest.
But he will feel he was not given a fair chance by referee Movahedi to show what he can do.
Garnett was stunned by Adiguzel’s right hand to the temple, but instantly showed signs of recovery as he shot for a single-leg takedown.
The referee did not give Garnett time to complete the move, however, as he stepped in to end the fight.
“Let me fight, I’m here to work. What a joke. Thank you for all the support but that’s not how you want to go out,” said Garnett.
PFL
PFL
In the lightweight final, fellow Briton Connor Hughes also suffered defeat as he was knocked out by Latvia’s Aleksandr Chizov in the third round.
The 28-year-old Hughes was competing in the final for the second successive year after losing to Jakub Kaszuba in 2024, but he came up short once again.
After two competitive rounds which saw both fighters land sharp combinations, Chizov struck the decisive blow with a huge straight right hand.
With Hughes flat on his back, the referee stopped the contest, earning Chizov the biggest win of his 16-fight career.
