David de Gea is reportedly being targeted for a reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo by Al-Nassr after his Manchester United contract expired.

Goalkeeper De Gea, 32, became a free agent on Friday (June 30). Talks with the Old Trafford hierarchy over a new deal broke down last week.

It was claimed he agreed to revised terms which saw his £375,000 weekly wage reduced to £200k before United withdrew that offer and proposed an even lower salary.

Now he's become the latest star lined up for a move to Saudi Arabia, according to The Sun, with Al-Nassr tabling a £250,000-a-week contract for him.

However, it's also reported De Gea would ideally stay in Manchester if he can reach an agreement once and for all with the Red Devils. He's currently not in contact with them as he got married to long-term partner and singer Edurne, 37, on Saturday (July 1).

But face-to-face negotiations are set to resume in the not too distant future. United are looking to replace him with a new No. 1 for next season.

Losing him for good would mean they'd need to sign two shot stoppers this summer, though, with second-choice Dean Henderson already headed for the exit door.

Nearly 20 full years since his first senior appearance, Cesc Fabregas has called time on a storied career.

The Spanish international was just 16 years old when he became Arsenal's youngest ever player, enjoying a cup outing during the famed 'Invincibles' season. Two decades on, and a few weeks after his 36th birthday, the Como midfielder confirmed he has played his final game.

"It is with great sadness that the time has come for me to hang up my playing boots," he said in a statement. "From my first days at Barca, Arsenal, Barca again, Chelsea, Monaco and Como, I will treasure them all.

"From lifting the World Cup, the Euros, to winning everything in England and Spain and nearly all the European trophies, it has been a journey that I’ll never forget," he added. Theveteran will now become a full-time member of Como's coaching staff, having admitted to falling in love with the Italian team.

Over the years, there have been too many memorable Cesc Fabregas moments to count. Here, Mirror Football takes a look back at some stand-out moments which show why so many have so much fondness for him.

1. Putting Spurs to the sword

 

 

Cesc Fabregas had some memorable games against Spurs ( Image: Getty Images)

There's nothing like a goal in a North London Derby to win over Arsenal fans. Fabregas had already won their hearts several times over before the autumn of 2009, but he added some gloss in a Halloween triumph. 

It was Robin van Persie who scored Arsenal's first, but Fabregas doubled the lead just 11 seconds after the restart. Capitalising on a giveaway from Wilson Palacios, Fabregas burst through a number of challenges before beating Heurelho Gomes from the edge of the box.

A goal and two assists in a White Hart Lane win in 2007 was another highlight in Fabregas' Arsenal career. This one, though, had an extra celebratory note to it.

2. Putting his body on the line

By the time Arsenal played Barcelona in 2010, Fabregas was wearing the captain's armband for the Gunners on the grandest of stages. After a Zlatan Ibrahimovic double looked to have sent Barca through, Arsene Wenger's side rebounded to draw 2-2 with their skipper equalising from the penalty spot.

 

 

Few Arsenal fans will forget Fabregas' penalty against Barcelona ( Image: Getty Images)

What we didn't know at the time, however, was that Fabregas was seriously injured at the time. His decision to play through the pain barrier wasn't enough to see his team through, despite Nicklas Bendtner putting them in front at Camp Nou, but it was still the kind of thing all fans will remember.

"Some people think I may have even broken the leg against Birmingham a week earlier - and, to be honest, I just don't know," the midfielder said. "Yes, it's exactly the same spot but I didn't go into the game against Barcelona thinking 'My leg's broken'.''

3. An unbelievable assist

When Fabregas returned to the Premier League in 2014, it was for Chelsea rather than Arsenal. Some had questions - surely if he still had elite quality then Arsenal would have brought him back - but they were answered just 20 minutes into his debut.

Nearly a decade on, fans still talk about the pass for Andre Schurrle's goal against Burnley. The calm first-time delivery, and the control of the pace on the ball when others might have thumped it into touch.

 

 

The midfielder had a great evening against Burnley in 2014 ( Image: Getty Images Europe)

That season ended with Fabregas becoming a Premier League champion with Chelsea. It's something he never managed in Arsenal red, but it's undoubtedly something he deserved.

4. Showing where his heart lies

There were still some who weren't delighted to see him move across London, even if there was a spell back at Barcelona in the middle. Some also let their feelings become clear when Fabregas pointed to his chest while taking on his former club.

A section of the Gunners support booed their former captain during the game. He responded by pointing at his chest, and some interpreted this as him pointing to the Chelsea badge, but the truth was rather different.

"If you think I’m capable of doing what you are suggesting I did, you don’t know me at all and my feelings towards all of you what so ever," he told one fan. "I was actually telling the fans they will always be in my heart, but of course your interpretation must be miss guided [sic] by a simple image."

