Cristiano Ronaldo would, according to Teddy Sheringham, “bite your hand off” for the chance to represent Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup.

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Guardiola's side will be competing for global crownSpecial transfer window set to open before eventUnited legend CR7 already linked with Inter MiamiFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

With that expanded competition being added to a packed schedule in the summer of 2025, clubs involved are being given a special transfer window in which to do business. Short-term deals are allowed that could see players snapped up on contracts which only run for a matter of weeks.

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It has already been suggested that Portuguese superstar Ronaldo could be targeted by Inter Miami for such an agreement, allowing him to play alongside eternal rival Lionel Messi for the first time in their record-shattering careers.

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Premier League giants City are also heading to the CWC and are currently sweating on the fitness of star striker Erling Haaland – with the prolific Norwegian frontman nursing an ankle injury that could rule him out of more trophy bids.

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Getty ImagesWHAT TEDDY SHERINGHAM SAID

Could Pep Guardiola be tempted to make a play for Manchester United legend Ronaldo? Ex-Red Devils forward Sheringham told when presented with that question: “I mean, Man United fans wouldn't be happy. If the figures add up, Ronaldo would probably jump at the chance. He can definitely score a goal, can't he? That, there's no denying.

“Yeah, they looked a little bit lost without their focal point (in the Manchester derby), didn't they? They didn't have that same flow to their team, but I don't know.

“Wow, I've not even thought about that, Ronaldo would definitely be excited by it. That would be funny. I bet if you offered him the chance to go to Man City, he would bite your hand off.”

Leeds United return to Championship action today as they prepare to welcome Sheffield Wednesday to Elland Road after their FA Cup match last weekend.

Harrogate Town visited West Yorkshire for the third round clash and Daniel Farke’s side needed a second-half header from Largie Ramazani to secure progress through to the fourth round in that tie.

The Whites will now be focused on the league and ensuring that they return to the top of the Championship table by securing all three points this afternoon in the early kick-off.

Leeds, as you can see in the highlights above, dropped two points in their last outing in the second tier, conceding two goals late on to throw a two-goal lead away against Hull.

The January transfer window has been open for business for over two weeks and Farke could look to dip into the market to bolster his squad, to ensure that they do not have many more slip-ups in the race for automatic promotion in the second half of the season.

One player who has been linked with a January switch to link up with the German head coach at Elland Road is Emiliano Buendia, who worked with him at Norwich City.

The latest on Emi Buendia to Leeds United

Speaking on The View podcast on Thursday, as relayed by LeedsUnitedNews, journalist Ben Jacobs revealed that the Whites will need to be creative to secure a deal to bring the Argentina international to West Yorkshire before the end of the window.

The journalist has ruled out an immediate permanent move to join Leeds this month, but revealed that there could be a deal to be done as part of a loan with an obligation in the summer.

Jacobs was quoted as saying: “Villa are open to a permanent sale but that’s not for Leeds right now.

“Or, more-likely, a loan with an option or obligation. A loan with an option would be Leeds paying 100% of the wages, not something Leeds want to do. An obligation, they may be more flexible with the wages.”

Villa reportedly paid a fee of up to £38m to sign the Argentine whiz from Norwich in the summer of 2021 and Jacobs does not believe that the Whites would be willing to pay the kind of money they would want to recoup from that this month.

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However, it appears as though there could be an opening for Leeds to get a deal over the line for Buendia if they can reach an agreement with Villa over a loan, with some of his wages covered for this season, which includes an obligation for the move to become permanent if they are promoted this year.

Signing the Villans ace, who can play as an attacking midfielder or out wide on the right, could put a few of the current squad on their toes, including Brenden Aaronson.

Brenden Aaronson's form this season

The USA international returned to Elland Road in the summer after his spell out on loan with Union Berlin last season and came back with the ambition of turning his career at the club around, having been relegated from the Premier League in his first campaign in England.

It has not been a perfect season for the 24-year-old attacking midfield, so far, but he has done more than enough to show that he can be a valuable member of the squad, certainly at Championship level.

24/25 Championship

Brenden Aaronson

Starts

24

xG

7.55

Goals

7

Big chances created

6

Assists

2

Key passes per game

1.5

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Aaronson has contributed with 13 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 24 starts in the second tier, although he has slightly underperformed against his xG.

The American midfielder has been unfortunate to only register two assists in those 24 starts, as his teammates have not made the most of the six ‘big chances’ that he has created for them this term.

