Mohamed Salah has once again eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo’s best ever goal contribution tally in the Premier League.
The Liverpool forward has brought up his 24th goal in the top-flight this season against Aston Villa on Wednesday night.
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Salah opened the scoring in the Midlands just before the half-hour markCredit: Getty
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His strike was his 38th goal involvement in the Premier League this seasonCredit: AFP
Salah broke the deadlock in the 29th minute at Villa Park – thanks to an error from Villa full-back Andres Garcia.
Garcia’s loose pass found it’s way to Diogo Jota, who in turn ran in on goal and squared for Salah to fire home into an empty net.
Villa didn’t take long to get level with Youri Tielemans volleying in from close range on 38 minutes, with Ollie Watkins then heading the hosts ahead just before the break.
But take nothing away from Salah with the Egyptian maestro now boasting 24 goals and 14 assists from 26 matches this term.
READ MORE ON MOHAMED SALAH
Salah leads the way in terms of most goals and assists in the Premier League this campaign with the 32-year-old on course to win the PFA Player of the Year award.
And in what could be his potentially final season with the Reds, he is looking to make it his best year yet.
Going into Liveprool’s clash in the Midlands, Salah had been level with Ronaldo‘s 37 goal contributions he set during his best performing Premier League season.
That came in the 2007/08 term, where the five-time Ballon d’Or winner found the back of the net on 31 occasions, while registering six assists.
He helped Manchester United lift the Premier League and Champions League titles, with his form seeing him win his first Ballon d’Or at the end of 2008.
And Salah will be hoping it’s a good omen in his quest to fire Arne Slot’s men to glory.
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Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or following his exploits from the 2007/08 seasonCredit: Getty
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Salah will be in the running to scoop the individual honour if he carries on at this rate
Though for Salah, it’s not the first time that he has beaten Ronaldo’s impressive return from 17 years ago.
In his first season at Liverpool after joining from Roma in 2017, the ex-Chelsea man was directly involved in a whopping 42 goals.
With 32 goals, he set the record of the most amount of strikes in a 38-game season – a record which was broken by Erling Haaland‘s 36 goals from two years ago.
But with 12 games still to go in the Premier League, Salah will eyeing up breaking his own tally – and Thierry Henry‘s all-time record.
The Arsenal legend chipped in with 44 goal involvements [22 goals, 20 assists] during the 2002/03 season – the most amount in a 38-game campaign.
He is also the only player to both score and assist at least 20 times, another milestone Salah will be looking to add to his collection.
What are the lyrics to Liverpool fans’ chant for ‘The Egyptian King’ Mo Salah?
Cash-strapped Manchester United could be set for a much-needed multi-million pound windfall – thanks to former striker Mason Greenwood.
Greenwood has been banging in goals for fun since leaving Man United to join Roberto de Zerbi’s Marseille last summer.
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Greenwood has enjoyed a bright start to his Marseille career and could land Man United a financial boostCredit: Getty
The ex-England international’s hot streak of 14 goals in 22 games for the French outfit has alerted some of Europe’s biggest clubs, including the likes of PSG and Barcelona.
When United traded Greenwood with Marseille for £26.6miliion they insisted on an unusually high 50 per cent sell-on clause.
With the 23-year-old now valued at around £60m, that means United would bank in the region of £16.5m from any sale.
Bournemouth are braced for a summer battle to keep several of their star men, and manager Andoni Iraola!
The Cherries are enjoying the season of their lifetime and currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League, likely to be enough to secure a spot in the Champions League.
Their incredible rise up the table has not gone unnoticed with centre-back Dean Huijsen, who is believed to have a £50m release clause in his contract, attracting attention from Liverpool and Chelsea.
Left-back Milos Kerkez is another Cherries star on the radar of a number of top clubs, including Manchester United, along with fleet-footed forward Antoine Semenyo, who has admirers at Newcastle.
Then there is miracle-working gaffer Iraola, who talkSPORT understands would be at the top of Tottenham’s list if they parted company with Ange Postecoglou, who is under pressure with Spurs down in 12th.
