CRISTIANO RONALDO could end up joining the club where he started his career – Sporting.
Reports from Portugal suggest the Lisbon-based side believe a one-year loan deal can now be done, owing to Ronaldo's determination to play in the Champions League.
Meanwhile Manchester United still believe they will sign Frenkie de Jong this summer, according to reports.
The Red Devils have agreed a £72m package with Barcelona for the Dutchman and are waiting for the player to accept the offer.
And Kieran Trippier has revealed he had a deal agreed to join United before Newcastle swooped.
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- Alex Cole
More on Ronaldo's Lisbon return
Super-agent Jorge Mendes is eager to get his client out of The Theatre of Dreams and has held preliminary talks with Sporting over a shock return to the club.
That's according to The Athletic, who claim the Primeira Liga side are interested in signing their former star – who they sold to United 19 years ago – on a one-year loan deal.
It is, however, claimed that Sporting chief Ruben Amorim isn't sold on the idea as signing Ronaldo would drastically "change the dynamic" of the team.
The astronomical wages of the former Real Madrid man are also said to be a potential stumbling block for the deal.
SunSport understands Ronaldo's camp have urged Manchester United to name their price so the superstar can trigger a move.
They are claiming they have a live offer on the table.
- Alex Cole
Georgina back in Manchester
Georgina Rodriguez is back in Manchester as Cristiano Ronaldo thrashes out his future at United, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
The glamorous WAG, 28, has been sunning herself in Spain this month.
But Georgina returned to the cooler climes of the UK this week.
And she announced her presence with a post on social media.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Georgina uploaded a photograph of the grey Manchester sky, also noting the current temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.
That’s a huge drop from Madrid, which has been seeing temperatures in the high 30s.
Georgina also showed her devotion to Ronaldo, adding in a snap of matching ‘C’ and ‘G’ coffee mugs resting next to a plate of pancakes.
But she may not be experiencing Manchester’s mildness for much longer…
- Alex Cole
AC Milan in race for Bailly
AC Milan have reportedly joined the race to sign Manchester United defender Eric Bailly.
The 28-year-old’s chances of game time in the upcoming season were dealt another blow following the arrival of Lisandro Martinez at Old Trafford.
As a result, the Ivory Coast international has been linked with a move away this summer.
Roma are thought to be interested in acquiring his services, with manager Jose Mourinho the man who brought Bailly to Man Utd back in 2016.
But according to The Athletic, they have now been joined in their pursuit of the defender by fellow Italian side AC Milan.
- Alex Cole
Sporting ‘begin Ronaldo loan transfer talks’
Sporting Lisbon are in talks with Manchester United about signing Cristiano Ronaldo on a season-loan loan.
Ronaldo reiterated his desire to leave the club during meetings at Carrington this week, according to the Athletic.
Initial talks are taking place, say reports.
- Alex Cole
Tripper reveals how close he was to signing at Old Trafford
Kieran Tripper has revealed just how close he was to a transfer to Manchester United… and why the move collapsed.
Some were taken by surprise when Trippier chose to leave behind Atletico Madrid, swerve United and join struggling Newcastle.
And Trippier, 31, admits he had been set to move to Manchester before family issues got in the way.
He told the Mirror: "Yes they [Man Utd] were interested. There were a couple of clubs.
"Me and the manager had a chat at the start of the season and agreed if an opportunity came up I might go.
"At the start of the season I had a couple of family problems. To be fair they didn’t want to come back [from Spain]. It didn’t happen, so I carried on.
"I wanted to come back to the north. So there is City and Liverpool. As a player you have to be realistic as well.
"The Newcastle deal happened really quickly. The manager took over, who I knew well and it was a good decision. This place is a football city and people are obsessed with their club."
- Alex Cole
Toad in the goal
A Yorkshire North Riding League Premier division team has taken a battering before the season even starts with the delivery of toad-in-the-hole themed kit.
Non-league Bedale AFC will rise to the occasion in shirts and shorts displaying the classic British dish.
The sausage-and-batter-print outfits are complemented with green socks.
To make matters worse, the goalkeeper’s strip is modelled on a side order of mixed veg.
- Alex Cole
Morning, United fans
Cristiano Ronaldo has urged United to set a transfer fee so he can accept an offer from a rival club.
But Old Trafford chiefs refused the plea from Ron's agent Jorge Mendes.
And they also rejected releasing legend Ronaldo, 37, on a free transfer due to his "loyalty".
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are tipped to join United and Chelsea in pursuing Frenkie de Jong.
