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- Man Utd in discussions to acquire £34m Kader Meite | Football News
- Michael Carrick Praises ‘Terrific’ Cole Palmer Amid Manchester United Interest
- Seven Football Fans Tragically Die in Head-On Lorry Collision in Romania
- Original Factory Shop faces potential closure of all 137 outlets | UK News
- Liverpool encouraged to pursue incredible £80m Manchester United star | Football
- Five-Star Alps Resort Evacuates Tourists Amidst Devastating Fire | News World
- 95-Year-Old Woman Bound by Impostor Window Cleaner in Robbery Bid | UK News
- F1 2026 Car Unveilings: Schedule and Viewing Details for All 11 Teams
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Man Utd in discussions to acquire £34m Kader Meite | Football News
6:00 pm
TL:DR – Man Utd in discussions to acquire £34m Kader Meite | Football News
- Manchester United in talks to sign Rennes striker Kader Meite, 18, who has scored three goals this season.
- Meite has represented France’s Under-21s, alongside notable players like Leny Yoro.
- United face competition from Al-Hilal, which had a €23 million (£19.9m) offer rejected.
- Rennes reportedly wants to keep Meite until the end of the season despite Al-Hilal’s interest in raising their bid to €40m (£34.6m).
- United have no immediate plans for a transfer before February 2.
Man Utd in talks to sign £34m Kader Meite | Football News
Kader Meite (left) has scored three goals for Rennes this season (AFP via Getty)
Manchester United have held talks over a potential deal to sign Rennes striker Kader Meite, according to reports.
The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the most promising young forwards in French football and has scored three goals for Rennes this season.
At international level, Meite has made three appearances for France’s Under-21s, playing alongside United defender Leny Yoro, Spurs forward Mathys Tel and the highly rated defender Jeremy Jacquet, who is wanted by Chelsea.
According to The Guardian, United have been monitoring Meite’s progress at Rennes and have made contact with the striker’s representatives to discuss a possible move to Old Trafford.
However, United face competition for the 6ft 4in striker as Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal have seen their €23 million (£19.9m) offer rejected this month.
Rennes have rejected an offer from Al-Hilal for Kader Meite(AFP via Getty)
Reports in France have claimed that Al-Hilal are willing to spend up to €40m (£34.6m) to sign Meite before the Saudi transfer deadline on Sunday.
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Rennes, however, are said to be refusing all offers for Meite as they want to keep the striker until at least the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Manchester World reports that United have no plans to sign Meite before the Premier League transfer window closes at 7pm on February 2.
Michael Carrick Praises ‘Terrific’ Cole Palmer Amid Manchester United Interest
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TL:DR – Michael Carrick Praises ‘Terrific’ Cole Palmer Amid Manchester United Interest
- Cole Palmer, 23, might consider leaving Chelsea for Manchester United, as he seeks proximity to his hometown of Wythenshawe.
- Palmer, a United fan, would not return to Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
- Michael Carrick, an admirer of Palmer, is currently managing United but may not influence summer transfers.
- Chelsea’s boss, Liam Rosenior, denies claims of Palmer’s discontent, affirming his happiness and status at the club.
What Michael Carrick has said about ‘terrific’ Cole Palmer amid Man Utd interest | Football
Reports claim Palmer is open to joining United (Picture: Getty)
Cole Palmer would consider leaving Chelsea for Manchester United – with Michael Carrick a long-time admirer of the England international.
Palmer, 23, left Manchester City to join the Blues two-and-a-half years ago but recent reports have suggested he is unsettled in west London.
The attacking midfielder would reportedly consider a move to be closer to his hometown of Wythenshawe and while he would not be willing to head back to City while Pep Guardiola is in charge, the boyhood United fan would be interested in a move to Old Trafford.
It would likely take a colossal fee to prise Palmer away from Stamford Bridge with United’s own priorities this summer surely lying elsewhere with a rebuild in midfield long overdue.
Unless he does enough to convince United’s hierarchy he deserves the full-time gig, Carrick has been placed in charge until the end of the season and is likely to have no influence over the club’s summer transfer plans.
But the former midfielder is already a huge fan of the Chelsea star.
Their paths crossed in a Carabao Cup semi-final match between Chelsea and Middlesbrough in January 2024 with Palmer scoring twice in a 6-1 win.