With Iraola preferring to sign short-term deals and only contracted until the end of next season that could leave Bournemouth vulnerable, although sources close to the Spaniard say he is happy on the Dorset coast.
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Iraola has earned praise for his work at Bournemouth, as well as attracting the eyes of the Premier League’s big boysCredit: Getty
Why Mitoma rejected Saudi revealed
Kaoru Mitoma is a rare breed in modern football, a player who puts ambition before money.
But even if the Seagulls were tempted to cash in on their Japanese international, which they were reluctant to do, talkSPORT has been told he immediately rebuffed the notion of moving to the Middle East.
That’s because the humble 27-year-old, who could have set himself up financially for life by linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo, has his sights set on one day playing in the Champions League.
What the Saudi interest has achieved is to strengthen Brighton’s bargaining position when an elite Premier League or European club do come calling by driving up his asking price.
After being compared to Arsenal’s Dutch maestro Dennis Bergkamp following his stunning goal of the season contender against Chelsea, there is every chance the big boys could come calling.
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Mitoma turned down a life-changing move to Saudi Arabia – because he dreams of Champions League footballCredit: Getty
Spurs coach wanted by Championship club
Swansea could turn to Ryan Mason in their hunt for a new manager.
Tottenham assistant coach Mason was high on the Swans’ wanted list before they appointed Luke Williams in January last year.
And after deciding to give Williams the boot after a run of eight defeats from their last ten games, the ex-England midfielder still has admirers among the Welsh club’s hierarchy.
Mason also held talks with Anderlecht in October before deciding to stay at Spurs, so it remains to be seen if he is willing to leave now.
As talkSPORT reported on Monday, former Oxford boss Des Buckingham is also among the front-runners to replace the sacked Williams.
However, this notebook understands Russell Martin has no interest in a return to South Wales.
Martin Keown believes Ruben Amorim has LOST the Manchester United dressing room
Mohamed Salah will go down as a bigger Premier League great than Cristiano Ronaldo.
That’s the view of talkSPORT host Darren Bent, who was discussing the Liverpool forward’s legacy with special guest Emmanuel Petit on Drive.
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Salah is a true Premier League great, believes PetitCredit: Getty
Salah is facing an uncertain future with his contract at Anfield set to expire in the summer.
While Liverpool have been told that retaining the star would actually save them more than £70million, the uncertainty hasn’t had any sort of negative impact on his performances.
If anything, Salah’s performances have hit new heights with the Egyptian star scoring 27 goals and providing 19 assists in just 35 games this term.
With 345 goal involvements in 384 matches for the Merseysiders, Salah will undoubtedly be a huge miss if he does leave the club this summer.
READ MORE ON MOHAMED SALAH
That’s the view of Arsenal legend Petit, who waxed lyrical about the 32-year-old.
Asked if he’s the greatest player ever in the Premier League, Petit said: “Amazing. He’s one of them, definitely.
“He’s won everything with Liverpool so far and has been such a great player for them and it’s a joy, even if you’re not a Liverpool fan.
“That’s what the Premier League is about – getting the best players in the world and to be honest I love everything about Mo Salah.
“I love the player, I love the man, I love the image and everything. There’s nothing I don’t like about him and I’m very, very hard to please.
“For me, I’d have loved to have been his teammate because the way he plays and the link with the fans and the club – I don’t know what will happen to him at the end of this season but I hope he will stay in the Premier League because this is why I want to watch a game, because of this kind of player.
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Salah is tearing it up in what could be his final Premier League seasonCredit: Getty
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Salah has been in incredible form this season
“This guy is a joy for everything he’s done and for me, he’s the best in Premier League history. He’s one of the best, he’s among the best.
“I won’t compare to Ryan Giggs or Thierry Henry because it’s a different generation and football is not the same so I’m not comparing with 20 years ago but it’s about the emotion that these players will leave at a club.
“In 20 years time I think that people will talk about him as one of the greatest players in the Premier League.”
But while Petit wouldn’t be drawn on comparisons, Bent expressed his belief that Salah will be remembered more fondly in England than Ronaldo.