And it's claimed Barcelona could reach an agreement within days over the £17million pay they owe their midfielder.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has reportedly told his agent he’d rather join United than Arsenal.
The Serbia attacking midfielder has also been linked to Arsenal.
But it's the Gunners who seem ahead of the Red Devils if the two clubs decide to bid for Youri Tielemans.
The Leicester midfielder has reportedly “broadly agreed” personal terms with Arsenal.
Finally, it's said AC Milan and Roma are interested in United centre-back Eric Bailly.
- Ian Tuckey
Ron: Let me go – I have an offer
EXCLUSIVE: Cristiano Ronaldo has urged Manchester United to name their price so he can trigger a move that is already on the table, writes NEIL CUSTIS.
Superstar Ron and his agent, Jorge Mendes, held showdown talks with the Old Trafford hierarchy this week in a bid to resolve his future.
Mendes told United chiefs he had a live offer but the club must slap a transfer fee on his head to get the deal done.
United refused and said they were not letting Ronaldo go.
The Red Devils also balked at the suggestion they should simply release him on a free transfer because of what was described as his “loyalty” to the club.
Ronaldo has a year left of his current deal but United have the option to extend that by another 12 months.
And with United’s Premier League opener at home to Brighton just nine days away, both sides are at an impasse.
- Ian Tuckey
Tuchel ‘blocked Cristiano deal’
Cristiano Ronaldo was set for a move to Chelsea this summer – only for Thomas Tuchel to block the transfer.
According to Spanish journalist Manu Sainz, the Portuguese legend had agreed in principle to join the Londoners.
The proposal came after new Blues owner Todd Boehly was spotted meeting with agent Jorge Mendes last month.
However, Tuchel soon expressed his concerns with the prospective deal – and the club instead turned to Raheem Sterling.
Ronaldo is desperate to leave Manchester United in order to continue playing in the Champions League, but is yet to receive any concrete offers.
- Ian Tuckey
'Utd want new striker'
Erik ten Hag wants a new striker – possibly even if Cristiano Ronaldo stays.
That's Fabrizio Romano's claim as Manchester United chiefs try to keep wantaway legend Ronaldo.
It's thought new manager Ten Hag would like a goal-getter for the future, regardless of 37-year-old Ron's future.
Transfer guru Romano said: “Ten Hag and the board are deciding together, they are waiting for Ronaldo’s situation, but they want to sign a striker.”
- Ian Tuckey
Juventus hunt Pogba replacement
Juventus are reportedly looking for a replacement for the injured Paul Pogba just two months after he signed – and have a Chelsea flop lined up.
The French midfield’s faces months out after limping out of a training session with a knee issue.
It’s a nightmare start to his time in Turin after seven years away from the club.
There are even fears Pogba may miss the World Cup due to the severity of the injury, which could reportedly require surgery.
Juventus look to be moving quickly to replace the ex-Manchester United man ahead of the Serie A season.
Calciomercato report that the Old Lady are interested in former Blues loanee Saul Niguez. The 27-year-old failed to make an impact during his time at Stamford Bridge and his difficult spell did not go unnoticed. He only made 10 Premier League appearances and struggled often after coming off the bench.
- Ian Tuckey
Arsenal 'have Youri agreement'
The Youri Tielemans transfer saga took another twist tonight with claims Arsenal have "broadly agreed" personal terms with the Leicester midfielder.
The Belgium superstar has also been linked to Manchester United ahead of the final year of his Foxes' contract.
And CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “As Leicester have said and as I’ve said repeatedly, Arsenal have never made an offer for Youri Tielemans.
“What they have done is gone to the player and agreed personal terms, broadly speaking.
"What they do know is that Tielemans would like to move to Arsenal.”
- Ian Tuckey
Georgina back in Manchester
Georgina Rodriguez is back in Manchester as Cristiano Ronaldo thrashes out his future at United, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
The glamorous WAG, 28, has been sunning herself in Spain this month.
But Georgina returned to the cooler climes of the UK this week.
And she announced her presence with a post on social media.
Taking to Instagram Stories, Georgina uploaded a photograph of the grey Manchester sky, also noting the current temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.
That’s a huge drop from Madrid, which has been seeing temperatures in the high 30s.
Georgina also showed her devotion to Ronaldo, adding in a snap of matching ‘C’ and ‘G’ coffee mugs resting next to a plate of pancakes.
But she may not be experiencing Manchester’s mildness for much longer.
