FORMER Arsenal academy starlet Mika Biereth has scored hat-tricks in back-to-back home games for AS Monaco.

The striker, 22, was allowed to leave the Gunners to join Sturm Graz for just £4million last summer.

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Mika Biereth scores against Nantes for AS Monaco[/caption]

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The Swede has impressed since moving to France[/caption]

After excelling in Austria, Biereth signed for Monaco last month in a deal worth up to £12.5m.

While Arsenal have struggled with an injury crisis among their forward players of late, Biereth has excelled since moving to France.

The Swede continued his rich vein of form this afternoon by bagging a brilliant hat-trick against Nantes.

Biereth’s treble helped his side on their way to a 7-1 demolition of Les Canaris at Stade Louis II.

The hat-trick made it seven goals in seven games for his new side, with Biereth having also netted in his previous two home outings.

He scored his first goal for his new side in a 3-2 win over Rennes on January 25.

The 6ft 2in forward then added a hat-trick in a 4-2 triumph over Auxerre.

Biereth is now team-mates with fellow former Arsenal academy graduate Folarin Balogun.

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Biereth, 22, was allowed to leave Arsenal last summer[/caption]

But the US international, 23, has been sidelined for much of this season with a shoulder injury.

Biereth never made a first team appearance for Arsenal.

He made a Premier League matchday squad just once, for a 0-0 draw with Burnley in January 2022.

During his time at Arsenal he spent loan spells at RKC Waalwijk, Motherwell and Sturm Graz.

Seeing his latest goalscoring exploits for Monaco, several Gunners supporters ranted about his sale on social media.

One fumed: “2021… Edu Gaspar I will never forgive you for selling Mika Biereth.. he should have been Arsenal’s main striker.”

While a second claimed: “We could have given Mika Biereth a chance.”

Another added: “Another day to lament about the selling of Mika Biereth. Many of us knew he was class.”

Arsenal are currently without Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli.

Mikel Merino rose from the bench as a makeshift centre forward to net a double in the Gunners’ 2-0 win over Leicester earlier today.

https://twitter.com/Ligue1_ENG/status/1886192877115699652

SHE’S a hot favourite to walk off with the Best Actress BAFTA this evening – but win or lose, Irish star Saoirse Ronan has never been happier.

As she takes to the red carpet tonight for the 78th EE British Academy Film Awards – AKA the BAFTAs – there are few who would argue that Saoirse Ronan doesn’t deserve her place there.

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AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

The low-key Irish star – who recently hit the headlines after clashing with male guests on The Graham Norton Show (more on that later) – has more nominations and awards to her name than any other actress her age, having worked continuously since childhood on a string of acclaimed movies.

Saoirse, now 30, made her film debut in Amy Heckerling’s romantic comedy I Could Never Be Your Woman, released in 2007, but it was her portrayal of Briony Tallis in Atonement that same year that really got her noticed, earning her BAFTA and Oscar nominations at the tender age of 13.

She now has seven BAFTA nods and four Academy Award nominations, as well as one Golden Globe win for Best Actress In A Musical Or Comedy with Lady Bird, making her one of the standout actresses of her generation.

Yet Saoirse has always preferred to fly under the radar.

‘It was obvious to everyone that she was a star – even at the age of 10’

Born in The Bronx, New York City, in 1994 to Irish parents Monica and Paul Ronan, Saoirse moved back to Ireland aged three, with the family settling in rural village Ardattin in County Carlow.

As a child, she attended Ardattin National School for a time, but was largely homeschooled.

The fact she taught herself to act is probably no surprise, given that her father Paul is an actor who most famously starred in BBC1’s Ballykissangel, as well as had roles in movies The Devil’s Own with Brad Pitt and Veronica Guerin with Cate Blanchett.

Saoirse’s parents played an active role in her career from the start, with her mother accompanying her on set when she was a child.

She is incredibly close to her mum and dad, and previously said of her mother: “We’ve always been very, very close, but when I moved away to London, where I lived for a year and a half, I remember feeling so homesick.

“I always need to talk to her, but she really helped me through it and helped me to get the courage to keep going with it.”

She added that her mum is her “best friend”.

