CHELSEA would be “interested” in Karim Benzema, who will leave Saudi Arabia; Lyon are also chasing the Real Madrid hero.
Meanwhile, Newcastle star Kieran Trippier will reportedly NOT be at Bayern this month, with Toon rejecting an official offer from the German giants.
Meanwhile, West Ham have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan.
Elsewhere, the Hammers are on the verge of breaking their trade record and beating Chelsea and Newcastle thanks to the signing of Bayer Leverkusen star Victor Boniface, SunSport can exclusively reveal.
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Arsenal have sent scouts to watch Paris Saint-Germain loanee Xavi Simons play for RB Leipzig, according to reports.
The Dutch winger, 20, joined the German club at the beginning of the season and has impressed with seven goals and nine assists in 27 games.
Arsenal first linked up with Simons last season when he enjoyed a standout crusade with PSV.
He managed 34 goal contributions in 48 matches for the Dutch giants.
But the Gunners missed out on his signing this summer when PSG activated a secret move clause that allowed them to re-sign the player they passed on in 2022 for £5. 1m.
However, despite the failure of their search less than 12 months ago, Arsenal are in a position to reignite their interest in the striker.
According to HITC, they recently sent scouts to monitor several Bundesliga players, Simons.
Bacary Sagna believes Arsenal will gain huge benefits from their winter break.
Sagna told Paddy Power: “Arsenal needed the break, mentally.
“Especially after the long season last season, and in the end they went to their respective national teams, they can never faint.
“Sometimes they want to come back fresh, which is important, and bring that positive vibe to their educational sessions.
“It is vital for players to have that time to recharge.”
Louis Saha has tipped Victor Osimhen to join Chelsea instead of his old club Man Utd.
Saha told Paddy Power: “Victor Osimhen is a striker who has full confidence at the moment and I see him going to Chelsea.
“He’s won individual and team trophies, and he’s a very no-nonsense striker. I’m sure he’s the kind of player who’s willing to do anything to get to the Premier League.
“I’ve heard he’s a Manchester United fan, so he’ll be moving on to the Theatre of Dreams!
“A lot of clubs demand it and if clubs have the ability to bring it to the Premier League, they do it.
“He’ll secure you goals, confidence and experience, he won the Scudetto with Napoli, which is easy.
“I need to see him soon in the Premier League; I’m not thinking about that window of movement, yet soon. “
Teddy Sheringham has criticised United for signing Harry Kane and Declan Rice.
Sheringham told Gambling Zone: “The most productive players cheer you on. They elevate the players around them and raise the bar. Fergie would turn to this type of player if she thought it would improve her team.
“He’s the type of player who plays at the top every week. He’s the kind of player who can lead a team across the baseline in a close game.
“Declan Rice would have done that in midfield and Harry Kane would have done that upfront. Signings like that have a transformational effect on the entire football club.”
Angry enthusiasts stormed the Al-Nassr team’s hotel in China after Cristiano Ronaldo was forced to pull out of the club’s tour.
Ronaldo, the star charm of the Saudi team’s mid-season excursion to China.
The team had been in the city of Shenzhen ahead of scheduled friendlies against Shanghai Shenua and Zhejiang on Wednesday and January 28 respectively.
However, Ronaldo, 38, pulled out of the games after suffering a muscle injury.
Fans who were eagerly awaiting Ronaldo’s were devastated by the news.
As a result, Al-Nassr announced that they would postpone the matches to a later date to allow Ronaldo to take part in the excursion at a later date.
Inter Miami are hoping to sign Philippe Coutinho, according to reports.
Owner David Beckham is looking to convince the 31-year-old that moving to the United States will be the next step in his career.
And he is set to call upon their “dream signing’s” former team-mates to persuade him to join, claim Calciomercato.
Inter Miami already have Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba in their squad.
Coutinho is still registered with Aston Villa and is spending the season on loan at Qatari club Al-Duhail.
Newcastle have reached an agreement with Manchester City to sign midfielder Alfie Harrison for an undisclosed fee.
The Magpies temporarily moved to sign the 18-year-old English talent, who shone through City’s youth ranks.
Harrison is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days ahead of completing the upcoming move on a long-term contract.
The youngster has been close to City’s prolific goalscorer Erling Haaland, whether it’s because of his looks or his impressive goalscoring record.
Harrison made 10 appearances in all competitions for the club’s under-18 national team and scored 8 goals.