Despite closing in on 1,000 career goals, Ronaldo scored 103 times in 236 Premier League games for Manchester United, leading the ex-Tottenham forward to pile more praise on Salah.
Responding to Petit, Arsenal fan Bent added: “I agree, I think he’s one of the greatest in Premier League history.
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Bent believes that Salah has done more for the Premier League than Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Getty
Mohamed Salah vs Cristiano Ronaldo compariso
Mohamed Salah for Liverpool
Appearances: 384
Goals: 238
Assists: 107
Cristiano Ronaldo for Man United
Appearances: 346
Goals: 145
Assists: 64
“He has to be. His numbers speak for themselves.
“Obviously he’s not at the top of my list because Thierry Henry is the top of my list.
“But if I’m building an all-time Premier League team – on that right-hand side, there’s no debate.
“Even if you want to throw Ronaldo in one the right, in Premier League terms I think that Salah is better.
“If you’re talking about a career then obviously Ronaldo is one of the greatest ever, but in the Premier League, it’s Salah.”
Salah is next in action on Sunday when Liverpool face Wolves in the Premier League.
Simon Jordan SLAMS Jim White for claiming that Liverpool’s Mo Salah is MORE prolific than Arsenal legend Thierry Henry
The Reds are firmly on track to win the title this term with a seven-point advantage over Arsenal in second with 14 games remaining.
Ronaldo was matched up against Nicky Hunt who played right-back.
Speaking on Ronaldo’s birthday today, Hunt told talkSPORT: “Making your debut at Old Trafford, it’s something you dream about.
“There was speculation about this wonderkid that Man United and Alex Ferguson had signed.
“He came on at 1-0 and the rest they say is history after that.
“That’s the only way to stop him, foul him. I think I hit him twice in the first five minutes and he just brushed it off and got straight back up.
“I was in for a tough 25 minutes. When you’ve hit somebody as hard as you can and they just stand back up and give you a little wink as to say yeah is that all you got.”
The Red Devils won that game 4-0 thanks to a brace from Ryan Giggs, one goal from Paul Scholes and another from Ruud van Nistelrooij.
During the 2003/04 campaign Ronaldo appeared 29 times for Man United in the Premier League and netted 4 goals.
It would take him until the 2006/07 season to net double figures, when he scored 17 in 34 league appearances.
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Ronaldo also won three league titles under Sir Alex FergusonCredit: Getty
An improvement testament to the hard work Ronaldo put in as Hunt said.
“In my era when I was playing there were players who got to the training ground early before anybody else but not at 6am like Ronaldo did at Manchester United,” he proclaimed. “That just separated him from everybody else.”
An attitude and habit that led the Portuguese international to being arguably the best player of all time alongside Lionel Messi.
A comparison thanks to his later move to Real Madrid where he stayed for nine years, before a stint at Juventus and return to Manchester United in 2021.
He currently is still playing professional football in top condition at Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr.
“Each time I came up against him, he did get better,” continued Hunt.
Ronaldo career stats
Sporting Lisbon (2002-03): 31 games – 5 goals
Man United (2003-09) and (2021-22): 346 games – 145 goals
Real Madrid (2009-18): 438 games – 450 goals
Juventus (2018-2021): 134 games – 101 goals
Al Nassr (2023-): 89 games – 81 goals
Ronaldo had his best season at Man United from 2007 to 2008 when he secured the golden boot with 31 goals.
A season which earned him his first Ballon d’Or. An award to add alongside his Champions League, three league titles, two league cups and an FA Cup at Man United.
The former Bolton player detailed: “He was predominantly right footed so I’d show him down the line on his left. That’s the only thing you can do against a player like that. Just show him into the bodies where we have three in midfield compared to Man United’s two.
“Try and get help from your teammates because you know It’ll be difficult to mark him 1v1.”
An opinion held by the majority of full-backs unlucky enough to face off against Ronaldo.
Manchester United wingers have a hard enough time dealing with Cristiano Ronaldo comparisons without also sharing a birthday.
12 years after the mastermind behind United’s Class of 92 likened Adnan Januzaj to CR7, the only similarities that remain today are that both will be celebrating on February 5.
