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Georgina Rodriguez delighted in seeing Cristiano Ronaldo lead Viking Thunder Clap celebrations at the end of Al-Nassr’s AFC Champions League win.

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Saudi Pro League side chasing down silverwareRemain in the hunt for continental honoursPortuguese talisman leading the wayWHAT HAPPENED?

The Saudi Pro League outfit are into the quarter-finals of that competition after seeing off Al Feiha 3-0 on aggregate in the last 16. Portuguese superstar Ronaldo was on target in both legs of a knockout contest that has helped to keep him on course for major silverware in 2024.

AdvertisementTHE GOSSIP

Ronaldo’s partner Georgina and son Cristiano Jr were among those in attendance for a 2-0 victory over Al Feiha in Riyadh that saw CR7 wrap things up four minutes from time. Wild scenes of celebration were sparked when the final whistle blew, with emotion spilling out of those on and off the field.

InstagramDID YOU KNOW?

Ronaldo was front and centre as he helped to lead the home support in a rendition of the Thunder Clap routine that was made famous by Iceland supporters at Euro 2016. Georgina caught those celebrations on camera, before taking to the field herself once the stadium had cleared.

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WHAT NEXT FOR RONALDO?

Al-Nassr have branded Ronaldo “a love letter to the world” as he continues to deliver at 39 years of age, with the evergreen frontman – who was the world’s leading scorer in 2023 – taking his goal tally for the current campaign to 33 in 34 appearances.

Borussia Dortmund's Donyell Malen has revealed that he would be eager to rejoin Arsenal in order to realise his goal of playing in the Premier League.

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Malen reveals dream of playing in Premier LeagueMalen played with Arsenal youth teamsDortmund have a set asking price for forwardGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

It had been reported earlier that Malen will be made available for transfer this summer as Dortmund prepare for a restructuring, with a €50m (£43m/$54m) price tag set on the 25-year-old. Malen is enjoying the best season of his Bundesliga career this year. In 21 Bundesliga games, he has scored ten goals. The 25-year-old, who is now a crucial member of Dortmund's attack, acknowledged that he still has dreams of playing in the Premier League.

AdvertisementWHAT MALEN SAID

Speaking to Voetbalzone, Malen said [via 90Min]: "I think, because I played in England as a youth, it is a dream to play in the Premier League. I think that is a beautiful dream."

Asked specifically about a return to Arsenal, Malen added: "Yes I would [return]. I wanted Arsenal [as a teenager], my favourite club. I played there in my youth, I really wanted to break through there. Every now and then in a football career there are points at which you just have to make a decision.

"Yes, I was training with the first team, and I was 17, 18 at the time and I did make steps in the right direction, but I thought I had to just play professional football. I also saw my teammates playing professional football while I was still playing youth football and I knew [leaving] was the right thing to do."

Getty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Malen was acquired by Arsenal from Ajax in 2015 as a highly touted talent. The Dutchman had a successful tenure with the Gunners' youth teams, making waves at the Under-18 and Under-23 levels before deciding to play senior football and joining PSV Eindhoven.

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WHAT NEXT FOR MALEN?

The Dutchman will likely be a starter for Edin Terzic's Borussia Dortmund when they take on Union Berlin on Saturday, March 2. The Black and Yellow will take on Malen's old team PSV in the Champions League on March 14.

TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook has now claimed a ‘beast’ of a player could now be open to joining David Moyes at West Ham United this summer.

The Lowdown: Hammers eye striker…

As per reliable reports, the Hammers are eyeing a new forward for manager Moyes after the club failed to seal the deal during what was a whirlwind January transfer window.

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Last minute moves for the likes of Darwin Nunez (Benfica) and Duvan Zapata (Atalanta) fell through, leaving West Ham with just Michail Antonio as their only natural senior striking option for the remainder of the Premier League campaign.

For next season, club owners GSB and head of recruitment Rob Newman will be looking to change this as they reportedly set their sights on attacking targets.

One of them is Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah with the Englishman set to leave north London as a free agent past 2021/2022.

The Irons are apparently in pole position for Mikel Arteta’s ace, according to The Mail, with Crook now also making an enticing claim.

The Latest: Crook makes claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the talkSPORT reporter says Nketiah could be open to joining West Ham and a move ‘would appeal’.

He explained, when asked if the 22-year-old could eye a London Stadium move:

“Yeah, I do, because obviously he’d still be in London, still a big club, could go there and be the main man, play European football. I think that would appeal to him.

“How do you find a role for him and [Michail] Antonio in that team? I think because Antonio is not a natural centre-forward and his goals have dried up a bit since the turn of the year, I think that [bringing in Nketiah] would still work.”

