Ex-goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has revealed a series of direct messages from pundit Eni Aluko after criticising her take on the Declan Rice transfer saga.
Ex-England star Aluko went viral for suggesting Manchester City were never genuinely interested in Rice and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta may have asked their rivals to put in a bid to motivate the club’s hierarchy.
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City ultimately pulled out of the race after their £90m bid was rejected, before the Gunners struck a £105m deal to sign the West Ham midfielder.
Aluko, who has worked as a sporting director at Aston Villa Women and Angel City FC, said: “I think what’s going on is [Mikel] Arteta has picked up the phone to Pep and said, ‘Listen, Arsenal are going to do the incremental bid approach, if you put a higher bid in, that will push my owner.’”
Responding to Aluko’s appearance on talkSPORT, ex-Premier League goalkeeper Kenny said: “Never heard owt like it in my life. How does she get airtime?? Biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard.”
Now, Kenny has shared screenshots of Aluko messaging him directly on Twitter to hit back.
She told him: “Hi Paddy, can’t say I’ve ever seen you as a pundit get airtime. There’s probably a reason for that.
“Disagree respectfully but coming for former players who have been pundits at the highest level for 10 years makes you look jealous and bitter mate.
“Not a great look.”
Aluko then sent Kenny a video link and continued: “Brilliant punditry talking about getting stoned. Amazing use of your airtime. Sorry what podcast was this?
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“Let me know when you’re on talkSPORT, ITV, BT, Amazon – I’ll tune in and see how you use your ‘airtime’.”
Kenny’s screenshots were captioned, ‘Think I’ve upset her’. And his tweet read: “Someone is rattled and comes across very big time.”
Kenny responded to these messages, although it’s not clear what he said, and then shared later replies from Aluko, captioning the post: “Still coming for me, think I need to block her as if I spoke to her like this there would be hell on.”
Aluko said: “What I said Re Rice to Arsenal and City interest is exactly what happened and if you were such a smart person you’d be able to tell me whether it happened or it didn’t.
“And you can’t. There’s no hope for you.
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“Keep going on platforms talking about being stoned on the pitch, you clown.
“You’re allowed your opinion but questioning why I get airtime only exposes you as a jealous idiot who can’t get airtime himself and when he does get airtime on God knows what podcast, only talks about getting stoned.
“Very stupid [crying laughter emoji].”