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Januzaj broke onto the scene in fine style at UnitedCredit: getty
Ronaldois celebrating his 40th birthday, having established himself as one of the greatest footballers in history.
CR7 was just a spotty 17-year-old when he signed for United in 2003, instantly taking the No.7 shirt on the opposite wing to Ryan Giggs.
A decade later, another teenager was given a similar honour, with Januzaj inheriting Giggs’ shirt when the Welshman retired.
Former Tottenham keeper Vigouroux was wowed by a young JanuzajCredit: talkSPORT
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A lot has changed in the last 22 years of footballCredit: Getty
“Along with Wayne Rooney, Adnan is the best young talent I’ve worked with as a manager,” Moyes told ESPN.
“He’s a wonderful player gifted with great balance and the ability to go past people with ease.
“When I see his poise on the ball he has characteristics of Johan Cruyff.”
“Januzaj is outstanding and I think he is similar to Cristiano Ronaldo,” former United youth coach Eric Harrison said in 2013.
Robin van Persie declared: “Over the years I’ve seen so many young players and I can honestly say that of all the young players I’ve seen he is right up there in the top one or two. He’s a special player.”
Januzaj scored twice on his debut against Sunderland in 2013
He explained to the Daily Mail in 2017: “There was not the same freedom. A winger needs that confidence, a manager telling you, ‘Go and take people on’. With him, it was a slow passing game.
“For some it was difficult. You could see some players were not enjoying the football. The manager and I had many difficult meetings.
“I was frustrated and everyone could see that I was not the same Adnan as the first year. I was sometimes even in the stands. When you work hard in training and then get left out, it’s hard for a young guy.
“It was not only me. As a footballer, if you think too much on the pitch, it is never good. You need instinct in your play. When the ball came to us, we had to stop and think, ‘What are we going to do with it here?’, ‘I can’t lose the ball’.”
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England manager Thomas Tuchel, who was manager of BVB in 2015-16, suggested Januzaj ‘did not show the desire and attitude you need to progress at his age’.
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Januzaj failed to score for Borussia Dortmund in 12 appearancesCredit: Getty
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He left Man United in 2017 to join Real SociedadCredit: AFP or licensors
He told Sportbild: “My feeling was that he never was completely with us, that a part of him always stayed in Manchester and he compared everything here with United.”
Januzaj was later sold by Jose Mourinho, having played 63 games, scoring just three more times in a United shirt after that debut double.
He has since struggled to make an impact at Sevilla, being farmed out on loan to Istanbul Basaksehir in Turkey and now La Liga strugglers Las Palmas.
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Januzaj has found the net twice for Las Palmas this seasonCredit: Getty
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He was powerless to stop Mbappe and Bellingham running riot last monthCredit: Getty
A sad sign of his decline was Januzaj being an unused substitute for a 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid last month, with Los Blancos boasting a team of superstars who have lived up to the hype around them as teenagers, including Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe.
There’s a parallel universe where Januzaj is among them, and Red Devils fans could have dedicated February 5 as a date to celebrate two of their greatest wingers of all time.
“I don’t think I’ve seen a player, probably since Ryan (Giggs) who was as good as that, he was unbelievable,” said former United midfielder Nicky Butt in 2019.
“In my eyes, he should have gone to be a world superstar.”
Most iconic footballers belong to one generation: a short collection of years characterised by their greatness.
The late 90s and early 2000s remind us of the original Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane, who were then dethroned by players like Ronaldinho and Kaka.
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A lot has changed in the last 22 years of football, not least what’s acceptable to wearCredit: Getty
Earlier still, Pele handed over to Johan Cruff, before Diego Maradona took the reins – each writing their own chapter in football history.
In the Premier League, we get nostalgic talking about Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, or Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, because that time feels like a distant memory.
The term ‘Barclaysmen’ was recently forced into existence on social media, as football fans remembered those players who symbolise a glorious moment in time, when the game just felt more exciting.
Highlights of Lauren Robert belters, or Jay-Jay Okocha tricks, would play over a noughties indie track, transporting us back to what felt like simpler times.