Despite his relatively strong form in the Championship since his return to the club in the summer, Farke and Leeds could land a huge upgrade on Aaronson by sealing a creative deal to sign Buendia this month.

Why Buendia would be a big Aaronson upgrade

The 28-year-old star missed 56 matches last season due to an ACL injury and has racked up three goals in 18 matches in all competitions for Villa’s first-team and U21 side combined this term.

Buendia, who was once hailed as “magical” by analyst Liam Henshaw, had managed nine goals and eight assists in the Premier League in his first two seasons with Villa prior to that lengthy injury absence.

Before his move to Villa Park in 2021, the Argentine sensation thrived under Leeds boss Daniel Farke during their time together at Carrow Road, winning two Championship titles under the German boss.

In the 2018/19 campaign, Buendia scored eight goals and provided 12 assists in 35 starts as the Canaries won the division and earned promotion to the Premier League.

Norwich were then relegated straight back down to the Championship and the right-footed playmaker stepped his game up another level to be the main man for the Yellows.

20/21 Championship

Emi Buendia

Appearances

39

Goals

15

Big chances created

18

Key passes per game

3.1

Assists

16

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, Buendia enjoyed an extraordinary year in the second tier that term with 33 goals and ‘big chances’ created combined in 39 appearances for Norwich.

These statistics illustrate the kind of quality he could provide in the final third for Leeds at this level, especially given that he would be working under the same manager who got the best out of him in the past.

Related Leeds eyeing Bamford upgrade who's a "20 to 25 goal-a-season striker"

Leeds United have been linked with an interest in the Championship attacker.

Posts ByDan Emery Jan 13, 2025

Buendia has the ability to come in as a huge upgrade on Aaronson by offering more quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals, given that his form from the 2020/21 campaign saw him score and create far more frequently than the American ace has this season.

If they brought him in with an obligation to sign him permanently upon promotion, they would also be signing a player who has showcased quality at Premier League level, prior to his injury, whilst Aaronson was ranked the lowest-rated player in the Premier League by Sofascore in the 2022/23 campaign.

Champions chase down Northern Superchargers’ seemingly imposing target with ease

ECB Reporters Network11-Aug-2022Lauren Winfield-Hill haunted her former team-mates as Oval Invincibles began their title defence with an emphatic nine-wicket win over Northern Superchargers in the first game of the 2022 women’s Hundred.The England opener plundered an unbeaten 74 from 42 balls with one six and 11 fours, sharing an opening stand of 104 with New Zealander Suzie Bates as the hosts cantered to a target of 144 with 16 balls to spare.The successful chase came after Superchargers posted 143 for 5 courtesy of 51 from one of the stars of the 2021 Hundred Jemimah Rodrigues and 49 from Laura Wolvaardt, Ryana Macdonald-Gay the pick of the host’s attack with 2 for 25.Alyssa Healy, fresh from her gold medal at the Commonwealth Games got Superchargers off to an explosive start after they were invited to bat first, clearing the ropes as she plundered 14 from the first set of five from Mady Villiers.The fun though didn’t last long as she lofted spinner Sophia Smale’s third ball to Alice Capsey at mid-off and the England starlet – on her 18th birthday – was soon in the action again with ball in hand, dismissing Beth Heath cheaplyThereafter Rodrigues took centre-stage, sweeping powerfully, but also playing the cut shot with great finesse. She would find a willing ally in South Africa’s Wolvaardt who survived a close call for a stumping and a rapid ball from Shabnim Ismail as the duo shared a fourth-wicket stand of 66.Rodrigues reached 50 from 31 balls with a glorious late cut only to hole out next ball off the impressive Macdonald-Gay and Superchargers went 20 balls without a boundary before some late blows from Wolvaardt took them to a seemingly imposing score.Bates and Winfield-Hill though set about a record chase with relish, the former striking Lucy Higham for successive fours, while the latter clouted a short one from Beth Langston over the ropes.Bates was given a life on 10 when Katie Levick shelled the simplest of catches off the bowling of Linsey Smith and as if one reprieve wasn’t enough Bates was missed again in the next set when Jenny Gunn failed to cling on to a tough caught and bowled.Scares survived the pair forged on reaching 69 for 0 at halfway and the strategic time out did little to dent their momentum, Bates sweeping Davidson-Richards behind square for six. Winfield-Hill matched Rodrigues in reaching 50 in 31 balls and with Bates now in full flow the 100-stand was raised.It took a superb catch by Wolvaardt off Gunn to remove Bates for 46 and break the stand, but Capsey was then dropped first ball, albeit a difficult chance.It proved Superchargers’ last hope as Capsey joined in the fun with a rapid 25 from just eight balls, hitting four consecutive fours to complete a dominant win.

