Transfer news LIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi friendly, Villa in for Pickford EXCLUSIVE, Bellingham latest | The Sun
LIONEL MESSI and Cristiano Ronaldo are reportedly set to have one more final showdown in 2023.
Messi's PSG side will play a friendly against a combined XI from Saudi sides Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, according to reports.
With Ronaldo now confirmed as Al-Nassr’s new talisman, it is almost certain that he would be involved in the potential clash.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa are keeping an eye on England No 1 Jordan Pickford’s contract situation.
Villa are bracing themselves for offers for World Cup winner Emi Martinez and monitoring Pickford, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
Goalkeeper Pickford, 28, has yet to settle a new deal at Everton and that has alerted his admirers.
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- Jake Sanders
Happy New Year footy fans
There are no less than five top sides battling it out for Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbian striker could leave Juventus with the club in turmoil after their board dramatically quit.
Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea are leading the race from England, says Calciomercato.
But Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also known to be interested.
Meanwhile, Newcastle could face a transfer blow as Manchester City have opened talks with Argentine wonderkid Maximo Perrone.
The 19-year-old plays for top-flight team Velez Sarsfield in his hometown of Buenos Aires.
And City have opened talks over a £6.5million move, says the Mail.
That's despite longstanding interest from Newcastle, as well as Wolves and Benfica.
Elsewhere, ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis Suarez has joined Brazilian outfit Gremio.
The striker left boyhood club Nacional in November following a short spell.
But Suarez has now signed for the SEVENTH club of his career.
He's penned a two-year contract with the South American giants after reportedly rejecting offers from Saudi Arabia and the MLS.
Finally, Sergio Ramos could be reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
Marca claims the Saudi Arabian giants are still plotting big moves despite landing Ronaldo in a mega-money deal.
And PSG veteran Ramos is top of their wishlist after struggling in France.
- James Orr
Exclusive by SunSport’s Alan Nixon
Aston Villa are keeping an eye on Jordan Pickford’s contract issues — as they brace themselves for offers for World Cup winner Emi Martinez.
England goalkeeper Pickford, 28, has yet to settle a new deal at Everton and that has alerted his admirers.
Those, of course, include Chelsea — as we first revealed in November.
But Villa are keen on him, too, if Argentine hero Martinez gets a big-money move in this month’s transfer window.
There has been a lot of noise from the Martinez camp about interest from several clubs.
Bayern Munich are among the big sides who may make a move.
- Anthony Chapman
Exclusive by SunSport’s Alan Nixon
Man Utd are trying to jump into the race for Sunderland wonderkid Chris Rigg.
Red Devils bosses would love to land the 15-year-old prospect as one for their future.
But Newcastle remain strong favourites to sign the central midfielder from their fiercest rivals, who is also wanted by Everton.
Rigg is rated the best of his age in the country and has already captained England's Under-16s.
- Anthony Chapman
Exclusive by SunSport’s Alan Nixon
Man Utd midfielder Hannibal Mejbri is on the wanted list of French giants Marseille.
The Tunisia international is currently on loan to Birmingham City in the Championship.
But Marseille are keen to step in — and sent one of their top men to check his progress last week.
Meanwhile, forward Charlie McNeill may go out on loan to find his form.
- Anthony Chapman
Mudryk drops Arsenal transfer hint
Arsenal target Mykhailo Mudryk has dropped a big hint he could join the Gunners in January.
Mudryk, also linked with Chelsea, shared a compilation video showing his best goals and skills of 2022 on Instagram.
And he used the song Circo Loco by 21 Savage and Drake over the highlight footage, which includes the lyrics: “Still gotta see the Gunners win Premier League.”
Mudryk then posted a picture of Mikel Arteta and Brighton's Roberto De Zerbi, his former Shakhtar manager, saying: "Top 2 coach."
- Anthony Chapman
Done deal – Suarez to Gremio
Ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis Suarez has joined Brazilian outfit Gremio.
The striker left boyhood club Nacional in November following a short spell.
But Suarez has now signed for the SEVENTH club of his career.
He's penned a two-year contract with the South American giants after reportedly rejecting offers from Saudi Arabia and the MLS.
- Anthony Chapman
Maguire told to leave United
Rio Ferdinand has urged Harry Maguire to quit Man Utd after he was dropped for the 1-0 win at Wolves.
Rio told BT: “It raised eyebrows when you saw Lindelof and Maguire on the bench. It shows what Ten Hag thinks of those two guys.
“If I’m Harry Maguire, I’m looking for a new club right now. He’s faultless for England, but at United it hasn’t worked out for him.
“I’d be telling my agent to go and find me a new club where I can play regularly and enjoy my football.”
- Anthony Chapman
Ramos primed for Ronaldo reunion
Sergio Ramos could be reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
Marca claims the Saudi Arabian giants are still plotting big moves despite landing Ronaldo in a mega-money deal.
And PSG veteran Ramos is top of their wishlist after struggling in France.
Ramos and Ronaldo won plenty of trophies together at Real Madrid, leaving fans salivating at the prospect of the duo in the same XI again.
- Anthony Chapman
Max effort for City slickers
Newcastle could face a transfer blow as Manchester City have opened talks with Argentine wonderkid Maximo Perrone.
The 19-year-old plays for top-flight team Velez Sarsfield in his hometown of Buenos Aires.
And City have opened talks over a £6.5million move, says the Mail.
That's despite longstanding interest from Newcastle, as well as Wolves and Benfica.
- Anthony Chapman
Dusan Vlahovic a wanted man
There are no less than four top sides battling it out for Dusan Vlahovic.