The Verdict: Finalise it?

The forward, called a ‘beast’ in training by Arteta, may well be a decent option for West Ham at zero cost.

He’s still young, a hungry player and has finished this season in fine form – scoring four goals in his last six league matches as Arsenal hope to somehow usurp Tottenham in the hunt for Champions League qualification.

It’s quite a risk free move and one that surely must be considered by Moyes.

In other news: West Ham now believe they can sign phenomenal international with agents set for imminent club talks…find out more here.

Journalist Roberto Rojas has revealed that Miguel Almiron could now leave Newcastle United this summer.

The Lowdown: Bit-part player

The 28-year-old has largely been a bit-part player this season, having only featured 32 times in total across all competitions, playing the full 90 minutes on just five occasions (Transfermarkt). Four of those were in the Magpies’ first four league games of the campaign.

With the riches at their disposal, and the amount that they spent in the January transfer window, the St James’ Park outfit will be expected to strengthen heavily again this summer, which means players like Almiron may be shown the door in order to make room for new arrivals.

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The Latest: Almiron could leave Newcastle

Taking to Twitter, Rojas has revealed that Almiron would like to play a ‘huge’ part at Newcastle next term, with as many as four clubs ‘interested’ in signing the Paraguay international should he decide to leave.

The journalist stated: “Sources tell me that Miguel Almiron is highly praised by Eddie Howe & the #NUFC brass but would also like to play a huge part at the club next season.

“Everton, Fulham, Sevilla & Napoli are among the clubs interested in the Paraguay international should a transfer be needed.”

The Verdict: Sell

Almiron currently holds a market value of £14.4m, and at 28 years of age, he is in his prime.

When you also consider his ample Premier League experience, Newcastle could demand a sizeable fee for him, so this summer seems like the best time to part ways if the Paraguayan would prefer more regular action elsewhere.

The midfielder is likely to have his game-time limited even further if and when new signings come in this summer, so for his sake, he should be looking for a move away in order to play more regularly.

In other news, NUFC have now scheduled a meeting over potentially signing this transfer target

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has had his say on the Celtic pursuit of highly-rated Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo. 

The lowdown: Hoops’ interested

A February report from Bristol World claimed that the Hoops had sent scouts to watch Semenyo in action with a view to making a possible move in the summer transfer window.

Since then, the 22-year-old has remained sporadically linked with a move to the Glasgow giants as Ange Postecoglou looks to strengthen the options at his disposal at Lennoxtown.

Now as the window prepares to kick into gear, one reputable journalist has had his say on the prospect of Semenyo arriving at Celtic Park…

The latest: ‘Good piece of business’

Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke suggested that the capture of the talented forward could perhaps replicate that of Moussa Dembele’s signing back in 2016.

He explained: “He’s done well at Bristol City, whether he could have the same impact as Moussa Dembele had when he arrived from Fulham, that’s up for debate because Dembele was a real top signing for Celtic when they did get him.

“He showed that with his goals under Brendan Rodgers that helped them win so many trophies and also played in the Champions League as well. So, I think Semenyo does look a good player, and if Celtic could land him, I think it could be a good piece of business.”

The verdict: Make it happen

Whether or not Semenyo has the capabilities to emulate Dembele is neither here nor there as the plethora of goal-scorers across the pitch means Postecoglou isn’t reliant on one regular contributor in the same way Rodgers looked towards the Frenchman.

In 2021/22, David Turnbull, Kyogo Furuhashi, Jota, Liel Abada and Giorgos Giakoumakis all reached double figures for the Bhoys, whilst January signing Daizen Maeda ended the campaign on eight strikes in just 22 outings.

During the same campaign, Semenyo scored eight times and provided 12 assists in 31 Championship appearances, showing an ability to find the net as well as turn provider for those around him.

Therefore, adding the youngster hailed as a ‘star in the making’ by Martin Keown following a FA Cup victory over Leicester City in 2019 to the squad would be a superb coup for Celtic.

In other news, a journalist has provided a key Celtic transfer update. Read more here.

Bertrand Traore, Douglas Luiz and Morgan Sanson could all leave Aston Villa this summer. 

That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones, who was writing for GiveMeSport.

The lowdown

Villa paid £17m to sign Traore from Lyon in September 2020 but his future is already in doubt after he made just one start (and eight substitute appearances) in the most recent Premier League campaign.

Sanson is an even more recent acquisition, having joined from Marseille in a £14m deal in January 2021. He also found opportunities hard to come by in 2021/22, with just three starts and seven run-outs from the bench.