نجح فريق الاتحاد في خطف فوز كبير على نظيره الفيحاء، يثلاثية دون رد، خلال المباراة التي انتهت منذ قليل ببطولة الدوري السعودي.

والتقى الاتحاد مع الفيحاء، على أرضية ملعب مدينة الأمير عبد الله الفيصل الرياضية، ضمن مواجهات الجولة 31 لبطولة دوري روشن.

وافتتح كريم بنزيما التسجيل في الدقيقة 24، من تسديدة رائعة بين 3 لاعبين من فريق الفيحاء سددها بنزيما ببراعة لداخل الشباك.

طالع أيضاً.. فيديو | الشباب يكسر شوكة الأهلي بثلاثية مثيرة في الدوري السعودي

وسجل كريم بنزيما الهدف الثاني في الدقيقة 54، بعد تمريرة من عبد الرحمن علي العبود قابلها بنزيما بتصويبة لداخل الشباك.

وفي الدقيقة 76 أضاف محمد كريم البقعاوي الهدف الثالث للاتحاد بالخطأ في مرماه، أثناء محاولته تشتيت الكرة، لكنها ارتطمت به وسكنت الشباك.

بهذا الفوز، يحتل الاتحاد صدارة ترتيب جدول الدوري السعودي برصيد 74 نقطة، ويأتي الفيحاء بالمركز الرابع عشر، ولديه 33 نقطة. أهداف مباراة الاتحاد والفيحاء في الدوري السعودي

بثلاثية في شباك الفيحاء… 3 نقاط تفصل الاتحاد عن التتويج بلقب الدوري 🏆

شاهد أهداف المباراة ⤵️📺#دوري_روشن_السعودي #الاتحاد_الفيحاء | #SSC pic.twitter.com/ZrYkJYlncm — SSC (@ssc_sports) May 11, 2025

Ashleigh Gardner a big gainer across all three charts after key contributions in both Australia’s games so far

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Aug-2022

Smriti Mandhana scored an unbeaten half-century against Pakistan•Getty Images

Smriti Mandhana’s unbeaten 42-ball 63 against Pakistan in the Commonwealth Games has taken her one spot up to third in the women’s T20I rankings for batters.Mandhana’s power-packed half-century helped her go past Sophie Devine into the top three, and within two rating points of Beth Mooney, who is placed second. Meg Lanningis top of the pile.Related

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Mandhana has been No. 3 on the T20I batters’ list previously as well – first in 2019 and more recently in October last year.The rankings were updated after six T20Is at the Commonwealth Games. Suzie Bates, on the back of her 91 not out off 64 balls against South Africa, jumped two slots, leapfrogging Alyssa Healy and Chamari Athapaththu to move to sixth place.Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a half-century in the CWG opener against Australia, moved four places to 14th position.Ashleigh Gardner, the Australia allrounder, was one of the biggest gainers, moving in all three T20I lists. Her match-winning 52 not out in the opening game against India propelled her five places to 11th on the batters’ list. She then shone with the ball against Barbados, returning 2 for 6 in a crushing nine-wicket win that saw her jump from 45th to 26th on the bowlers’ list. Gardner also moved to a career-best third on the allrounders’ rankings – a jump of four places.On the bowlers’ table, Jess Jonassen, who returned 4 for 22 against India, moved up two spots to fourth position, with Sophie Ecclestone still in the lead.Megan Schutt and Amelia Kerr have moved up one spot each to seventh and eighth respectively. Hayley Matthews is the lone new face in the top ten of the bowlers’ rankings, replacing Ayabonga Khaka.