Manchester United are hoping to recoup £100m from the sales of Jadon Sancho and Antony, according to reports.
The Red Devils spent £158. 5m on the two strikers – £73m for Sancho in 2021 and £85. 5m for Antony 12 months later.
But both have disappointed at Old Trafford, scoring 20 goals and providing assists in 148 appearances between them.
The 23-year-old Sancho returns on loan to Borussia Dortmund until the end of the season.
And Antony hasn’t scored a single goal in 22 appearances this season.
According to The Evening Standard, Man Utd have introduced Sancho and Antony to clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Erik ten Hag’s men need to get around £50m for themselves as new owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to make his mark on the club’s moving policy.
Newcastle will reportedly reject all approaches for Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier.
Both men have been linked with an exit from Tyneside, with AC Milan interested in Wilson and Bayern Munich eyeing Trippier.
But the Magpies are keen to stick with their biggest stars despite FFP’s concerns.
Gary Lineker is part of one of football’s most unexpected transfers.
That was after Cristiano Ronaldo re-signed for Manchester United in their backyard.
Lineker, a former England star, claims he helped when Ed Woodward helped complete Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford.
Lineker said: “Ed is a very good friend, he’s a lovely guy, genuinely a lovely guy.
“Cristiano Ronaldo signed when Ed Woodward was in my backyard. It’s amazing. [Did I realize the importance of the agreement?] Only when it arrived.
“He came here and we had planned a lunch. I cook for a few people, Ed being one of them.
“He spoke on the phone when he arrived and said, ‘I’m looking to close the deal with Cristiano Ronaldo. ‘
“At that point it was looking like he was going to Manchester City. And then he [Ed] got the confirmation call.
“I have a picture of him sitting in a chair at the back of the garden, closing the deal. “
West Ham are unlikely to sign Armando Broja from Chelsea this month, according to reports.
This is due to the value that the Blues’ bosses placed on the striker.
According to Football Insider, Chelsea are demanding £50million for the 22-year-old.
West Ham probably wouldn’t pay that much for him.
Luke Chadwick has revealed how he found out through Manchester United.
The former midfielder was scouted by the Red Devils when he was just 10 years old.
Chadwick, 43, may have had a completely different career, having played in Arsenal’s academy before joining Manchester.
During Chadwick’s time at Arsenal’s academy, he also played for his local side Cambridge.
It was there that he caught the attention of one of the Red Devil’s scouts for his prolific performances.
During a Q&A on TikTok, the retired midfielder explained how his move came about.
He said: “When United signed me, Arsenal weren’t too happy.
“But once I was handed over to United, I fell in love with this place. I knew this was the club I wanted to sign for. “
Manchester United are leading the race to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee despite interest from rivals Arsenal.
The Red Devils are the club that has held talks with the former Bayern Munich star.
Zirkzee, 22, rose through the youth system at Bayern Munich but struggled to make the breakthrough at senior level before joining Bologna in 2022.
After a slow debut year in Italy, the forward has impressed this term after scoring seven goals and creating two assists in 19 Serie A appearances this year.
Erik ten Hag is desperate to bolster his front line and will sign the former Dutch Under-21 star this summer.
Reports have claimed that Zirkzee’s contract with Bologna included a £34 million clause.
Man Utd have been told that it will take a “huge bid” in order to sign Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Choupo-Moting, 34, recently replaced Harry Kane and Mathys Tel at Bayern Munich.
The former Stoke City striker has made 16 appearances in the Bundesliga, scoring two goals.
He signed a one-year contract extension with German giants last summer, running until June this year.
Despite being in the last six months of his contract, Bayern are keen to keep hold of the striker.
Sky Deutschland claimed that Bayern were looking for him to stay because they already had a reduced squad.
However, the report has added that should a big offer come in for the veteran, then they could be tempted to sell.
Choupo-Moting is also advised to leave the club this summer for nothing.
“Portsmouth are in complex talks to sign Wigan striker Callum Lang. “
The two clubs will negotiate a fee, SunSport reveals.
Land has 3 in 29 appearances this season.
Man Utd asked to sign Karim Benzema on loan this month.
Asked if United are looking to sign Benzema on loan, Andy Cole told Betfred: “150 per cent. I’d sign it if it was just for a workout.
“I was very surprised when he left Real Madrid in the summer, but I understand why it happened. The money you earn in Saudi Arabia is generational wealth. It’s for your children and your children’s children.