The Serbian striker could leave Juventus with the club in turmoil after their board dramatically quit.
Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea are leading the race from England.
But Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also known to be interested.
- Tony Robertson
United into the top four
Marcus Rashford fired Man United into the top four after initially being dropped for a "disciplinary" issue.
The 25-year-old's clever exchange with Bruno Fernandes yielded him the space to fire a close range effort into the net and drag United into the top four.
- Tony Robertson
Parker to be offered Brugge job
Former Fulham and Bournemouth boss Scott Parker is set to be offered the manager's gig at Belgium side Club Brugge.
According to HLN, Brugge are struggling in the Belgian Pro League and having sacked previous boss Carl Hoefkens they are now considering the appointment of Parker.
- Tony Robertson
Arsenal and Man Utd battle for Norway wonderkid
Norwegian wonderkid Sivert Mannsverk is on the radar of Manchester United and Arsenal
French outlet Jeunes Footeux report that the defensive midfielder, named as the third most prominsing defensive midfielder by CIES football observatory, has been noticed by the two Prem giants.
This interest could prompt a move for the 20-year-old Molde star.
The report indicates he could be available for as little as £8.9million, which would break Erling Haaland’s record as the biggest sale in the club’s history.
Ajax are also reportedly interested in a move.
- Tony Robertson
Enz of days
Enzo Fernandez could have played his final game for Benfica, his coach Roger Schmidt has admitted.
He said: "I don't know if that was the last match of Enzo. I think Enzo is a great player.
"Since he arrived at Benfica, he's played fantastic football. Also, as a person, he's completely identified with the club.
"Like I said before the match, sometimes things in football happen and then players have to make decisions. We will see what happens in the next weeks."
It will come as a boost to Chelsea as they prepare to pay as much as £105million to secure his services.
Unfortunatley, for Fernandez, his final game may be a sour memory due to his side being on the end of a 3-0 defeat to Braga.
- Tony Robertson
Pele tribute
Players at Molineux pay tribute with a minute's applause before the game between Wolves and Man Utd.
Credit: AFP
- Tony Robertson
Players will pay tribute to Pele
Players across the Premier League will pay tribute to Pele by wearing black armbands in memory of him.
Two Brazilians are starting in the early kick off between Wolves and Manchester United.
A minute’s applause will be held prior to kick off.
- Tony Robertson
Chelsea to hijack Mudryk
Chelsea have added Arsenal transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk to their list of transfer targets.
The Guardian report that Chelsea want to add attacking reinforcements in January and have now shortlisted the Ukrainian, who was recently subject to an official offer from the Gunners.
Shakhtar Donetsk are holding out for £85million, which is far more than the opening £55m Arsenal bid earlier this week.
- Tony Robertson
Rashford dropped for disciplinary reasons
Erik ten Hag has revealed Marcus Rashford has been dropped for disciplinary reasons.
Speaking on BT Sport he said it was down to an “internal disciplinary” issue.
It comes as a shock considering the 25-year-old's strong form.
- Tony Robertson
The paper look
Here's how the two team's may line up:
Wolves will be desperate to collect back to back wins Ten Hag has kept faith with his back four vs Nottingham Forest - Tony Robertson
Team news out
New Years Eve's early kick off team news has been announced – with some surprises.
Erik ten Hag has kept faith with his defence which stayed together against Nottingham Forest, while Marcus Rashford has dropped to the bench.
Wolves have made one change as well, with Matheus Nunes coming in for Joe Hodge.
- Tony Robertson
Wolves vs Man Utd live blog
Want live updates of Wolves clash vs Manchester United?
Well you can get it all by staying with SunSport's live blog of today's first New Year's Eve game here.
- Tony Robertson
Clipped wings
Manchester City have opened talks to sign Argentine wonderkid Maximo Perrone.
According to the Daily Mail, City have started negotiations over a £6.5million transfer, which will come as a blow to Newcastle owing to their own interest in the 19-year-old.
He currently plays for top-flight team Velez Sarsfield in his hometown of Buenos Aires.
- Tony Robertson
Breaking: Everton recall sims
Everton have recalled loanee Elis Simms from his loan spell at Sunderland.
A Black Cats club statement confirmed the news.
It read: "Sunderland AFC can confirm that Ellis Simms has been recalled by Everton.
"The 21-year-old returns to Goodison Park with immediate effect following a successful five-month loan spell at the Stadium of Light, during which the striker scored seven goals in 17 appearances."
The club's Sporting Director Kristjaan Speakman revealed they were "disappointed" with the recall.
He said: "Ellis’ return to Merseyside is a real disappointment for us due to the shared progress that he and the Club have made this season.
"Unfortunately, this is the nature of loans when they are successful, but it is a testament to Tony and the wider staff – and of course to Ellis – that Everton feel he is ready to continue his immediate development in a Premier League environment.
"We all wish Ellis the very best and thank him for the part he has played in our continual progression as a Football Club."
- Tony Robertson
Leeds only team in for La Liga ace
Leeds are the only side left in the race to sign La Liga full-back Alfonso Pedraza.
According to La Razon the Whites are preparing a bid after interest from the Serie A faded.
And they are keen to make use of their unique position and are prepared to "present an offer" to Villarreal.
- Tony Robertson
Rab-it’s hat
Arsenal are leading the charge to sign Adrien Rabiot.
According to Calciomercato the Gunners are leading the race to sign the Frenchman once his contract expires next summer.
The report indicates they are also looking at a similar deal for Milan Skriniar, and could even leapfrog PSG in the pursuit of him.
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