Double century-maker Ollie Robinson hit Kent’s highest individual score in List A cricket as they chased down a 352 target with 5.1 overs to spare in their opening Royal London Cup encounter with Worcestershire at New Road.Robinson seized upon the opportunity presented by Kent captain Sam Billings and Jordan Cox’s inclusion for the Hundred after spending the 2022 Vitality Blast on loan to Durham, surpassing the previous best Kent performance in 50 over cricket of 150 not out by Joe Denly against Glamorgan at Canterbury four years ago.A lofted cover drive for four against Josh Baker took Robinson to his double ton from 130 balls and was the cue for a standing ovation all around the ground and he ended on 206 not out.Former Kent Academy player Kashif Ali had scored an impressive 114 on his List A debut for Worcestershire who recovered from 36 for 4 to post what looked like a formidable total. But Robinson received superb support from Ben Compton during a stand of 204, Kent’s highest second wicket partnership against any County in this format of the game.It was a reversal of what happened in last summer’s corresponding fixture when Worcestershire chased down a 323 target.Former Worcestershire pace bowler Matt Henry, in his only match in the competition before linking up with New Zealand, struck a treble blow as the home side slumped to 36 for 4 after opting to bat.Ed Pollock edged the first ball of the innings to second slip, captain Brett D’Oliveira picked out square leg and Jake Libby was taken at short extra cover in an opening spell by Henry of 6-20-3.With Azhar Ali lbw working to leg off Grant Stewart, Kent were very much in the ascendancy before Kashif and Barnard began their rescue act. Runs flowed at a rapid rate once Henry had been removed from the attack and it is testament to Kashif’s rapid elevation that he looks completely at home at this level.He completed a 49-ball half-century and then a regal back foot drive square of the wicket off Hamid Qadri took Barnard to that milestone from 56 deliveries.No one was able to stem the stream of boundaries and the fifth wicket pair had plundered 175 from 28 overs when Barnard, on 79, fell to a head high catch at mid-off against Matt Quinn. It surpassed Worcestershire’s previous best fifth wicket List A partnership of 169 by Ben Cox and George Rhodes against Yorkshire at New Road in 2019.Kashif went onto complete his century with a clip through midwicket in the same over and had moved onto 114 from 99 balls when he drilled Qadri to mid-off where Quinn took a fine low catch.But there was no let-up for Kent with Ben Cox, on his return to action after taking a break for mental health reasons, and Joe Leach adding 74 in just 7.5 overs. Leach had made 48 off just 28 deliveries when he lofted Quinn to deep midwicket but Cox went onto a 43-ball half-century with two sixes and three fours in a vintage knock.When Kent batted, left arm seamer, Ben Gibbon, struck an early blow when Joey Evison turned the ball off his hips straight to fine leg. But then the dominance of bat over ball then resumed after Robinson and Compton came together.Robinson was in particularly destructive form against seam or spin and he reached three figures when lofting D’Oliveira for his 13th four in addition to striking three sixes.The partnership of 204 in 28 overs ended when Compton, on 75, pulled D’Oliveira down Barnard’s throat at deep midwicket.Alex Blake was strangled down the leg side off Dillon Pennington but there was no let-up from Robinson. He reached his double-hundred with a lofted off drive against Baker from just 130 balls with six sixes and 26 fours.

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes that Arsenal's 3-0 lead over Real Madrid "won't be enough" to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

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• Gunners secured stunning 3-0 win
• Second leg set for Spain next week
• Ferdinand does not believe tie is over

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Ferdinand has claimed that Real Madrid can overturn a 3-0 deficit against Arsenal in their Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Bernabeu. Two sensational free-kicks from Declan Rice and a fine finish from Mikel Merino have put Mikel Arteta's side in an incredible position to reach the semi-finals, but Ferdinand isn't so sure.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

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  Real, of course, boast some of the finest attacking talent in the world, with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Karim Benzema all at Carlo Ancelotti's disposal. Ferdinand, as such, believes they can cancel out Arsenal's advantage.

• WHAT RIO FERDINAND SAID

  Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former England defender said: "I don't think three goals is going to be enough. Look, I don't know how good this version of Real Madrid is. But I do know that when you've got the forward players that they've got, you can score three goals at home against Arsenal. If this was September or October, I'd say done and dusted, but this time of year, knockout stages, they find a little bit more."

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  WHAT NEXT?

  Arsenal may rotate against Brentford on Saturday ahead of next week's second leg against Madrid.

One member of Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United squad won’t play another game for the Portuguese manager this season, it has been reported, as the former Sporting CP coach looks to place his mark on the Red Devils squad.

Could Man Utd be relegated?

A defeat in their most recent Premier League outing against Brighton left Ruben Amorim claiming that the current crop of Red Devils were the worst side in the club’s history, as they sit in 13th place in the top flight.

“In 10 games in the Premier League, we won two,” he told reporters after the latest defeat. “We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know that you want headlines, but I’m saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that.”

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With just 26 points at this stage relegation remains a possibility, though in truth it is very unlikely, with the Red Devils still having a 10 point gap to Ipswich Town, who currently occupy the last spot in the relegation zone.