Luiz was in the same price bracket – a £15m addition from Manchester City in 2019 – but has played far more often. The Brazilian started 31 of Villa’s 38 top-flight matches, seemingly regarded as a key player by both Dean Smith and Steven Gerrard.

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The latest

Jones addressed Villa’s prospective summer transfer business in a Q&A with GiveMeSport.

He claimed that ‘there has to be doubt’ over whether Traore will be a Villa player next season, adding that Sanson ‘looks sure’ to leave the Midlands outfit just 18 months on from his arrival.

However, perhaps the real surprise for Villa supporters would be the potential exit of Luiz, ‘who seems to be one they could move on’, according to the transfer insider.

The verdict

On the one hand, Villa could make healthy money from offloading these players. Transfermarkt value them at a combined £62.1m, and that could give Gerrard considerably more spending power as he targets a further three singings.

Still, some Villa fans may be sad to see Luiz go. After all, this is a player that Pep Guardiola, the manager of reigning league champions Manchester City, called ‘important’, ‘clever with the ball’ and ‘physically strong’.

Meanwhile, former Villa marksman Gabriel Agbonlahor said in March that the ‘outstanding’ Luiz has looked a ‘transformed’ player.

However, it seems that the recent arrival of Boubacar Kamara from Marseille could spell the end of the Brazilian’s time at Villa, with Gerrard ruthlessly plotting a clearout over the summer.

In other news, Villa are exploring a move for this striker. 

An update has emerged regarding Sunderland’s interest in signing Dion Sanderson in the upcoming summer transfer window… 

What’s the talk?

According to The Northern Echo, the Black Cats are keen on a swoop to bring the 22-year-old back to the club as Kristjaan Speakman plots a bid to improve Alex Neil’s squad.

The report claims that the 6 foot 3 tank does not feature in Wolves’ plans for the 2022/23 campaign, with the Premier League club willing to let him go in the coming months.

Sunderland are now prepared to offer Sanderson a way out of Molineux and are open to either a loan or permanent deal for the defender.

He’ll get the Stadium of Light rocking

Bringing Sanderson back for a second spell on Wearside will get the stadium rocking, as he enjoyed an excellent time on loan at the club in the 2020/21 campaign.

The centre-back played 26 times in League One that season and averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 6.92. He won 61% of his individual duels in total and made 1.9 tackles and interceptions per game as he caught the eye at the back, earning plaudits from his manager at the time.

Former Black Cats boss Lee Johnson previously lauded the defender, saying: “He’s a centre-half and at his age level he is an absolute Rolls-Royce.”

Sanderson’s statistics and his ex-manager’s comments suggest that the 22-year-old impressed during his time on loan at Sunderland two years ago, and that is why the fans would surely love to see him back. The stadium would be rocking with excitement to see him in action again, particularly after the club’s recent promotion.

The 22-year-old has Championship experience from his time on loan at Birmingham and QPR in the second tier last term. He recorded 26 appearances between the two clubs and made 2.8 tackles and interceptions per match as he picked up valuable game-time throughout the campaign, which means that he knows what it takes to perform at that level.

Sanderson also still has plenty of scope for further improvement as he is in the early throes of his career at the age of 22. He is a player with whom Neil can work over time on the training pitch to help him fulfill his potential as a centre-back.

Hopefully Speakman can get this deal over the line and the fans can look forward to seeing him in Sunderland colours again next season.

AND in other news, “Expected imminently”: Sky Sports journalist drops big Sunderland claim, supporters will love it…

Erik ten Hag is reportedly plotting a shock move for Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount this summer and if he were to join Manchester United, he could be Bruno Fernandes 2.0 at Old Trafford.

It was reported recently that United are keeping an eye on the England international’s contract situation at Stamford Bridge following their recent takeover, with suggestions that they have already made contact with the player’s camp.

They also suggest that ten Hag has been following his progress since a loan spell with Vitesse Arnhem, and claim that Mount would jump at the chance to move to the north-west.

If he were to make the switch this summer, then the 23-year-old could be a superb addition to ten Hag’s squad, and could even replicate the performances of Fernandes.

The Portugal international has contributed 50 goals and 39 assists for the Red Devils since joining from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020.

Fbref suggests that Mount is very similar to the Portuguese midfielder, while WhoScored suggests that both Mount and Fernandes’ strengths include key passes and long shots, while both prefer to play layoffs.

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The 23-year-old has established himself as a key player for Chelsea following an impressive loan spell with Derby County in the Championship, where he contributed 11 goals and six assists in 44 appearances.

He has since gone on to make 160 appearances for the Blues, in which he has notched 30 goals and 31 assists, an impressive return for someone so young.

