Luke Littler has revealed what he feels will be the ‘next big step’ on the road to establishing himself as the greatest player in history. The teenage superstar has enjoyed an unprecedented rise since his incredible run to last year’s World Darts Championship final. He went on to win the Premier League in his debut season before securing Alexandra Palace glory at the second time of asking.

The reigning world champion will be hoping to make a successful defence of his title in 2026, where a huge amount of prize money will likely be up for grabs. Littler received £500,000 for beating Michael van Gerwen back in January but is expected to take home significantly more if he achieves back-to-back wins.

It has been widely reported that next year’s champion will receive a £1million payday, with the amount of prize money set to be doubled. The PDC are yet to announce the proposed changes but Luke Humphries all but confirmed them in a recent interview.

Littler believes that winning seven figures would help to propel him towards even greater stardom while also helping the sport in general by increasing its profile.

“I’ve not been told anything, but obviously, it’s been going around for many years,” said Littler. “It’s been £500,000 for the past however many years, but I think that’s the next big step for us players.

“Obviously, whoever wins it, they’ll obviously go straight to number one. So, if it’s this year or if it’s next year, I do feel 99.9 per cent sure it’ll happen.”

Only time will tell if Littler can secure back-to-back titles at Alexandra Palace next year, with Humphries likely to be his closest challenger once again. Cool Hand recently claimed that a potential increase in prize money is already common knowledge despite the lack of any official announcement.

He told talkSPORT: “I’m not fighting desperately to be world number one. I’d rather be world champion, which he [Littler] is, so for him, I’m sure he’d be happier to be world champion than world number one.

“For me, it doesn’t matter what happens in the next six, seven, eight months. It’s all about the world championships. We all know that the world champion is going to get a million quid.

“So, whoever wins that is going to be world number one. If I win that, I’ll be world number one for a long time. If Luke wins that, he’s going to be world number one for a long time.”

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a move for Victor Boniface three months after he failed to secure a transfer to Saudi Arabia. The Nigeria international seemed destined for a move to Al-Nassr towards the end of the January window but the Saudi outfit pulled the plug on a deal.

Al-Nassr were desperate to sign a new striker to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. They lined up deals for Boniface and Jhon Duran before making a late decision. It was Duran whose £64million switch was given the green light by officials, with Boniface forced to remain with Bayer Leverkusen. However, the 24-year-old is said to have been ‘happy’ and did not allow missing out on signing a lucrative contract ruin his mood.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said a week after deadline day: “He’s very good now and I think he’s happy. He’s happy with the guys. That’s what I feel every day when I see him.

“He’s laughing in the locker room with the other crazy guys. They have a lot of fun together and he knows he has a bright future, so it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

Now, a move to Chelsea could be on the cards. CaughtOffside report that the Blues are eyeing a move for the forward as an alternative to Alexander Isak.

Chelsea are expected to sign a new centre-forward in the summer transfer window. Nicolas Jackson’s inconsistency has been a source of frustration. The Senegal international has also spent large periods of the season out injured, with Enzo Maresca struggling to find a replacement.

Isak and Benjamin Sesko have been strongly linked with the west Londoners. Both players have interest from other Premier League and European clubs, with Chelsea facing a major battle to sign either player. An alternative such as Boniface could be an ideal agreement to strike.

Jackson had scored nine Premier League goals before suffering a hamstring injury in February. He is expected to miss a large part of the remainder of the season.

To return to the top of the Premier League, Chelsea need a player who can match the scoring exploits of the likes of Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. Boniface has scored seven Bundesliga goals in only 837 minutes this season – the equivalent of just under 10 matches. He would provide excellent competition to Jackson.

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a move for Victor Boniface three months after he failed to secure a transfer to Saudi Arabia. The Nigeria international seemed destined for a move to Al-Nassr towards the end of the January window but the Saudi outfit pulled the plug on a deal.

Al-Nassr were desperate to sign a new striker to play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. They lined up deals for Boniface and Jhon Duran before making a late decision. It was Duran whose £64million switch was given the green light by officials, with Boniface forced to remain with Bayer Leverkusen. However, the 24-year-old is said to have been ‘happy’ and did not allow missing out on signing a lucrative contract ruin his mood.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said a week after deadline day: “He’s very good now and I think he’s happy. He’s happy with the guys. That’s what I feel every day when I see him.

“He’s laughing in the locker room with the other crazy guys. They have a lot of fun together and he knows he has a bright future, so it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime chance.”

Now, a move to Chelsea could be on the cards. CaughtOffside report that the Blues are eyeing a move for the forward as an alternative to Alexander Isak.

Chelsea are expected to sign a new centre-forward in the summer transfer window. Nicolas Jackson’s inconsistency has been a source of frustration. The Senegal international has also spent large periods of the season out injured, with Enzo Maresca struggling to find a replacement.

Isak and Benjamin Sesko have been strongly linked with the west Londoners. Both players have interest from other Premier League and European clubs, with Chelsea facing a major battle to sign either player. An alternative such as Boniface could be an ideal agreement to strike.

Jackson had scored nine Premier League goals before suffering a hamstring injury in February. He is expected to miss a large part of the remainder of the season.

To return to the top of the Premier League, Chelsea need a player who can match the scoring exploits of the likes of Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. Boniface has scored seven Bundesliga goals in only 837 minutes this season – the equivalent of just under 10 matches. He would provide excellent competition to Jackson.