Meanwhile, dad Paul recalled on The Late Late Show in 2010 how he realised his daughter had talent at a young age.

“From the age of two, I spotted something in her.

“She was an amazing kid, very friendly and sociable.

“More so than any kid I have seen.

“Eventually, when she was seven or eight, I put her in a short film I was doing.

“They needed a kid and I said: ‘I’ve got one.’”

Just a few years later, she starred alongside her dad in RTÉ series The Clinic, and the following year bagged a role on mini-series Proof.

London-based Irish director Thaddeus O’Sullivan, who worked with Saoirse on Proof when she was just 10 years old, knew she was special even then.

“She struck me, the way she strikes me now, as very gentle, self-assured and highly intelligent,” he says.

“It was obvious to everyone really that she was a star, that she had something exceptional.”

Thaddeus found her easy to work with, as she instinctively knew what was being asked of her.

“The one thing you worry about when directing young people or children is whether or not they’ll get [the character].

“You can’t go into some great big character analysis, or break down dialogue, so you’re relying on something instinctive, and Saoirse had it.”

Part of the reason for her success, he believes, is her choice of roles.

“She’s quite careful about the parts she opts for and she takes them, not for their potential to win awards, but because she feels strongly about them and is invested in them creatively,” T­­­­­haddeus says.

Saoirse has starred in a string of high-profile movies, including The Lovely Bones (2009), Hanna (2011), The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), Mary Queen Of Scots (2018), Little Women (2019), Ammonite (2020), See How They Run (2022), The Outrun – for which she received her Best Actress In A Leading Role BAFTA nomination this year – and, most recently, Blitz (2024).

Most would agree that no matter what the role, Saoirse’s standard of acting is always incredible.

‘More often than not, Saoirse’s the most intelligent person in the room’

She’s also known for her ability to mimic accents.

“I think it’s a very Irish thing to do accents,” she said in a 2018 interview.

“When you’re telling a story, you just naturally go into the character’s accent.

“I had grown up with Mam and Dad doing that an awful lot.”

Despite all of her success, however, Saoirse remains grounded.

“I believe she hasn’t let fame go to her head. She seems very comfortable in that [film] environment,” adds Thaddeus.

It’s all the more impressive, given that she’s grown up in the public eye, which for others would be a daunting prospect.

Perhaps it’s because she has been acting for so long that her closest mates are all actors.

Her best friend is Irish actress Eileen O’Higgins, whom she met while filming Brooklyn in 2014.

Phillip Massey/WireImage

Alamy/Sony Pictures Classics/Courtesy Everett Collection

In a 2019 interview, Eileen said: “It’s not that different to [other friendships].

“We are just best mates and we do everything the exact same as everybody else would.

“We order takeaways and go on adventures.

“It’s very ordinary and boring.

“I love working with Saoirse because she is one of the most talented people I have ever worked with.

“You can see that from her work ethic and how sensational she is.

“She has the most incredible instincts and she is incredibly generous as a performer.

“She makes other people better in response to her.

“You learn a lot.”

Saoirse and Timothée Chalamet also became close when working together on Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird and again on Little Women, where they starred as best friends.

And Paul Mescal is another actor with whom she’s bonded.

The two knew each other in passing, but met properly while playing a young couple on the set of Foe, which was released in 2023.

They were pictured last summer at Glastonbury together.

“We have become very, very close since making the film. We’re genuine friends, we’re not Hollywood friends,” she’s said of their relationship.

She was also with the Gladiator II star when she inadvertently became something of feminist icon, during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show last October, alongside actors Eddie Redmayne and Denzel Washington.

Eddie had been discussing how he was trained to use his phone as a weapon for his role in The Day Of The Jackal, when Paul laughingly questioned how anyone would have time to think about getting their phone out if they were about to be attacked.

Quick as a whip, Saoirse interjected: “That’s what girls have to think about all the time. Am I right, ladies?” – instantly silencing all four men.

Commenting on her remark afterwards, Paul said he wasn’t surprised at the reaction because it’s “massively important”, adding that Saoirse is “quite often, more often than not, the most intelligent person in the room.”

She’s also fiercely guarded about her private life and, despite her high profile, retains an air of mystery.

Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images

Alamy

“Saoirse has always had an element of aloofness about her,” said an industry professional who has worked with the Irish film star in the past.

“It gives her an edge.

“She is also very much her own person and, with age, has become increasingly confident.

“The Saoirse we are seeing now is the grown-up version of the young actress she used to be.”

Perhaps because of this aloof quality, the most we have seen of her off-screen vulnerability is when talking about The Outrun, a film that chronicles the recovery of a young alcoholic.

Speaking about the part, Saoirse admitted to having close experience with alcoholism herself.

“One of the main reasons I wanted to do this was because I’d seen people I love be affected by [alcohol abuse].

“When you’re on the receiving end of it, there’s so much hurt and confusion and anger and pain, and all these things because you can’t kind of make sense about why someone would do this to themselves and to you.”

These days, the actress lives in London with her husband – Scottish actor Jack Lowden, 34 – who she met on the set of Mary Queen Of Scots in 2018.

The couple married in secret last July in Edinburgh, with only a handful of people in attendance.

‘I’d seen people I love be affected by alcohol abuse’

Commenting on her husband, who co-produced The Outrun with her, she made references to their deep trust, saying: “When you have a personal relationship with someone and you’re also in the same field, and you respect one another and you’ve got the same taste, and you expect the best from yourself, to have that other person there pushing you, but also believing in you, is great.”

They are often seen out walking in London with her beloved dog Fran, a mix of Westie terrier and golden retriever, and friends say she’s never been happier.

“I think Jack is really good for her,” said one.

“They’re similar in that they’re both passionate about what they do and clearly have a mutual respect for each other’s ability.

“But they also complement each other.

“It can’t have been easy growing up in the public eye, but I think Saoirse is in a really good place in her life right now, both professionally and romantically.

“She seems content and it’s lovely to see that.”

Despite her fame, Saoirse remains refreshingly proud of her working-class roots, and indeed the fact that she’s Irish.

She once said in answer to a question about her background: “I don’t know where I am from.

“I am just Irish.”

Even with all of her achievements, it’s clear she has much more to do.

Whether she wins a BAFTA tonight or not, it will surely not halt her dizzying trajectory.

• Watch the BAFTAs tonight, 7pm, BBC1.

TERRIFIED pop star Max George has revealed he had to undergo a secret SECOND heart op after his pacemaker wires were inserted too deeply.

The Wanted singer was left in agony for weeks after going under the knife in emergency treatment for his heart condition.

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Chart star Max George is on the road to recovery[/caption]

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Max with ex-soap actor girlfriend Maisie[/caption]

He was also warned by doctors that he might never sing again, as he underwent a lung biopsy days later to investigate his health scare.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun on Sunday, he revealed: “I thought I was on the road to recovery but when I was told I needed a second operation I was nervous, as pulling the pacemaker wires out of the heart wall risks bleeding on the heart.

“I didn’t have a choice, though. I had to have it done.”

The drama came after Max, 36, was admitted to A&E last December and feared he was going to die in hospital before having the pacemaker fitted.

Max is still hoping to perform with The Wanted 2.0 co-star Siva Kanes-waran later this year, and has a planned The War Of The Worlds — The Spirit Of Man theatre tour with girlfriend Maisie.

But his health has thrown all this into doubt and he is liaising with doctors to see if he can recover.

‘Chest was shaking’

In an exclusive interview with The Sun on Sunday at his Manchester home, Max said: “I was trying to get back to good health but was still having a flickering sensation for weeks after I had my pacemaker fitted and it was gradually getting worse and worse.

“When my heart rate went up, it was causing a shock in my heart which was making me jump all the time. My chest was shaking.”

After several visits to the hospital, it was only when a representative from Max’s pacemaker company Medtronic was visiting the ward by chance, that they were able to get to the bottom of his discomfort.

He was booked in for his second operation straight away, on January 15, but was warned that the rare situation could cause a dangerous bleed on his heart.

He said: “The night before, I was really nervous, I didn’t sleep much.

“I was worried it could go wrong again and felt anxious that it could bleed out.”