January seems unlikely to bring massive changes though, with the focus largely on outgoings this month as the club look to balance their books. Tyrell Malacia is free to leave on loan, while Marcus Rashford has been frozen out and is likely to leave before the end of the transfer window, or risk not playing football for six months.

Elsewhere, Alejandro Garnacho is the subject of strong speculation amid links to Serie A giants Napoli, who are looking to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this month, and some reports even claim that the Argentine has agreed personal terms over an Old Trafford exit. Meanwhile, another Man Utd forward appears to have played his last game for the club this season.

Manchester United agree loan deal, but no buy clause included

That comes as Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United forward Antony is set to complete a loan move to Real Betis after failing to impress Ruben Amorim, but will return to the club this summer as there is no buy option/clause in the agreement.

The Brazilian missed an open goal against Southampton in midweek when handed a rare opportunity to nail down a spot in Amorim’s side from the substitutes bench, having failed to start a Premier League game under the new Red Devils boss.

Though the £86m signing still has two and a half years left to run on his mammoth £200,000 a week deal at Old Trafford, there is now a “verbal agreement in place between all parties” for him to head to LaLiga for the second half of the season. The club have missed the opportunity to shift him for good and bring in a fee, which would help fund incoming deals.

Appearances

62

Goals

5

Assists

3

Yellow Cards

10

Cost per goal contribution

£10.75m

Antony will return to Manchester at the end of the campaign with two years left to run on his contract, and while Amorim clearly has plans to look elsewhere in attack, the more his contract ticks down the harder it will be for INEOS to bank a decent fee from his exit.

Will Manchester United be able to find a club willing to take the 24-year-old’s hefty wages off their books permanently in the summer?

Tottenham Hotspur officials are ready to pursue a potential £29 million January deal, as club chairman Daniel Levy looks to back Ange Postecoglou with another fresh face before deadline day.

Tottenham could make three January signings for Ange Postecoglou

The first arrival of this window, 21-year-old goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, enjoyed what was likely to be one of the best nights of his life on Wednesday evening.

£50m player now interested in joining Tottenham after initial January talks

Ange Postecoglou is pressuring the club to act quickly.

2 ByEmilio Galantini Jan 7, 2025

The £12.5 million Czech shot-stopper made his full debut for Spurs and kept a clean sheet as Postecoglou’s side beat Liverpool 1-0 in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with Kinsky earning real plaudits for his display.

Arsenal (away)

January 15

Everton (away)

January 19

Leicester City (home)

January 26

Brentford (away)

February 2

Man United (home)

February 16

It also highlighted a brilliant bit of talent-spotting by technical director Johan Lange, who is now reportedly looking to add a few more key signings before February 3.

Spurs are actively exploring a possible move for Randal Kolo Muani, with the France international deemed surplus to requirements by manager Luis Enrique as the Lilywhites, Man United and Juventus look to poach the forward.

As well as Kolo Muani, there are rumours that Postecoglou’s side are in the market for a new midfielder and centre-back, with Levy and Lange potentially adding up to three major signings this month.

“They have already told the manager that they will do something. So I expect January to be busy for Spurs,” said reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano to GiveMeSport just before the window opened.

“I think it could be two signings, maybe three, I’m not sure, but it will depend on opportunities. But Tottenham are exploring options, Tottenham are actively working on scouting and following players. So I think for Tottenham it will be a busy month.”

In terms of the engine room, Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi continues to be linked.

Tottenham ready to do business with Inter over signing Davide Frattesi

The Italy international is valued at around £29 million, according to TUTTOmercatoWEB (via Sport Witness), who also share an update on Tottenham’s interest.

Other reports have claimed that Frattesi has been offered out to Spurs by intermediaries, who are actively seeking a new club for the 25-year-old, and TMW state that the north Londoners are prepared to take them up on it.

Indeed, it is believed that Tottenham are ready “to get down to business” over signing Frattesi, potentially meaning they’re preparing to head to the negotiating table or make some sort of approach for his services.

Roma and Napoli are fellow contenders, but Spurs’ interest is described as concrete. Frattesi and his camp are also set for a key meeting with Inter in the next few days to discuss his future, where all parties will decide whether a January deal is indeed feasible.

The ex-Sassuolo sensation has been likened to Italy star Nicolo Barella in the past, and his £29m price tag could make him an appealing option to reinforce Postecoglou’s midfield options.