READ MORE ON CRISTIANO RONALDO
Lives have changed since then. Those primary school kids who watched Cristiano Ronaldo burst onto that wonderful scene are now having kids of their own.
Players who were at the peak of their powers in 2003 are now better-known as pundits or managers.
But Ronaldo appears immune to football’s unrelenting wheel of time.
This all-time great does not belong to a singular era – and instead of one chapter, he wrote a whole book.
Ronaldo turns 40 on Wednesday as the greatest goalscorer in football history – and his legendary 23-year career is still going.
Now at Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar is on 923 senior career goals for club and country, hurtling towards an unprecedented 1,000.
Cristiano Ronaldo career stats
Club/Country
Games
Goals
Assists
Sporting
31
5
6
Man United (x2)
346
145
64
Real Madrid
438
450
131
Juventus
134
101
22
Al Nassr
95
87
19
Portugal
217
135
45
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Ronaldo is still showing no sign of stoppingCredit: Getty
But what truly ages Ronaldo is the company he kept when he joined Manchester United as an 18-year-old in 2003.
Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, Gary Neville… Ronaldo crossed over with careers that feel so much more than just one generation ago.
Phil Bardsley, a ‘Barclaysman’ in his own right, was also breaking into the Red Devils team when Ronaldo arrived in Manchester.
Now 39, the former Burnley and Sunderland man hung up his boots after more than 300 Premier League appearances to launch a new career in social housing.
Bardsley had a front-row view to those early glimpses of Ronaldo greatness – when nobody except maybe Sir Alex Ferguson knew what he would ultimately become.
What was your first impression of Ronaldo?
“He’d come in with his quirky little jumper on, with these little braids coming down, and everyone was like, ‘Who’s this kid?’” Bardsley told talkSPORT.com.
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Puberty hit Ronaldo particularly hard around 2003Credit: Getty
“The first-team players were aware because he played against them in a pre-season game [for Sporting] and he was magnificent in that game. I think that’s what attracted interest from the club to go and pursue him and sign him.
“But when he came into the club, he was very slight, not much English at the time, but you could see glimpses of something.
“It wasn’t until the following season where he had a bit more of an understanding and seeing first-hand how good he was. But it took time.
“Even from the day he walked through the door, you can see the professionalism and where he wanted to be in his career.
“He’s obviously a gym addict. But everything you want to be an elite footballer, he had it. And that’s a credit to him.
“You can see the longevity in his career and that’s probably down to those things, the professionalism, the desired discipline that you need to stay at the top.
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Bardsley made 18 Premier League appearances for United – many of them on the same flank as RonaldoCredit: Getty
“He was one of them who spent money on himself, but obviously to help his career progress. I think he was one of the first to employ a chef.
“So all this sort of stuff, home gyms, chef at home, ice baths. He was doing this 20 years ago when people were not even thinking about it.”
What was he like to train with?
Ronaldo has become famous for his incredible strength and physique, allowing him to compete into his forties.
Even back then, when Ronaldo was a flashy forward criticised for going down too easily, Bardsley insists that physical toughness was always there.
The two ex-Man United teammates would spend hours after training practicing one-v-one situations.
Barsley added: “It’d be Cristiano taking me on and it’d be a case of me improving one-on-one defending, while he improves his finishing and his attacking play.
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Ronaldo would stay behind to practice one-v-one situations and harness his famous take-on skillsCredit: Getty
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This was back when defenders would go to extreme lengths to let you know they were thereCredit: Getty
“But we’d just come off and there’d be cuts and grazes down your shins and on your ankles when you try to stop shots and I’m blocking his shots. We both have cuts on our legs from it.
“It was tough and you know what? People talk about him and probably in his early stage he went down too much, which is probably right.
“For a Portuguese player coming to a new country, a physical league… but he was tough.
“His battles over the years with Ashley Cole were, from a neutral point of view, you just couldn’t wait for it. It was just tit for tat for 90 minutes and it was great competition, great to watch.
“But I think over his career as well, those sort of periods helped him become tougher and stronger.”
What was he like as a person?