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Palmer reportedly unsettled at Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Having spoken to the Chelsea star after the game, Carrick said: ‘He’s a nice lad and down-to-earth. You can see from watching him and playing against him with the quality that he has got.
‘It is not nice when you are on the other end of it but you can appreciate and respect how good he is. He will have a terrific career.’
Does Palmer want to leave Chelsea? ‘It’s not true’
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior meanwhile insists Palmer has shown no signs of being unhappy with life at the club.
Asked whether Palmer was both ‘untouchable’ and ‘happy’ at Chelsea, Rosenior replied: ‘Yes and yes.
‘It’s simple. Cole is an incredible player, like the guy sat next to me [Moises Caicedo] and many players in the group.
‘I’m not surprised at the timing [of the speculation] – a new manager comes in and all of a sudden there are people unsettled. It’s not true.’
The former Strasbourg head coach added: ‘Cole is here, he’s very happy and I can’t wait to see him back on the pitch.’
Seven Football Fans Tragically Die in Head-On Lorry Collision in Romania
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TL:DR – Seven Football Fans Tragically Die in Head-On Lorry Collision in Romania
- Seven Greek PAOK football fans died in a minibus crash en route to a Europa League match in France.
- The accident occurred on the E70 highway in Romania, after a head-on collision with a lorry.
- Three fans sustained serious injuries while the club’s president called it “an unspeakable tragedy.”
- Greek Prime Minister expressed condolences and hopes for quick recovery of the injured.
- A tribute event is planned at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, following the tragic incident.
Seven football fans killed in head-on crash with lorry in Romania while going to a game | News World
The minivan collided with the red-cabbed lorry (Picture: via REUTERS)
Seven Greek football fans died in a minibus crash while on their way to France to watch their team play a Europa League match.
A group of 10 supporters for the club PAOK, based in Thessaloniki in northern Greece, were in a vehicle when it collided head-on with a lorry in Romania at around 1pm on Tuesday.
Three of the fans, who were travelling to see their team play Olympique Lyonnais, were left seriously injured in the crash.
The club’s president Ivan Savvidis called it ‘an unspeakable tragedy’ as they sent representatives to Romania to provide support to the injured.
He added: ‘I am devastated by the unjust loss of young people, fans of our beloved team, who traveled to stand by our PAOK. I mourn with the families and millions of our compatriots. May God rest their souls.
‘These children, the children of PAOK, are our children, they are members of a big family. And we do everything for our family and we don’t leave anyone alone.
‘My thoughts are with their loved ones. I pray that everything goes well for those who were injured and are fighting a critical battle in these hours.’
The crash happened in western Romania (Picture: via REUTERS)
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was ‘deeply shaken’ and extended his ‘sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and to the PAOK community’.
He added: ‘We all share the hope that the injured will recover quickly. Our thoughts are with them.’
The crash occurred on the E70 highway in western Romania, between the towns of Caransebes and Lugojel.
Romanian authorities are investigating the incident, with Greek officials heading to the scene from Bucharest, which is seven hours away.
PAOK are third in the Greek Super League and 12th in the Europa League’s league phase.
Hundreds of supporters flocked to the club’s Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki to lay candles and scarves.
Coaches, players and club officials were also seen paying their respects to the victims of the crash.
Candles lit by supporters of Greek soccer club PAOK, in memory of their fellow supporters who died in a road accident in Romania (Picture: REUTERS)
PAOK posted a heartbreaking statement on their social media bidding ‘farewell to our children’.
It read: ‘Time stops. It freezes. Words run dry. Pain pierces through body and mind. Tears stream from the eyes. Grief overwhelms you, brings you to your knees, shatters you.
‘Another black day. Another unspeakable tragedy for the PAOK family. Farewell to our children, whose love for those four letters took them far away. That love for PAOK carried them there, left them there and moved on further, but their souls will forever rest under the wings of the Double-Headed Eagle.
‘Our deepest condolences to the families of these children. In their unbearable pain, they will not be alone. The great PAOK family will always stand beside them to ease this pain as much as possible.
‘Our thoughts are also with the injured, who are fighting their own battle. We will do everything possible so they receive the best medical care available, we will make sure they return home as quickly as possible, we will always be by their side.