“When you’re this age in your career and you’ve already won 4 league titles, five Champions League trophies and the Ballon d’Or, I understand why he went to Saudi Arabia.
“Could I do it in the Premier League at his age?100% consistent with the way you take care of yourself.
“If Manchester United have the opportunity to sign him, then they will definitely try to make it happen. “
Chelsea are set to break their record for women’s moves by signing striker Mayra Ramirez, according to reports.
Blues owner Todd Boehly has already spent more than £1 billion on the men’s team since replacing Roman Abramovich in 2022.
And now he is preparing to sanction the largest sum in the history of Chelsea Women.
According to Sky Sports, the sum they will pay Levante for the 24-year-old Colombian Ramirez will exceed the £250,000 spent on Pernille Harder in 2020.
The South American striker has caught the Blues’ attention with six goals in seven games this season, following on from her tally of 14 in the 2022/23 campaign.
Ramirez, who has also earned 30 caps for her country, will join the Women’s Super League champions, replacing Australian talisman Sam Kerr, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Victor Osimhen has hinted at a summer move and has his sights set on the Premier League.
Osimhen claimed he has made up his mind regarding his future and hinted that he will move this summer, in all likelihood to the Premier League.
He told CBS Sport: “I’ve already decided what the next step will be at the end of the season.
“I’ve already made up my mind. I already have my plan, I know what I need to do, the next step I need to take.
“I think 60 per cent of people mention rumours about my connection to the Premier League.
“Premier League is one of the biggest leagues in the world.
“I want to finish the season with Napoli strong and then come up with the decision I’ve already made.”
Earlier this year, SunSport revealed Mason Greenwood was set to find himself at the centre of Spanish summer transfer flurry.
The striker was loaned by United to Getafe at the start of this season – and has been in impressive form with three goals and four assists in 16 LaLiga games.
SunSport understands that Valencia and Real Sociedad are “watching” the English star: Barcelona are now in pole position.
The source added: “Ten Hag was keen to remain Mason, but that decision was eventually taken away from him. Now he’s making long-term plans and Mason is rarely one of those plans.
Nottingham Forest is an ambitious move for forgotten Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah, SunSport can reveal.
The 24-year-old is recovering from a long-term hamstring injury.
But even though he has not played for seven months, they remain keen.
Forest are in a position to talk about a loan deal for Chalobah.
However, due to the player’s physical condition, the loan would be negligible – around £1 million.
Manchester United are keen to review and link Scott McTominay to a longer-term contract, according to SunSport.
The 27-year-old Scot’s contract with the club expires next summer and he has been linked with transfers to Bayern Munich and West Ham for months.
But despite coming close to being sold last summer, the midfielder has “won over” Erik ten Hag.
And the club now need to talk to McTominay about activating a clause to extend his contract by one year.
Our source said: “Scott has replaced his career at Manchester United. It has been one of the few highlights of a dismal season and has shown a new side to his game, scoring goals from midfield.
He and Harry Maguire were on the verge of joining clubs this summer.
“But now both players are seen as part of the future. The owners are very keen to invest in UK players, so Scott will likely be offered an extra year on his current contract. “
Marseille are interested in signing Nuno Tavares, who has been away from the Gunners, according to reports.
The Ligue 1 side need to bring in Tavares and Arsenal are open to a permanent sale.
According to movement expert Fabrizio Romano, this resolution could count only on Nottingham Forest.
Tavares has been in the season at The City Ground lately and Arsenal do NOT have a revocation clause.
Man Utd forward Mason Greenwood is edging ever closer to a summer switch to Barcelona, SunSport understands.
The Spanish giants have been keeping an eye on the former Manchester United all season.
And now they hope to reach an agreement soon to turn it into Barcelona in June.
Greenwood, 22, who is currently starring for Getafe on loan, has told his advisors Barcelona is a “dream move”.
Anfield bosses will reportedly return Calvin Ramsay on loan.
The former Aberdeen youngster spent the early part of the campaign at Preston but only made an impression twice due to injury.
Assistant coach Pep Ljinders said: “There’s interest, which is good.
“We have to come to a proper solution with the agent and the club for the player. He wants to have time to play. “
Lyon are reportedly not in touch regarding Karim Benzema’s comeback.
It was claimed that the Frenchman is in talks with his former club about a possible fairytale return.
According to L’Equipe, however, the Al-Ittihad forward will not be joining Lyon as he is out of their price range.
Benzema was reportedly offered to Arsenal earlier this month and has also been linked with Chelsea.
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