Over the years, many have questioned where Ronaldo’s heart lies when it comes to being an individual or a team player.
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Ronaldo is constantly looking for any excuse to get his kit offCredit: @cristiano on Instagram
But Bardsley insists that despite some obvious vanity, his old teammate never put himself above anything else.
“As you can imagine, he fancied himself a little bit with his gear,” Bardsley joked. “Big six pack, not much hair anywhere. Good looking lad. Well, not when he first came.
“But yeah, he’s got a great personality. I’ve shared a couple of trips with him and he’s just a great all round guy.
“When he came back to United, it was great to catch up with him. He was a great character in the changing room. He’d be first in, last out and doing everything he needed to do.”
He continued: “Of course he was a team player. I think he sets records that he wants to achieve. And he’s achieved a lot of them.
“His goal stats are outrageous, aren’t they? His goals and his trophies. And that’s a testament to him for the longevity. But in terms of being selfish, I wouldn’t say so. I think he was a proper team player.”
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Was Ronaldo always destined for greatness?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing – and Bardsley admits Ronaldo has exceeded his wildest expectations.
But looking back, the spotty teenage wonderkid who arrived at Man United in a dodgy jumper back in 2003 was laying the groundwork to turn 40 and keep transcending generations.
Bardsley said: “I probably didn’t predict as much as what he’s won and what he’s done. But the foundations were laid early into his career to allow him to play until he’s 40. It’s absolutely incredible.
“You can see the work he put in and the desire he had for the game, that he was going to be successful.
“You can never really say how many trophies or how many goals you’re going to score. But he certainly had a passion to break records and win as many trophies as possible.
“He’s a credit to himself, he’s a credit to his family. And he should be extremely proud of what he’s achieved because it’s not easy to do, especially being a superstar, you’re expected week in, week out, playing for these huge teams, United, Madrid, Juventus.
“You’re expected to be the main man and go on and score week in, week out. You go through phases of your career when you might struggle.
“But looking over his career, he’s always had the mentality to overcome any adversity like that.
“He’s just a unique player and we’ll probably never see the like again.”
Jhon Duran is set to undergo a medical with Al Nassr ahead of a move from Aston Villa, talkSPORT understands.
The big-spending Saudi Pro League is looking to make another major attacking transfer this January and Duran will be the next to join after a breakthrough in talks with Villa.
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Duran looks set for a massive payday in Saudi having agreed a big money transfer from VillaCredit: Getty
Villa have reached an agreement to sell Duran for an initial of fee of €77million (£64.5m), with add-ons taking the total package to €90m (£75m).
It’s a transfer that will see the 21-year-old Colombian play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, who signed for Al Nassr at the beginning of 2023.
And it is set to KO Arsenal’s attempts to sign Ollie Watkins, with the Gunners launching a shock bid earlier on Wednesday.
Villa immediately rejected that offer from their Premier League rivals and will not entertain losing both their strikers, despite the England forward being open to the move.
Duran will now be the one to depart, having agreed personal terms with Al Nassr on a five-and-a-half year contract.
He is scheduled to undergo a medical in London on Thursday and to sign his contract.
talkSPORT understands Duran will bank €15m (approximately £12.5m) a year – almost £250,000 per week.
When asked about Duran’s movements, Villa boss Unai Emery said: “Tomorrow or Friday we can talk about the transfer, or maybe next week, until everything is done I don’t want to speak, because in football everything can happen.
“The club is working and trying to compete in the transfer window because we need some players. Some can leave, but it is not time to speak about it.”
Signed by Villa in 2023 from Chicago Fire, Duran impressed enough to attract interest from Chelsea in his first season, but this January had been all about another London club.
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Duran is set to leave Villa nearly two years after signingCredit: Getty
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Arsenal’s hopes of signing Watkins now appear to be overCredit: Getty
West Ham bid £40million and £57million for the Villa man this month and despite the Hammers being unsuccessful, Saudi dealmakers haven’t been put off.
Al Nassr have also been keen on Bayer Leverkusen talent Victor Boniface, but Duran is now set to scupper that move.