Chelsea moved back up to fourth place in the Premier League on Monday night with their 3-1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues are now two points ahead of champions Manchester City, in fifth, and are four points behind Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in second and third.

Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Cucurella, and Noni Madueke all got their names on the scoresheet against Wolves, with two second-half goals needed after Robert Sanchez’s calamitous mistake left them drawing 1-1 at the break.

Enzo Maresca’s side are fighting for a place in the Champions League for the 2025/26 campaign and are well on track to achieve their goal, as they sit in fourth as it stands.

However, the former Manchester City assistant coach may want to give his team the best chance possible to finish in the top four by utilising the January transfer window to bolster his squad.

There are some deals, however, that the Blues, for a myriad of reasons, may decide to leave until the summer to get over the line, including one for a player currently contracted to one of their Premier League rivals.

Chelsea eyeing deal for Serie A star

According to a report in Italy, Chelsea have enquired about the possibility of a deal to sign left-back Nuno Tavares, who is currently on loan at Lazio from Arsenal.

The Portuguese defender is on loan at the Italian team but they have an obligation to make the deal permanent for a reported fee of around £7.5m at the end of this season.

This latest report claims that the Blues are now interested in a swoop to immediately snap him up from Lazio after they formally complete that obligation in the summer, which means that the Serie A side could make an instant profit on him ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

It reveals that Lazio are not currently looking to sell Tavares after they sign him permanently, but adds that they would be open to ‘unmissable’ offers for his services.

The report also reveals that Chelsea’s enquiry came during talks over a potential move to Rome for Cesare Casadei, which suggests that the Blues could give themselves an advantage in the race for the left-back by negotiating a reasonable deal for the Italian midfielder.

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Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

It adds that other, unnamed, teams have also been attracted to the Lazio star’s form on loan in the Serie A this season, which means that the Premier League side may need to move quickly in the summer to get a deal over the line for the left-footed ace.

The Blues must, now, push to get a deal done at the end of the season because Tavares could be an excellent addition to the squad, given his form in the Italian top-flight this season.

Nuno Tavares' form this season

It is fair to say that his time in the Premier League did not go to plan the first time around, as he only started 18 matches in the 2021/22 and 2023/24 campaigns for Arsenal and Nottingham Forest combined.

Tavares was only young, though, at 21 and 23 respectively, and may have needed that experience to develop and improve as a player, by learning from his mistakes.

His form in the Serie A for Lazio so far this season suggests that he has turned a corner in his career and is now living up to the potential that Arsenal seemingly saw in him when they initially brought him to The Emirates.

The 24-year-old star, who has been described as “unstoppable” and “one of the signings of the season” by The Athletic’s James Horncastle, has caught the eye with his impressive performances in Italy this term.

Appearances (starts)

16 (15)

Big chances created

7

Assists

8

Dribbles completed per game

2.1

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.3

Duel success rate

53%

As you can see in the table above, Tavares has been an assist-machine for Lazio in the Serie A this season, with more than one assist every other start on average.

The £60k-per-week star could provide Maresca with a different type of left-back option next season, with Cucurella capable of inverting into central areas, and Tavares able to bomb down the outside on the left flank to provide a creative threat when needed.

Signing that type of explosive, direct, left-back to play when the gamestate requires it would also supercharge current Chelsea forward Jadon Sancho on the left flank.

Why Nuno Tavares would supercharge Jadon Sancho

The Manchester United loanee, who is due to join permanently in the summer, would thrive alongside an attack-minded left-back who wants to get down the outside to provide crosses and passes into the box, for several reasons.

Firstly, Sancho is a fantastic link player who makes good decisions on the ball and plays the extra pass under pressure, which could allow him to find Tavares in space on the flank on a consistent basis.

Also, as you can see in the clip above, the England international has the potential to come infield off the left to provide a goal threat cutting in on his right-foot.

Having a left-back, like Tavares, who causes opposition defenders problems and forces them to mark him tightly could mean that there is more space for Sancho to drift inside to create more shooting opportunities for himself.

Cucurella has only provided one assist and made 0.5 key passes per match across 20 appearances in the Premier League this season, which shows that he does not offer that kind of threat in the final third to help Sancho in that respect.

Therefore, the signing of Tavares could supercharge the Englishman’s Chelsea career by providing him with a teammate who can make the most of his passing and technical qualities, as well as opening space for him to add more goals to his game.

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ByAngus Sinclair Jan 21, 2025

This is why the Blues must push hard to win the race for the Portuguese defender’s signature after Lazio sign him permanently at the end of the season.