Max was joined at the hospital by his actress girlfriend Maisie Smith, and mum Babs, and was ­conscious but heavily sedated throughout the two-hour procedure.

He found listening to his favourite band, Oasis, helped him stay calm.

Max said: “They wouldn’t let me listen to music the first time, when I had the pacemaker fitted.” But he said of tuning in for the second op:

“Slide Away started to play and I tried to take myself into my own world. Obviously an operation is a scary thing, but the music really helped and the nurse was reassuring.

“Afterwards I was just pleased it had gone successfully.”

Max previously told The Sun how he thought of his former TWanted bandmate Tom Parker, who died in 2022 age 33 from a brain tumour, during his medical treatment.

And the surgeon managed to pro-tect the chest tattoo he has in memory of Tom, showing his late pal’s birth date.

But just two days after the op, Max was back in hospital to have his lungs biopsied after doctors found enlarged lymph nodes, risking dam-aging his vocal cords for good.

He said: “The doctor did warn me there is a small chance that I could lose my voice. That was pretty worrying, but I decided I needed to take the risk. The biopsy was pretty gnarly, it’s a camera with prongs on the end that goes down your throat. It was painful. The recovery was tough, I had chest pain and was coughing up blood for five days.”

Fortunately Max has been given the all-clear and is now focusing on getting fit again.

The Sun

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From left, Wanted’s Jay, Nathan, Tom and Siva in 2021, the year before Tom’s death[/caption]

PA

He said: “The worst part for me is seeing my parents go through this. My mum has found it traumatic. I’ve tried to hold back from being upset in front of them. I feel helpless and responsible.”

But his TV star girlfriend, who was in panto 250 miles away in Kent for his first health ordeal in December, has been putting a smile on his face.

Max met Maisie — who played Tiffany in EastEnders — when they took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2020.

They have since moved in together and share a house in Manchester with their pet bulldog Albert — who Max said he “really missed” while in hospital.

Been a great nurse

He said: “It’s been lovely to have Maisie here with me at home. She got me an Apple watch for Christ-mas so I can monitor my heart rate. She’s been a great nurse and is very affectionate.

“Recovery has been a slow process, I’m trying to increase my walking every day — taking my dog Albert out and doing an hour on the treadmill daily.

“I was really fit before this all ­happened and now I’m the least fit I’ve ever been.”

Max has been sober for almost five years but has nevertheless considered going for a pint with his dad Mark at the pub because he feels “life is too short”.

He said: “It plays on my mind, why this happened to me.

“I had a full heart scan a year before for a TV show I was doing and it was fine — so it doesn’t make sense.

The worst part for me is seeing my parents go through this. My mum has found it traumatic. I’ve tried to hold back from being upset in front of them. I feel helpless and responsible

Max George

“I don’t drink alcohol and I don’t smoke, so it’s mind-boggling.

“It’s been four and a half years since I last drank alcohol — it was life changing for me, it just suited me better.

“Don’t get me wrong, sometimes when I’m down the pub watching football I am absolutely gasping for a pint, but I think it’s become a way of life now.

“Since this happened, though, I have thought, ’As long as I am balanced there is nothing wrong with me having a couple of pints of Guinness now and again.

“I have said to my dad that when I’m better we should go to the pub — I think I’ve earned it.”

MARCUS RASHFORD has not given up hope on his dream move to Spain — despite Barcelona sporting director Deco saying this week the giants were not ‘desperate’ to sign him.

Rashford made a deadline-day loan move from Manchester United to Aston Villa in search of regular football when boss Ruben Amorim left him out in the cold after a bust-up.

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Marcus Rashford still dreams of Barcelona despite his Aston Villa loan move[/caption]

The 27-year-old said he expected to leave his boyhood club after being dropped from the squad in December for the Manchester derby.

His brothers — who act as his agents — held talks with several European clubs including Barca.

But the Catalans failed to push for a deal, leaving Rash to join Villa for the rest of the season.

Deco said: “It’s true there was talk of Rashford — but we weren’t desperately looking for a player either.”

In his welcome interview with the club, Rashford said he was excited by the prospect of playing football again.

But he also made clear he did not see his long-term future in the Midlands.