Duran has netted 12 goals from 29 appearances this season for Unai Emery’s team, but has largely played second fiddle to Watkins.
He was named on the bench on Wednesday night for Villa’s 4-2 win against Celtic in the Champions League, with Watkins again preferred up front.
Duran began his career with Colombian outfit Envigado in 2019 before making his move to Chicago Fire.
He scored eight goals in 28 appearances for the MLS side and that was enough to encourage Villa to spend just shy of £18m for Duran in the summer of 2023.
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Duran scored just five Premier League goals last season but his efforts attracted the attention of Chelsea and West Ham in the summer.
But he stayed at Villa Park and has enjoyed a productive season with 12 goals, including three in the Champions League.
But now he’s set for a new challenge in the Middle East.
Boniface set for a move in the January transfer windowCredit: Getty
Sky Sport Germany reports Boniface is set to join Al Nassr instead and will thus share a dressing room with one global icon, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Boniface previously showcased his skills at Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt before making the move to Leverkusen in 2023 from Belgian Pro League side Union Saint-Gilloise.
In his debut season, he was instrumental in Leverkusen’s triumph in the Bundesliga, German Cup, and the German Super Cup in what was a memorable season.
Boniface also scored a remarkable 21 goals and provided ten assists in 34 games for Xabi Alonso’s squad, earning the Bundesliga’s Rookie of the Season award in the process.
However, Boniface was absent from Bayer training on Tuesday, as coach Alonso confirmed the swirling transfer rumours.
“Yes, there is this situation,” he said. “Talks are being held with the club. We have to wait and see.”
The team are preparing to face Sparta Prague on Wednesday evening seemingly without Boniface, an absence that will certainly be felt.
Alonso also emphasised that if the attacker departs, he would still be content with the squad, even if Bayer chooses not to sign a replacement.
It’s understood Leverkusen want at least €50million (approximately £42m).
Boniface’s contract was discreetly adjusted until 2029 recently, placing him among the top earners in the squad.
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Boniface could be playing alongside the likes of RonaldoCredit: Getty
Boniface has netted 29 goals in 49 competitive matches for Leverkusen while also providing eleven assists.
A hamstring injury sustained in November, compounded by other fitness issues, has limited the Nigerian to 15 appearances this term, during which he scored eight goals.
In that time, Patrik Schick has since emerged as Leverkusen’s first-choice striker, netting 17 goals in 25 games this season.
Boniface was also unable to participate in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to injury.
Al Nassr have also expressed interest in Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran.
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Alonso emphasised if Boniface departs, he would still be content with the squad.Credit: Getty
However, Villa’s reluctance to entertain offers for the Colombian has persuaded the Saudi side to pursue Boniface.
Villa rejected a £59m bid from Premier League rivals West Ham United for Duran earlier in the January transfer window.
Cristiano Ronaldo rages at TV camera as Piers Morgan says he was ‘robbed’ at Al Nassr game
New Match of the Day host Kelly Cates is used to asking the hard questions – just ask Cristiano Ronaldo.
The presenter has been confirmed as one of three new hosts alongside Mark Chapman and Gabby Logan to take over from Gary Lineker next season.
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Cates will be one of three presenters to host Match of the Day from next campaignCredit: Getty
The trio will split hosting duties across Match of the Day, MOTD: Champions League, and Match of the Day 2.
All three presenters boast a wealth of presenting experience, with Cates – daughter of Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish – to continue her role at Sky Sports.
Having interviewed a number of world class players from her career, the 49-year-old has revealed one awkward encounter lives long in her memory.
Flash back to March 2008, and Cates drew an amusing reaction from Ronaldo following his dazzling display for Manchester United in a 4-0 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner opened the scoring with a backheel flick, before assisting each of the next three goals for Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney.
Then at Setanta Sports, Cates questioned Ronaldo as to whether he meant his strike – prompting a stunned reaction from the Al Nassr forward.
Cates recalled the infamous encounter to FourFourTwo when asked to comment on the best goal she has seen live.
She said: “One of the most memorable was years ago, I think it was against Aston Villa and it was pouring with rain.
