Premier league

SUNDERLAND’S old Roker Park stadium is now the site of 130 houses – 26 years after it was demolished.

The Black Cats played at the ground for 99 years, with the final season being Sunderland ‘s first in the Premier League in 1996-97.

Demolition work began following the conclusion of the Prem season and Roker Park was replaced by a housing estate.

There are 130 homes on the site now but there are remnants of the old ground to remind fans of their former home.

One road is named after Roker Park’s famous Clock Stand while others are called Midfield Drive and Goalmouth Close.

And in the location of the old pitch stands Promotion Close Park.

Sunderland’s departure from Roker Park was an emotional move for fans, but the Stadium of Light has become a new home.

The 48,707-capacity ground is one of the biggest in the country and has hosted England matches over the years.

It is on the 14-stadium shortlist to host games at Euro 2028 – and the Three Lions have an impressive record there.

In fact, England have won three out of three at the Stadium of Light.

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The most recent victory came against Australia in 2016 with Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney scoring in a 2-1 win.

The Three Lions also beat Belgium at the ground in 1999 and overcame Turkey in 2003.

CHELSEA have stolen a march on Manchester United by reportedly opening talks to sign Neymar.

Newcastle ae also keen on the Brazil striker as PSG face an exodus of legends.

Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi are definitely heading out of the French giants.

PSG sacked boss Christophe Galtier on Tuesday despite pipping Lens to retain the Ligue 1 crown.

And Neymar is the latest superstar open to moving on as the Parisians face a huge summer shake-up.

Two years remain on his contract, with the option of an extra 12 months.

So Chelsea would still have to splash out to reunite Neymar with his ex-PSG chief Mauricio Pochettino at Stamford bridge.

The 31-year-old was thought to favour a move to Old Trafford .

But Le10sport say Chelsea officials are showing their strong backing for Pochettino by opening negotiations over a mega move.

Poch has also being tipped to beat Arsenal to £80milion-rated midfielder Moises Caicedo .

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Meanwhile, Messi has been linked with old club Barcelona as well as Saudi Arabian teams.

And iconic Spanish centre-back Ramos has announced his PSG exit.

FORGOTTEN Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has been urged to swap Premier League clubs to “get the management he needs”.

The American winger has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge and is reportedly free to leave the club this summer.

With just one year left on his contract, Chelsea are prepared to sell Pulisic for £20million, according to ESPN .

The report adds that Newcastle United, Manchester United , Napoli, AC Milan and Galatasaray are all interested.

All five clubs have been made aware of Pulisic’s transfer fee and wage demands.

However, it is Newcastle that have been highlighted as the perfect destination for Pulisic by ex- Premier League keeper Shaka Hislop.

Hislop told ESPN : “I think he’d get the management he needs at Newcastle United.

“Listen, if Newcastle come in for Christian Pulisic, if I have anything to do with advising him, I’m telling him take it.

“Let’s remember Christian Pulisic has struggled to establish himself in a team that just finished 12th in the league.

“And given his stop-start and inconsistencies in English football – even dating back to his latter [Borussia] Dortmund days – right now, to get a team finishing in the top-four, top-half of the Premier League, I can’t think of any other.”

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He also added: “Eddie Howe likes utilising that pace. I would have him. I think he fits how Eddie Howe likes to play.

“He does not bring the kind of ego and will allow himself to be coached, to learn under Eddie Howe.”

Pulisic has seen his number of appearances decline across the past three seasons, making just 30 last term and scoring once.

New manager Mauricio Pochettino is also understood to be happy for the club to sell the 24-year-old as he looks to build his squad for next season.

Despite Hislop’s advice, Serie A remains the most likely destination for Pulisic , according to the bookies.

He was also reportedly offered to AC Milan along with Hakim Ziyech last month as part of a bid for winger Rafael Leao .

JOSE MOURINHO has made contact with a long-term Arsenal transfer target but the star “wants to wait for Premier League offers”.

The Roma manager is eyeing a move to sign Youri Tielemans on a free transfer when he officially leaves Leicester at the end of this month.

Tielemans will depart the King Power Stadium when his contract expires, the Foxes have confirmed.

And, despite being a long-term Arsenal target, Tielemans has been approached by Roma and Mourinho .

Gianluca Di Marzio reports that the Serie A side have already made contact with Tielemans over a potential move.

However, Roma’s hopes rest on which other clubs approach the Belgian this summer.

The report adds that the 26-year-old is waiting to see if he receives offers from any Premier League clubs.

Aston Villa are one such club who could come in for Tielemans, with bookies slashing odds on a move to Villa Park.

Arsenal also remain interested and were linked with Tielemans as recently as April.

The Gunners have been rumoured with signing the former Monaco midfielder for several seasons, but no deal has materialised.

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Tielemans remains in high demand despite Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League, though.

He will be one of seven players to leave the club at the end of June, with others expected to be sold in a mass exodus this summer.

MANCHESTER UNITED are set to bolster their squad this summer as they eye a Premier League title challenge next season.

Erik ten Hag has enjoyed a relatively successful first 12 months in charge of the Red Devils, ending their six-year wait for a trophy with the Carabao Cup and also returning them to the Champions League .

But they remain well adrift of neighbours Manchester City , finishing the campaign 14 points behind their local rivals.

And it is widely accepted they will need to improve their side if they are to compete with Pep Guardiola ‘s men.

So who could they poach this summer to close the gap to their counterparts from the blue side of the city?

Here are five names linked with moves to Old Trafford that could help them mount a serious push for the title.

HARRY KANE

Man Utd ‘s highest-profile target is Tottenham striker Harry Kane – who is expected to set them back around £100million.

Spurs’ talisman, 29, is preparing to enter the final 12 months of his contract and has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford.

But the Red Devils face tough competition from Real Madrid who are keen to sign him as their replacement for Karim Benzema.

KIM MIN-JAE

Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae , 26, is being heavily linked with a move away from the Serie A champions .

Despite only joining the club in the summer for £15m from Fenerbahce, his £40m release clause becomes active on July 1.

Man Utd are leading the race to sign him and are desperate for a centre-back to replace Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof – both of whom are expected to leave in the coming weeks.

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NICOLO BARELLA

Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella is attracting widespread interest from the Premier League .

The 26-year-old Italy international is thought to be another option Ten Hag is keen on alongside Mason Mount and Declan Rice.

But United are one of FOUR English sides interested in the technically supreme star, with Man City, Liverpool and Newcastle also keeping tabs on him.

AXEL DISASI

If both Maguire and Lindelof are to depart, Ten Hag will want another top quality central defender to back up Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane, even if Min-jae also joins.

United have held “positive talks” with Monaco defender Axel Disasi , 25, who can play at centre-half and right-back.

He is expected to leave the Ligue 1 side after they missed out on a place in the Champions League.

DAVID RAYA

Brentford’s impressive campaign has seen keeper David Raya catch the eyes of Premier League clubs.

David de Gea is out of contract this summer and it remains to be seen whether or not he will agree a new deal.

But if the Spaniard is to depart, United are interested in replacing him with compatriot Raya, 27, who Tottenham are also keen on .