That’s despite Villa having a £40million option to buy the player at the end of the loan deal.

Rashford said: “Obviously it’s only short term that I’m here but I want to make the most of my time here.

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“And the only way to do that is by using my attributes and skill sets to help the team”.

Yesterday, against Ipswich, Rashford crashed a free-kick off the bar that was turned in by Ollie Watkins to earn a 1-1 draw.

A source told The Sun on Sunday he still hopes to go to the Nou Camp.

They said: “Marcus is confident that if he rediscovers his form at Villa Park and starts bagging goals, Barcelona will revive their interest, especially as a transfer price has been established.

“It’s a huge incentive for him, which is good news for Villa.

“Now he just needs to get playing and start scoring.”

MOULD in your home can lead to a whole range of problems, including health issues if it’s not dealt with fast.

However, there’s a simple hack that will stop it from ever forming in the first place – and the best part is it won’t cost you a penny.

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Drying clothes on radiators can make mould issues worse[/caption]

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According to data from MyBuilder.com, 24% Brits have seen higher levels of mould than in previous years.

But fear not, a little-known German method could be the faff-free solution you’ve been looking for.

The technique, which translated to ‘shock ventilation’ basically means you open your windows a few times per day, but only for a short spurt of time.

This might not sound ideal in the current cold weather, but doing to several times for a few minutes can make all the difference when it comes to mould forming.

This is because mould mostly forms in damp environments, so keeping windows closed forms the perfect climate for mould to thrive, especially if you’re drying clothes or have a lot of people in each room.

Proper ventilation is the key to stopping mould in it’s tracks, which is why this German method could be the answer you’ve been looking for.

It’s the best of both worlds because you don’t have to keep your windows open for long periods of time, which might result in all the heat escaping your home, but you still get to let in enough fresh air to ventilate the space.

Of course, there are a few other simple hack to keep mould at bay too.

1. Get cleaning

Although most of us tend to associate mould with black dots scattered all over the walls, sometimes it can be right under your feet – quite literally.

“Carpets are extremely porous, meaning if they get wet, they’re likely to hold the water – which will create the perfect environment for mould to grow,” warned Radiator expert Nancy Emery.

To prevent a build-up, the guru noted that ”it’s crucial to invest in high quality carpet padding which has antimicrobial properties”.

Although it’s more on the expensive side, it will be a worthwhile investment in the long run – and don’t forget to regularly vacuum or get the carpets professionally cleaned every now and then.

2. Prevent condensation on windows

Condensation is another common issue for Brits during the colder months – and it can lead to mould.

While it can definitely be tempting to sleep with your windows closed, according to the pro keeping your bedroom windows slightly ajar is a great way to reduce the humidity.

3. Position furniture carefully

Another must-do on the list includes ensuring there is enough room for air to flow freely between the external wall and furnishings, the expert noted.

Simply by positioning your furniture away from external walls you can greatly reduce the amount of condensation and risk of dampness.

4. Invest in a dehumidifier

By now, you’ve probably heard about dehumidifiers at least dozens of times – and rightly so, as these nifty devices are a game-changer during the cold season.

Available on Amazon, Home Bargains and other stores, these handy gadgets work by removing the water from the air.

”This means that there is no air moisture to condense on surfaces around the home, impeding the growth of dampness and mould around the home,” explained the guru.

5. Don’t dry clothes on a radiator

Chucking your washing on radiators might seem a quick fix for those without a tumble dryer – but using radiators to dry laundry causes a number of issues – including mould and damp.

”The problem with drying clothes on radiators is that it leads to higher amounts of condensation due to the lack of airflow from having your radiators covered, which leaves moisture lingering in your rooms – and that’s when the issues start to arise,” Nancy warned.

But if you must dry your soaking wet jeans on a radiator, make sure the windows are open to let the air flow, she added.

THE Masked Singer has crowned its latest winner with Pufferfish being unmasked as a major theatre star.

Fans of the ITV guessing game were left stunned when it was confirmed that Pufferfish was in fact the West End’s leading lady, Samantha Barks.

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Pufferfish has WON The Masked Singer and their identity has finally been unmasked[/caption]

They beat off competition from Dressed Crab and Wolf who were also revealed to be major stars.