5. Ending Spain's misery

 

 

Cesc Fabregas helped Spain to Euro 2008 success ( Image: AFP/Getty Images)DON'T MISS

When Euro 2008 rolled around, Spain had gone more than 40 years without a major tournament win. Without Fabregas, the wait might have gone on even longer.

Luis Aragones' side won three out of three in their group, with Fabregas on target against Russia, but quarter-final opponents Italy presented a tougher task. The reigning world champions took the game to penalties after a goalless draw, and Spain had lost three of their previous four shootouts - including against England at Euro 96.

Spain led 3-2 when Fabregas stepped up for their fifth kick, knowing the significance and recognising he had Gigi Buffon to beat. He sent the keeper the wrong way, paving the way for Spain to kick on and beat Russia (again) and Germany to become champions of Europe.

6. Achieving international immortality

 

 

He put away crucial Euros penalties in two tournaments ( Getty Image)

Two years after that Euros triumph, there was a World Cup win. Two years after that came Euro 2012 and a change for an unprecedented three in a row.

Once again, penalties were needed - this time in the semi-final against Portugal. Xabi Alonso missed with Spain's first-kick, but failures from Portugal pair Joao Moutinho and Bruno Alves gave Fabregas another shot at glory.

Once again, he made no mistake, and he followed it up with an assist in the final as Italy were put to the sword. Cesc Fabregas will forever be associated with one of Spanish football's finest ever eras.

7. A favourite off the pitch

 

 

 

The midfielder has also impressed as a pundit ( Image: BBC)

 

Even before hanging up his boots, Fabregas has dipped his toe into punditry. His insight from the studio has won him plenty of fans, and it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him combine his coaching work with more trips to the sofa.

Not only that, but he took aim at the UK government to win more fans among those who weren't huge fans of Boris Johnson et al. In March 2020, before the UK went into Covid lockdown, Fabregas' response to a Boris Johnson press conference showed he had no qualms about giving his opinion.

"So, you’re saying and admitting the disease will spread so much over the next weeks/months but you’re not closing schools “just yet”..." he asked on Twitter. "You will have to close them eventually anyway. Why not do it now and avoid more trouble? #LetsBeResponsable."

[mirror.co.uk]

 

Roma boss Jose Mourinho has established contact with forgotten Manchester United ace Mason Greenwood over a potential summer switch to Italy. According to The Sun, the ‘Special One’ is willing to hand the troubled forward a ‘football lifeline.’

Mourinho is familiar with Greenwood’s qualities from his time at Old Trafford. Even though the 21-year-old was only a teenager during the Portuguese coach’s managerial stint at Man Utd, the latter knows what he can expect from the left-footed attacker. And he is keen to revive the youngster’s declining career.

Greenwood saw charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive and controlling behavior dropped in February. But even though the Crown Prosecution Service dismissed all allegations against the homegrown Man Utd star, he’s still on the sidelines.

Indeed, Man Utd suspended Greenwood until further notice, with the Red Devils chiefs investigating his conduct following his January 2022 arrest. Since the Premier League giants are open to letting their infamous forward leave on loan, Roma are ready to pounce. Mourinho has reached out to the player to offer him a fresh start in Serie A.

Considering it’s been over a year since Greenwood last grasped a football pitch, his signing carries a certain amount of risk. But if Mourinho thinks he’s a gamble worth taking, there’s no doubt Roma would intensify talks to take the unsettled Man Utd starlet to the Stadio Olimpico.

As it seems, Erik ten Hag’s employers won’t stand in their way. However, the Roma boss should think twice before making such a risky move. Meanwhile, the Giallorossi have also brought Paris Saint-Germain’s Renato Sanches back to their shopping list.

[cultofcalcio]

Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar can plan for the remainder of Arsenal's summer transfer window in the knowledge that two key deals have been completed and a verbal agreement is in place for another.

Whilst new signings to improve the first-team squad are, of course, important for the Gunners to challenge for the Premier League title once again next season, it's equally imperative to tie down their best players. Already this calendar year, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka have put pen to paper on new deals.

William Saliba is expected to follow suit shortly as football.london understands the Frenchman has verbally agreed to sign a new four-year contract, keeping him at the Emirates Stadium until 2027 at the latest and all that remains is for his signature and therefore an official announcement.

With the trio aged either 22 or younger, it is safe to say they will play a huge part in the club's quest for success in the present and in the future, although they all must be registered in Arsenal's 25-man Premier League squad in order to be eligible for the competition next season.

This marks a change from last season when they were classed as 21 or under which allowed them to be part of the separate list. But Under-21 players for the 2023/24 campaign must be born on or after 1 January 2002, Saka, Martinelli and Saliba will be considered 'homegrown' along with Benjamin White, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Rob Holding, Aaron Ramsdale, Reiss Nelson, Arthur Okonkwo and Folarin Balogun.