‘One wish only… Never again…’
PAOK has paid tribute to their fans in a harrowing social media post (Picture: Sakis Mitrolidis / AFP via Getty Images)
The team’s game against Lyon is still scheduled to go ahead, according to the Greek City Times.
The governing body did issue a statement, which said they were ‘standing with the PAOK family in times of grief’.
‘Sincere condolences to everyone affected by this tragic accident,’ UEFA added.
A tribute will be held at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, the French side has confirmed.
Original Factory Shop faces potential closure of all 137 outlets | UK News
3:00 pm
TL:DR – Original Factory Shop faces potential closure of all 137 outlets | UK News
- The Original Factory Shop has entered administration, risking 137 stores and 1,180 jobs.
- Modella Capital, its owner, may appoint administrators imminently.
- The retailer has faced ongoing financial struggles and was on the verge of collapse before Modella’s acquisition last year.
- Modella also reported the collapse of Claire’s on the same day.
High street discount chain Original Factory shop could close all 137 stores | News UK
The Original Factory Shop may vanish from the UK high street for good.
The discount retailer announced today that it has entered administration, putting 137 stores and 1,180 staff at risk.
Modella Capital, which owns The Original Factory Shop, may phone in administrators as soon as this afternoon, according to Sky News.
The business was already on the brink of collapse when Modella bought it last year. Modella had already stripped the company of its assets, similar to Claire’s.
Modella also announced on Monday that Claire’s had gone bust.
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Who is Modella Capital?
Investment firm that also bought WH Smith’s high street business has reputation for rapid and hard-nosed restructuring and stripping assets.
Modella takes out secured loans against a companies assets and then guarantees itself payment. Thus, is becomes one of the lead secured lenders in line to benefit from the any administrator’s sale.
This is what Modella did with Claire’s UK; Used it’s assets as security against a loan understood to be worth about £7.5m against the retail chain’s assets such as stores and stock, while some suppliers are likely to lose out.
Modella is part of the Hay Wain group controlled by the former Touche Ross and RJP accountant and turnaround expert Jamie Constable, who co-founded the investment firm Rcapital in 2004. Hay Wain group is loan shark in overpriced suit, based on Bond street.
Liverpool encouraged to pursue incredible £80m Manchester United star | Football
1:00 pm
TL:DR – Liverpool encouraged to pursue incredible £80m Manchester United star
- Didi Hamann suggests Liverpool should consider signing Harry Maguire on a free transfer next summer.
- Liverpool aims to strengthen their defence, especially as Ibrahimi Konate’s contract is set to expire.
- Hamann notes Maguire’s recent impressive performances and believes he could bolster Liverpool’s options amidst current injuries.
- Other potential targets include Mickey van de Ven and Nico Schlotterbeck for defensive reinforcements.
Liverpool urged to make stunning transfer move for £80m Man Utd star
Liverpool have been urged to consider signing Manchester United defender Harry Maguire on a free transfer next summer by former Reds midfielder Didi Hamann.
Liverpool are expected to bolster their defensive options at the end of the season, especially with Ibrahimi Konate’s contract set to expire in the summer.
The Reds looked set to bring in Marc Guehi last summer, but saw that deal scuppered on deadline day before the Crystal Palace captain joined Manchester City earlier this month.
Even if Konate signs a new deal, Liverpool will surely dip into the market to provide more defensive cover for Arne Slot, who is woefully short of options at present after injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez.
And former Reds midfielder Hamann reckons the club would be wise to consider a budget-friendly move for Maguire, who is currently set to leave United when his contract expires this summer.
Maguire has impressed over the last fortnight, having returned to the fold under interim head coach Michael Carrick, and Hamann reckons the Englishman could provide some much-needed depth for United’s arch-rivals.
‘You’ve got to give it to Harry Maguire because he got so much stick in the last few years and he always comes back,’ Hamann told CasinoBeats.
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‘If he’s available on a free then obviously have to think about it because I think what Liverpool need is more depth at the back.’
Asked about Maguire’s contract situation before last weekend’s win over Arsenal, Carrick said: ‘I think it’s just coming into that time of the season really, with contracts and, obviously, January is January and the window, so I’m kind of working my way through that and coming towards the end of the season, in terms of contracts and decisions.
‘That will obviously be taken and discussed in good time really, and at the right time.’
Hamann namechecks a few different defenders, but do they fit the LFC style?