The show’s panel – Davina McCall, Jonathan Ross, Maya Jama and guest judge Danny Jones – were left in awe when Samantha took off their mask to finally confirm their identity.

Speaking after she was unmasked, the star said to the panel: “I’ve had the best time, I’ve had the best time. Underneath the mask I’ve been smiling the whole time.”

Samantha, 34, rose to fame in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC talent show I’d Do Anything.

The programme searched for an actress to play Nancy in a revival of Oliver!

She made her film debut in the 2012 adaptation of Les Miserables, starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway.

More recently, she has become the biggest West End star since Elaine Page and is famed for playing Elsa in the theatre production of Frozen.

Finishing a close runner-up to Samantha was Dressed Crab who turned out to be soul and jazz star Gregory Porter.

The 53-year-old has specifically twice won the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album – in 2014 and 2017.

In addition, the musician is also known for his recognisable newsboy-style cap.

Wolf fell at the final hurdle and was revealed to have finished in 3rd place in the contest.

It was soon revealed to be iconic 80s singer Marti Pellow.

The singer rose to fame thanks to being the frontman of Wet Wet Wet.

In tonight’s final, the top three all undertook a duet with a past Masked Singer favourite who all made a comeback to the show.

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West End star Samantha Barks was confirmed to be under the mask and the winner of the show[/caption]

Claire Richards from Steps was back as Knitting and last year’s champion Danny Jones returned as Piranha for extra special duets.

And US singer Keala Settle from The Greatest Showman even made a shock comeback as Air Fryer – much to the delight of the panel.

However, one person who failed to appear on the show was judge Mo Gilligan.

The comedian was missing for the second week running with his absence left unaddressed by his co-stars.

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Dressed Crab finished in second place[/caption]

The Mega Agency

Gregory Porter was confirmed to be Dressed Crab[/caption]

Last year’s winner, Danny Jones, instead filled in for him and took his place on the panel.

Pufferfish, Dressed Crab and Wolf had all managed to make it to the final after beating off tough competition from stars such as Andrea Corr, Example, Natalie Cassidy and Macy Gray.

One of this series’ most notable moments came in the form of US singer Macy storming off the stage after being forced to unmask herself after just three weeks in the competition.

Macy initially refused to take off her mask and had a backstage meltdown lasting over an hour before finally being persuaded to return to the stage.

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Wolf finished in 3rd place on the show[/caption]

BAYERN MUNCH medics rushed to Harry Kane’s aid after a head clash with Piero Hincapie.

The England captain started up front against Bayer Leverkusen but he collided with defender Hincapie after a free kick.

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Harry Kane collided with Piero Hincapie[/caption]

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Kane was seen to by medics[/caption]

Kane appeared to suffer a neck injury after coming down as medics rushed on the pitch to his aid.

And fans were left unimpressed after Hincapie appeared to have words with a downed Kane.

One said: “Did Hincapie just give Kane lip while he was on the ground after giving him whiplash for what was flagged to be offside even though he clearly looked to be on? Jeeze.”

Another fumed: “Really bad challenge.”

A third raged: “That player was reckless.”

Hincapie escaped any punishment as the game ended 0-0 with Kane staying on the field.

It means Leverkusen still trail league leaders Bayern by seven points after failing to close the gap.

Kane recently refused to deny he has a release clause in his Bayern deal that could signal a sensational Premier League return.

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The Tottenham legend  joined the Bundesliga giants in August 2023 for £104million.

Reports in Germany claim there is a buy-out option of £54million in the striker’s contract that he can activate in January 2026.

The clause could have allegedly been met during the recent winter transfer window for the higher fee of £67million.

Asked about the situation, Kane, 31, said: “What I can say is that I’m very happy at FC Bayern. No comment on the clause.”

ENGLAND’S top stars have been promised a jackpot following The Hundred’s big sell-off.

Players such as Test captain Ben Stokes and white-ball skipper Jos Buttler will rake in vastly increased salaries playing in the tournament.

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Todd Boehly is an investor in The Hundred[/caption]

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NFL legend Tom Brady owns a stake in Birmingham Phoenix[/caption]

The auction of the eight franchises will bring around £560million into cricket with money split between the 18 counties, MCC and the grassroots game.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady are among the investors.