As this ruling will result in a minimum of three new names being registered in the Gunners' Premier League squad for next season, what impact will it have amid talk of an imminent double announcement with regard to Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber joining to push the club's spending past the £200million mark?

Well, Rice would be considered homegrown taking the overall number to 11 but this scenario would only allow for 14 overseas players to be named - usually 17 is the limit - and as things currently stand, the Gunners will have to make space in order to register Timber and two others.

This is because Gabriel Magalhaes, Mohamed Elneny, Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Jorginho, Jakub Kiwior, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Leandro Trossard, Matt Turner, Granit Xhaka, Oleksandr Zinchenko, new signing Kai Havertz, Runar Alex Runarsson, Cedric Soares, Nuno Tavares, Auston Trusty, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nicolas Pepe fall into the overseas players' category.

Having said that, Arsenal have already begun the process of avoiding a squad registration issue as football.london understands Xhaka, Balogun, Pepe and Trusty are all expected to depart this summer as could Okonkwo, Runarsson, Cedric, Tavares and Lokonga with regular first-team football by no means a guarantee next season.

So assuming Rice and Timber sign but the aforementioned nine players are let go, the Gunners would be left with nine homegrown and 15 overseas players thus successfully adhering to the Premier League rules when permitted to name a 25-man squad when the summer transfer window closes at the beginning of September.

[football.london]

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka could complete his long-awaited move to Bayer Leverkusen this week as Declan Rice’s arrival nears.

Bayer Leverkusen may finally snap up Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka in the coming days with a £20million deal close. 

That is according to The Mirror, who report that there is real hope that Xhaka’s move will finally go through.

Xhaka has been linked with Leverkusen for months now and had something of a farewell on the final day of the Premier League season.

That was more than a month ago now and there has been little movement on Xhaka’s expected departure.

However, it’s now thought that Xhaka could be just days away from completing his return to Germany.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach star has been identified as a key target for Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso – a former midfielder himself.

A £20million deal now seems to be nearing completion with Xhaka bringing his seven-year spell at Arsenal to an end after joining for £30million in 2016.

Arsenal may be waiting for Declan Rice arrival to green-light Granit Xhaka deal

Arsenal are on the verge of adding another midfielder this summer with Declan Rice set to join from West Ham United.

The Gunners do have Kai Havertz on board from Chelsea and the German may well be deployed in a midfield role at times.

Rice is the key though, giving Arsenal an option to play deep but also in a box-to-box role – just like Xhaka.

Arsenal getting closer to signing Rice and rumours of Xhaka’s deal being close again don’t feel like a coincidence.

The Gunners would hate to lose Xhaka without having Rice either on board or on the verge of arriving.

This really signals a new era for Arsenal’s midfield, and Xhaka at least leaves as an Arsenal favourite – something which didn’t seem likely back in the 2019-20 season.

[hitc]

Completing a successful loan spell at Osasuna, Ez Abde is set to return to Barcelona with newfangled motivation and an increased reputation. The Catalan’s need for a direct left-wing profile has been well documented by now, with attempts previously being made for Carrasco.

However, owing to drained finances, Abde is expected to fill that void in the squad. Mundo Deportivo has come out to share Abde’s official departure from Osasuna as the Moroccan leaves a heartfelt message, recollecting memories from his time in Pamplona.

“Thank you. I have felt at home and I have enjoyed myself like a small child“, the 21-year-old speedster wrote on Instagram, a public platform where he has amassed nearly two million followers.

Abde morphed into a regular team player, chiming in with important contributions on an array of occasions. He particularly thanked his teammates and the coaching staff, led by Jagoba Arrasate, “for having received me as one of the family. I just have to say thank you again.“

The Moroccan sensation has appeared in 35 league games and contributed four goals to Osasuna’s seventh-place finish. Abde was instrumental in the Copa del Rey with his two goals against Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla, which provided the squad with the opportunity to play in their second final after a whopping duration of 18 years.

He now leaves with a positive atmosphere accompanying him as fans of Osasuna appreciate his short but memorable spell. As the Catalans gear up for a crucial season, they will look forward to retaining Abde, unless an offer worth studying comes their way. Interest from the English and Spanish League certainly lingers in the background.

[Barcanewsnetwork]

Arsenal are set to follow up the signing of Declan Rice by launching a surprise move for his West Ham team-mate Ben Johnson as Mikel Arteta continues to look for ways to improve his squad. The Gunners are expected to complete a record transfer for Rice in the coming days after finally agreeing a fee with their London rivals, and reports suggest they are not finished raiding David Moyes' squad with another move in the pipeline.

Rice has agreed to sign a long-term contract ahead of his £105million transfer, with Arsenal paying £100m up front and a further £5m in add-ons. It would represent the highest fee spent on a British player and the second-most expensive deal in English history behind Chelsea's signing of Enzo Fernandez.