“Cristiano Ronaldo sort of backheeled it, he did something strange.
“In the commentary they said, ‘I’m not sure how deliberate it was,’ or something like that.
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Ronaldo’s flicked goal against Villa – and subsequent reaction – lives long in the memory of CatesCredit: Getty
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Ronaldo spoke to Cates after his man of the match outing against the Villans in 2008Credit: AFP
“The reason it sticks in my mind is because I did the post-match interview and asked, ‘Did you mean it?’
“He went, Sorry?,’ I didn’t think he’d heard.
“But he had and he was like, ‘Are you f****** kidding me? Yeah I meant it!’
“It’s more the shame of it all that stays with me!”
Just months after Ronaldo’s man of the match display against the Villans, he helped United lift both the Premier League and Champions League.
As for Cates, she continued to work as a reporter at both club and international level, before linking up at Sky Sports in 2016 where she became a lead presenter for the broadcaster’s Premier League coverage.
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Cates is regarded as one of the top football presenters in the countryCredit: Getty
Speaking of her upcoming role in presenting the iconic football highlights show, Cates said: “Once I sit in that chair and the theme music starts, I just know that’s going to be a really incredible moment.”
Before adding: “We are all friends and we’ve known each other for a long time and that’s a really lovely part of it.
“Not only is it a great role just on its own, but I’m sharing it with two people I really admire, respect and genuinely like. It’s a great set-up.”
Casemiro has switched his stance and is now open to a move to Saudi Arabia, talkSPORT understands.
The Brazilian was against an exit last summer despite heavy interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, who were reluctant to pay the £70million figure Manchester United wanted.
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Casemiro’s time at Old Trafford may be coming to a close in JanuaryCredit: Getty
The large fee matched what the Red Devils forked out to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid in 2022 as they looked to avoid taking a major loss on the deal.
However, it is understood Saudi dealmakers believe Casemiro will be available for as little as €30m (£24.9m).
Al Nassr, who boast Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Marcelo Brozovic in their line-up, appear to be the best-positioned team to make a play for Casemiro.
The TV rights for the Saudi Pro League is up for renewal later this year and is expected to provide a major financial boost for clubs across the board, which is why Al Nassr are ready to move.
It is understood Al Nassr would be willing to make Casemiro one of the league’s top five highest earners, such is their willingness to secure a deal.
The 32-year-old is one of United’s highest earners with an estimated weekly wage of £350,000.
However, should he move to Saudi Arabia, it is understood Casemiro could earn a weekly wage of around £650,000.
It is also understood Casemiro turned down a mouth-watering $4m (£3.2m) signing on fee to join Al Ittihad last summer.
Despite the upgrade from his United deal, the figure pales in comparison to what potential teammate Ronaldo earns.
The Portuguese great pockets an eye-watering salary of £177m, which amounts to £3,403,846 per week.
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Casemiro’s mooted wage with Al-Nassr doesn’t come close to what Ronaldo pocketsCredit: Getty
Ronaldo’s weekly wage also dwarfs what teammate Mane earns too.
Ex-Liverpool star Mane, who joined Al Nassr in the summer of 2023 after just one season with German giants Bayern Munich, takes home just north of £650,000-a-week, which equates to £34m-per-season.
Casemiro faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford having lost his place in the starting line-up since Ruben Amorim’s arrival in November.
The Brazilian started the first two league games of the Amorim era against Ipswich and Everton but was an unused substitute for the following five games.
He made a 27-minute cameo off the bench in a 2-0 defeat against Wolves and returned to the starting line-up against Newcastle but was dropped once more for the 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
In Casemiro’s place, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte have become Amorim’s preferred pairing in central midfield.
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Casemiro has fallen out of favour since Amorim took over at Manchester UnitedCredit: AFP
Despite the change in midfield personnel, it hasn’t exactly translated into results for United under the Portuguese boss.
Amorim began his United tenure with two wins from his opening three games but has won just twice from the following nine games.
The Red Devils went into their clash on Sunday against historic rivals Liverpool on a four-game winless run and many expected it to stretch to a fifth.