That’s because Ronaldo is desperate to quit Old Trafford this summer. And he held showdown talks with Red Devils chiefs this week, with former boss Sir Alex Ferguson also present.
- Ian Tuckey
Marseille ‘in advanced talks over Sanchez’
Marseille have entered advanced talks to complete a shock transfer for ex-Arsenal and Manchester United striker Alexis Sanchez, according to reports.
Chile superstar Sanchez is currently contracted to Inter Milan, but finds himself down the pecking order for minutes.
The 33-year-old is approaching the twilight of his career, but wants to carry on playing football for a Champions League team.
Ligue 1 side Marseille have entered the fold in this regard, able to offer significant minutes to a player of Sanchez’s quality and provide Champions League football courtesy of a top four finish in Ligue 1.
Talks between the two parties are said to be at an ‘advanced’ stage but a deal will ultimately only be possible if Sanchez RIPS UP his contract with Inter Milan, according to La Provence.
He played 1,273 minutes at Inter last season, contributing with 14 goals with a high proportion of his games starting from the bench.
- Ian Tuckey
'Milan and Roma keen on Bailly'
AC Milan and Roma are reportedly interested in Manchester United centre-back Eric Bailly.
The Athletic say Milan are keen on recruiting a new defender, while Roma chief Jose Mourinho is a fan of the Ivorian.
Lisandro Martinez's arrival at Old Trafford from Ajax could relegate Bailly as low as fifth-choice in manager Erik ten Hag's pecking order.
So he might well be happy with a move to another elite club.
- Ian Tuckey
Hunt for De Jong widens
Bayern Munich could yet join Manchester United and Chelsea in pursuing Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
But AS expect the stand-off between the Holland star and Barcato be resolved in the next few days days.
The Spanish publication believe that an agreement regarding the £17m that is owed to the player in deferred wages is near.
A positive outcome is likely to trigger De Jong’s transfer away from the Nou Camp.
Manchester United are in pole position to take advantage, but Chelsea are also in the mix if Barca consider lowering their valuation.
And the media outlet reckons that Bayern should not be ruled out of the running with the suggestion being that the Bundesliga champions could make a late bid for the 25-year-old.
- Ian Tuckey
Prem target Sergej 'prefers Man Utd to Arsenal'
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has reportedly told his agent he'd prefer to join Manchester United over Arsenal .
The Lazio midfielder is admired by a string of Premier League giants.
It's claimed the Gunners were considering launching a bid – just as United were again linked with the Serbia star.
But tonight it appears Old Trafford is his top choice if he moves to the Prem.
- Ian Tuckey
Delay, big spender
West Ham boss David Moyes has warned the Premier League’s “sexy” spenders not to get too excited yet.
Manchester City signed Erling Haaland and Liverpool recruited Darwin Nunez as top-flight clubs bring in more overseas talent.
In contrast, the Hammers have made low-key additions in French keeper Alphonse Areola arriving permanently after his loan, defender Nayef Aguerd, midfielder Flynn Downes and forward Gianluca Scamacca.
The Hammers welcome Haaland and City to the London Stadium on the opening weekend of the Prem campaign.
Yet Moyes said: “There are loads of good players coming into the Premier League, and it would be wrong to name people now because you think they sound quite sexy.
“We have had so many sexy players come into the Premier League over the years. Some have been great, and there have been a lot who have been pretty disappointing.
“So, there is no point me saying something now because it might be wrong. There is just no certainty in football. But, we have certainly got a lot of really, really good teams and good players at the moment.”
- Ian Tuckey
Juve eye Saul as Pogba replacement
Juventus are reportedly looking for a replacement for the injured Paul Pogba just two months after he signed – and have a Chelsea flop lined up.
The French midfield's faces months out after limping out of a training session with a knee issue.
It's a nightmare start to his time in Turin after seven years away from the club.
There are even fears Pogba may miss the World Cup due to the severity of the injury, which could reportedly require surgery.
Juventus look to be moving quickly to replace the ex-Manchester United man ahead of the Serie A season.
Calciomercato report that the Old Lady are interested in former Blues loanee Saul Niguez. The 27-year-old failed to make an impact during his time at Stamford Bridge and his difficult spell did not go unnoticed. He only made 10 Premier League appearances and struggled often after coming off the bench.
- Ian Tuckey
Red Devils line up £42m Sergej bid
Manchester United are set to bid £42million for Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, according to reports.
The Red Devils have been chasing Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong as their No1 midfield target this summer.
But with a deal proving to be difficult, United chiefs are assessing their options.