And ECB chief executive Richard Gould says players’ wages will soar from 2026 when the new investors get properly involved.

The top salary bracket in The Hundred rises from £125,000 to £200,000 in 2025, which still pales in comparison to the riches of the IPL, where players can become instant millionaires.

From 2026, the top Hundred figure is likely to reach £300,000 with further increases after that.

The new backers of the eight city-based Hundred teams — including four IPL owners as well as American consortiums featuring Boehly and Brady — will raise pay to  lure the best global stars.

Gould said: “We need to make sure The Hundred attracts the very best players.

“We know that players’ salaries will increase significantly in future years.

“That is going to happen. We will make sure we are the leaders in the global market during the English summer.

“Attracting the best players will make sure we have all the best English players — men and women — playing in our competition.

“They will be paid the top market rate.”

Buying teams that are just four years old, the mega-rich have grabbed a slice of historic venues such as Lord’s, The Oval and Headingley.

ECB chair Richard Thompson describes the windfall as a “seminal moment” for the game.

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Cricket superstars like Ben Stokes will see their salaries take a massive jump[/caption]

He has written an open letter to cricket fans to try to ease worries that the auction could wreck county cricket.

Many counties face financial hardship and their £25m share of the bonanza will help pay off debts and improve infrastructure.

The big worry is that the money will not be used wisely and, in perhaps 15 years, some counties could find they are back to square one.

That is why spending must first be approved by the ECB.

Investors believe their money can be recouped mainly from future TV deals for The Hundred.

From 2026, expect name changes and greater alignment with other IPL-owned teams around the globe.

The Hundred could also become a T20 tournament, although the ECB deny this was a condition of the sale.

KEMI Badenoch could face a leadership challenge “within months” senior Tories have secretly warned – as donors desert the crisis-hit party.

Shadow Cabinet ministers say the Tory leader is bombing at PMQs and being outshone by Nigel Farage’s Reform Party.

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Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch is on the ropes[/caption]

One said: “PMQs this week was woeful. She is getting worse and worse and Keir is getting better.

“We want Kemi to succeed but she needs to change her tactics.

“The problem is she doesn’t listen to anyone. She needs to change course and quickly.

“And she needs to get some new members of her team who can actually stand up to her and say no and she will listen to them.”

Another senior Tory said: “The shadow cabinet is desperate to do something and attack. But Kemi won’t do anything.

“There was a shadow Cabinet meeting on the anniversary of her first 100 days as leader. .

“And absolutely nothing was planned to go on the attack.

“Meanwhile, Reform were out getting headlines with their Kemi books saying she hadn’t done anything since being leader.”

Kemi has until September to turn things around or serious questions will be asked of her leadership, the source said.

Another said: “I thought she would survive the May elections even if they are bad just because she hasn’t been in post long. But now I am not so sure.

In another blow to the under-fire Tory boss, she left a swanky dinner with a wealthy possible donor empty handed.

Kemi and her team went to Middlesborough FC wonder Steve Gibson’s mansion in North Yorkshire on Thursday night.

Mr Gibson – who has previously backed Labour and is worth a mega £640milllion – treated them to dinner and a sleepover.

But The Sun on Sunday understands they left without any money or a pledge of support from the football boss.

Tory Party coffers are running dry – and the party has been forced to lay off staff at their HQ.

Reform party Treasurer Nick Candy is busy hoovering up lots of donations from the City – traditionally where the Tories get a lot of their money from.

A Tory source said: “He is stealing candy from a baby.”

Meanwhile some Labour MPs are purposely “going soft” on Kemi as they do not want her toppled too quickly in case the party gets a more effective leader.

A Labour MP told The Sun on Sunday: “Labour MPs have been saying to each other – go soft on Kemi as we do not want her gone yet.”

Tory sources hit back – insisting it was never their intention to leave Mr Gibson’s home with a cheque or political backing.

She is out “working hard” and listening to people, the source added.
A source at the dinner added: “It went well. Kemi hit her stride.”

It's like Black Mirror to the 1000th degree