Elsewhere, Hamann namechecked Mickey van de Ven and Nico Schlotterbeck as two other centre-backs Liverpool should target to partner Virgil van Dijk next season.
‘Mickey van de Ven is doing really well for Spurs and there’s a player at Dortmund, Nico Schlotterbeck,’ he added.
‘He’s in talks with the club on whether he’s going to extend his contract.
‘Schlotterbeck has really taken on a leading role at Dortmund in the last 18 months. He is probably our best centre-back in the national team. He’ll certainly play at the World Cup for Germany.
‘He’d be a player. He’s got one year left on the contract. I’m sure that Liverpool inquired about him. He wouldn’t be the worst choice. He’s a left-footed player as well.’
Reports have already suggested that Liverpool are ‘developing a keen interest’ in Van de Ven, who has been one of few bright sparks for Tottenham under Thomas Frank this season.
But the north London club are said to be holding out for a record £100million fee for the Dutch defender, who is under contract at Spurs until 2029.
Asked about interest in Van de Ven last week, Frank said: ‘He’s definitely a player we should prioritise. Micky is a key player for this team and this club and hopefully for many years to come.
‘He has what it takes to be an even better player and I’ve no doubt he can help us to get us to where we want to be in the future.’
Five-Star Alps Resort Evacuates Tourists Amidst Devastating Fire | News World
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TL:DR – Five-Star Alps Resort Evacuates Tourists Amidst Devastating Fire | News World
- A fire broke out at the five-star Grandes Alpes hotel in Courchevel, damaging the building.
- Approximately 300 people were evacuated from the hotel and adjacent Lana Hotel.
- Over 100 firefighters are working to control the blaze, complicated by the building’s structure.
- Some firefighters sustained minor injuries; an investigation into the fire’s cause is underway.
- Courchevel 1850 is known for its high-profile guests and luxury accommodations.
Tourists evacuated after fire rips through five star resort in the Alps | News World
A fire rages at the Denali restaurant located next to the five-star Grandes Alpes hotel in the upscale French Alpine ski resort of Courchevel (Picture: AFP)
Fire at a Five-Star Hotel
A five-star hotel where rooms go for up to £11,000 a night has been damaged in a fire. The fire broke out at the Grandes Alpes hotel in Courchevel 1850 at around 7pm yesterday. Around 100 people had to be evacuated from the building to a municipal hall along with another 200 people who had been staying at the neighbouring Lana Hotel.
An emergency services spokesman said the fire was still being contained this morning after it spread quickly through woodwork.
Rapid Spread of Flames
Bruno Charlot, the sub-prefect in nearby Albertville, said: “The Grandes Alpes guests were quickly relocated to other hotels in the resort. The fire spread considerably overnight, despite the firefighters’ efforts. Their work is complicated by the roof’s structure.”
Firefighters’ Ongoing Struggles
More than a hundred firefighters were still working on January 28 morning to bring under control the violent fire (Picture: AFP). “It’s very difficult to reach the flames that are running under a roof made of slate and sheet metal,” said a spokesman.
“It requires removing the stones and sawing through the sheets before anyone can even access the fire. A thick layer of snow on the roof only makes matters worse. It will be hours before the fire is extinguished.”
Some of the firefighters suffered minor injuries and an investigation is underway. The hotel is comprised of nine apartments of varying sizes and provides a butler service, Michelin-starred restaurants, a swimming pool, and sauna.
Courchevel 1850 is one of the most exclusive resorts in the Alps, attracting the likes of the Beckhams, Robbie Williams, and Ian Botham.
A History of High-Profile Guests
It has also hosted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who, in 2016, arrived on a private jet believed to have been provided by the Duke of Westminster.
Prince William skis down a boarder cross ski run in the French Ski Resort of Courchevel in 2010 (Picture: EU NEWS)
Comparative Incidents in Alpine Resorts
The latest Alpine ski resort fire follows the devastating blaze in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on New Year’s Day, when 40 people died and 116 were severely burned at the Constellation bar in the town.
The bar’s owners, Jacques and Jessica Moretti, are currently under criminal investigation for manslaughter by negligence, following claims that sparklers attached to champagne bottles ignited soundproofing foam in the basement ceiling. The Morretis, who are French, deny any wrongdoing, as the investigation continues.
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