Former Chelsea man Joe Cole was full of praise for Mount after he starred in the 7-0 demolition of Norwich last season, saying:

“He doesn’t [get the credit] he deserves – he does from people within the game. I’ve never met one ex-player or one coach who doesn’t appreciate him.

“He’s a top, top outstanding player, he’s becoming one of the most important players in the country.

“But there is an unusual level of fans – I don’t know if it’s rival fans or whatever – who don’t quite get it.

“You want to sit them down in front of a touchscreen and educate them and show them that what this kid does is just unbelievable.”

Reports have suggested that Mount is valued at £70m by Chelsea but considering he is only 23, and seems to perform on a similar level as Fernandes, he could prove to be a superb addition to ten Hag’s side.

And, in other news… MUFC now “interested” in signing “unreal” 52-goal star, just imagine him & Ronaldo

Liverpool have been named as a potential destination for Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, with the youngster facing an uncertain future in Turin.

What’s the word?

As per Calciomercato, the Merseyside outfit ‘should not be overlooked’ in the race for the 22-year-old’s signature, with the centre-back potentially up for grabs with just two years remaining on his existing contract.

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The Netherlands international – who signed from Ajax in a £67.5m deal three years ago – reportedly has a €125m (£107m) release clause in his existing contract which can be activated this summer, although that figure will rise to €140m (£119.5m) in 2023.

This follows reports last week that suggested the Premier League side were interested in a deal for the 37-cap colossus, albeit with Jurgen Klopp and co unsurprisingly not alone in their interest.

Klopp’s next Van Dijk

Any potential deal could see the former Borussia Dortmund boss land his next Virgil van Dijk, with the 55-year-old having already enjoyed success in bringing one Dutchman to Anfield in recent times.

Signed on a £75m deal from Southampton in 2018, the current Reds star has gone on to prove a talismanic figure for the club in recent seasons, playing a vital part in the Champions League triumph in 2019 and the subsequent league title success the following season.

Hailed as the “best centre-half of all time” by pundit Michael Owen, the 30-year-old has hardly put a foot wrong in his 181 appearances for the club in all competitions, with his impact having been felt most notably during his lengthy spell out with injury during the 2020/21 campaign, with Klopp’s men suffering as a result.

The commanding, 6 foot 4 leader is an almost impenetrable asset and arguably one of the most accomplished players in his position in Europe, notably ranking in the top 8% for aerials won and the top 7% for pass completion in comparison to his continental peers.

While it has proven a tricky stint in Italy for De Ligt, the £63m-rated gem is undoubtedly a real defensive force in his own right, with the Reds unlikely to find a better long-term heir to Van Dijk than his compatriot.

Dubbed a “monster” by David Amoyal, the £200k-per-week giant initially burst onto the scene as a teenager at Ajax, leading a youthful side – managed by new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag – to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2019 and putting himself firmly on the map in the process.

A “brutal” defender – in the words of one journalist – the former Golden Boy recipient is a menace in both boxes and plays with a maturity that belies his years, with it hard to believe that is still only 22.

His youth means he has plenty of time left to kick on again should he opt for a new home in the near future, with Liverpool offering the perfect platform for him to be a success – he only has to look at the impact that his international colleague has made.

AND in other news: Bid made: FSG now in LFC talks to land “world class” £60m “storm”, imagine him & Nunez

Manchester United have taken ‘concrete steps’ to sign Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to Calciomercato.

The Lowdown: De Ligt at Juventus

The Netherlands international has been on the books in Turin since 2019 after leaving Ajax in a deal worth £76.95m. Still just 22 years of age, the centre-back has made 117 appearances for Juventus, winning three trophies.

Italian football expert Carlo Garganese described De Ligt as an ‘absolute monster’, and as the centre-back enters the final two years of his contract, it looks as if a summer exit could be on the cards.

The Latest: Talks held

Calciomercato shared an update on Tuesday afternoon regarding De Ligt.

They claimed that both United and their rivals Manchester City have taken ‘concrete steps with the player’s entourage’ but are yet to make an official offer. Juventus would want at least €70m (£60m) to part ways with the centre-back.

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The Verdict: Help with De Jong move?

United’s priority target is still Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who is close friends with De Ligt, especially during their time at Ajax.

A move for De Ligt could well help United in their pursuit of De Jong, and signing the duo could be a masterstroke by Erik ten Hag.

He knows how to get the best out of the pair, and with former Red Devils goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar likening De Ligt to Cristiano Ronaldo for his mentality and application in the gym, a move for the defender could be just as important as any potential swoop for his midfield compatriot.

Considering that United conceded 57 goals in 38 Premier League games last season, strenghtening at the back is a must for Ten Hag this summer.