According to Italian paper Messagero, Erik ten Hag's side are preparing a £42m offer for Lazio's star man.
The Italian side are set to dig their heels in, however, and demand a fee closer to £59m.
Lazio chief Claudio Lotito will drive a hard bargain, wary of potentially enraging supporters by selling their long-serving star midfielder.
Milinkovic-Savic, 27, has long been on United's radar. The Serbian would relish the opportunity to test himself out of Serie A, having played for Lazio since 2015. He has netted 58 goals in 294 appearances for the Rome side, also laying on 51 assists.
- Ian Tuckey
Delay, big spender
West Ham boss David Moyes has warned the Premier League’s "sexy" spenders not to get too excited yet.
Manchester City signed Erling Haaland and Liverpool recruited Darwin Nunez as top-flight clubs bring in more overseas talent.
In contrast, the Hammers have made low-key additions in French keeper Alphonse Areola arriving permanently after his loan, defender Nayef Aguerd, midfielder Flynn Downes and forward Gianluca Scamacca.
The Hammers welcome Haaland and City to the London Stadium on the opening weekend of the Prem campaign.
Yet Moyes said: “There are loads of good players coming into the Premier League, and it would be wrong to name people now because you think they sound quite sexy.
“We have had so many sexy players come into the Premier League over the years. Some have been great, and there have been a lot who have been pretty disappointing.
“So, there is no point me saying something now because it might be wrong. There is just no certainty in football. But, we have certainly got a lot of really, really good teams and good players at the moment.”
- Ian Tuckey
Tuchel 'blocked Cristiano deal'
Cristiano Ronaldo was set for a move to Chelsea this summer – only for Thomas Tuchel to block the transfer.
According to Spanish journalist Manu Sainz, the Portuguese legend had agreed in principle to join the Londoners.
The proposal came after new Blues owner Todd Boehly was spotted meeting with agent Jorge Mendes last month.
However, Tuchel soon expressed his concerns with the prospective deal – and the club instead turned to Raheem Sterling.
Ronaldo is desperate to leave Manchester United in order to continue playing in the Champions League, but is yet to receive any concrete offers.
- Ian Tuckey
Offside law changed
Harry Kane's 50th England goal would NOT be awarded under new offside laws being introduced for the new season, writes MARTIN LIPTON.
The International FA Board has now “clarified” the guidelines to referees over what constitutes “deliberate” playing of the ball by defenders that resets play and puts the attacker in an onside position.
Ifab’s rethink was a result of Kylian Mbappe’s winner for France in last season’s Nations League win against Spain.
Defender Eric Garcia stretched out to block a through-ball, inadvertently setting up Mbappe – who was in an offside position when the ball was initially played – to score.
Under the revised guidelines, that would now be called offside.
But a series of examples to show the difference between what is deemed deliberate and non-deliberate included England’s equalising penalty against Germany last month, converted by skipper Kane.
When Jack Grealish initially played the ball towards the Germany box, Kane was in advance of the last defender. He was played onside, however, when the ball diverted off Lukas Klosterman in behind Nico Schlotterbeck, who hauled down the Spurs striker.
Under the new interpretation, to come into instant effect, Kane’s original position, and the fact that Klosterman was attempting to intercept rather than pass the ball, means he was offside, negating the foul.
In a joint statement, The Ifab and Fifa said the changes reflected the view that “a player who is clearly in an offside position should not become ‘onside’ on all occasions when an opponent moves and touches the ball.”
- Ian Tuckey
Bayern could join Frenkie hunt
The standoff between Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong is expected to be resolved in the coming days, according to AS.
The Spanish publication believe that an agreement regarding the £17m that is owed to the player in deferred wages is near.
A positive outcome is likely to trigger De Jong’s transfer away from the Nou Camp.
Manchester United are in pole position to take advantage, but Chelsea are also in the mix if Barca consider lowering their valuation.
And the media outlet reckons that Bayern Munich should not be ruled out of the running with the suggestion being that the Bundesliga champions could make a late bid for the 25-year-old.
- Ian Tuckey
You've Dane Well
Zidane Iqbal has reportedly played his way into Erik ten Hag’s first-team plans at Manchester United.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who made his debut for the Red Devils last December, has shone in pre-season, most notably in the 4-0 win over Liverpool.
A host of clubs were interested in taking the teenager on loan this season, but the Daily Mail states that Ten Hag will snub all approaches to keep the ace with his squad.
Iqbal’s talents have taken him to the international stage too with the youngster already having been capped twice by Iraq.
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