And he could be joined by a familiar face in swapping one side of London for the north, with reports suggesting Johnson is a shock target for Arsenal.

The 23-year-old made 17 appearances in the Premier League last season, nine of which were starts, as he was used intermittently by Moyes throughout the season.

However, he has had to settle for a deputy role behind first-choice right-back Vladimir Coufal and has been tipped to leave the club this summer.

But according to The West Ham Way, Arsenal have joined Everton in the race to sign the defender, who can play as a full-back or centre-back. His current deal is set to expire in 2024 and the academy graduate is yet to agree terms on a contract extension, with his wage demands too high in comparison to regular starters.

That could force West Ham to sell him this summer for a cut-price fee, with interest from elsewhere in the Premier League. The Guardian reported recently that Everton were keen on the youngster, but Arsenal could now rival them for his signature.

Johnson may be regarded as a backup option by Arteta with Gabriel, William Saliba and Ben White all regarded as important members of the squad. He may be needed as Rob Holding is likely to leave the club, with Express Sport exclusively reporting the centre-back is in talks over a loan to Besiktas.

Arteta has wasted no time in identifying improvements for his squad after narrowly missing out on the Premier League title to Manchester City. They finished second behind Pep Guardiola's men, having led the treble winners by eight points before collapsing in the final weeks of the campaign.

And with the £65m signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea already confirmed and Rice and Jurrien Timber set to join him at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal's spending is set to soar past £200million.

[Express.co.uk]

France captain Kylian Mbappe has called for an end to violent protests that erupted in the country after the fatal shooting of a teenager by police.

The 17-year-old boy, named publicly only as ‘Nahel M’, was shot at a traffic stop in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre on Tuesday. The killing triggered consecutive nights of demonstrations across the capital and in other parts of France, many of which descended into violent clashes with police and vandalism and looting of businesses.

Protests have continued despite the police officer concerned being detained and charged with voluntary homicide on Thursday. But Mbappe has taken to social media to appeal for calm on behalf of the French national team.

“Like all French people, we were marked and shocked by the brutal death of young Nahel,” he wrote. “Firstly, our thoughts go out to him and his family to whom we extend our sincere condolences.

“Obviously, we cannot remain insensitive to the circumstances in which this unacceptable death has taken place.

“Since this tragic event, we have been witnessing the expression of popular anger whose essence we understand, but whose form we cannot endorse.

“With many of us coming from working-class neighbourhoods, these feelings of pain and sadness, we also share them.

“But to this suffering is added that of assisting powerlessness to a real process of self-destruction.

“Violence solves nothing, even less when it inevitably and tirelessly turns against those who express it, their families, loved ones and neighbours.”

The statement concluded with a plea: “The time of violence must end to make way to that of mourning, dialogue and reconstruction.”

Mbappe, who was raised in Paris suburb of Bondy, had on Wednesday expressed his heartbreak at what he called an “unacceptable situation”, but given the escalation which has forced the French government to deploy 45,000 police officers, the call for calm from someone as influential as Mbappe will be welcomed by authorities.

Despite that, Friday night saw more unrest with the cities of Lyon and Marseille particularly chaotic. Mbappe and the government will be hoping his message helps defuse matters over the weekend.

Napoli star Victor Osimhen, currently enjoying his vacation in Lagos, has again shown his unwavering connection to the Italian champion with a symbolic social media post that keeps his Italian fans engaged.

The Nigerian forward took to social media to share photos of himself donning the iconic Buitoni shirt Napoli wore during their first championship victory.

To add a touch of nostalgia, Osimhen proudly sported the revered number 10 on his back, paying homage to the legendary Diego Maradona.

Osimhen’s post has already generated thousands of reactions from fans.

While rumours swirl about his future, Osimhen remains focused on his affiliation with the blue club, seemingly undeterred by transfer speculation.

Last season, the talented striker played a pivotal role in Napoli’s triumphant campaign, netting an impressive 26 goals in the league and providing four assists. The club clinched

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has been urging Osimhen to stay in Naples and aim for another Scudetto, following in the footsteps of the late Argentine legend.

Osimhen’s fondness for Napoli further hints at the possibility of extending his stay in Serie A.

However, it is no secret that the Nigerian forward harbors dreams of playing in the Premier League, with Chelsea and Manchester United emerging as prominent contenders to secure his services.

As Osimhen’s future hangs in the balance, many eagerly await his decision, pondering whether he will embark on a new challenge in England or continue his journey in Italy, aiming to replicate the feats of his revered predecessor.

The Nigerian women’s football team, Super Falcons, will today fly to Australia to step up their preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced the nine-time African champions will depart Abuja for a 15-day training camp in Australia, before the World Cup with their base at Brisbane, which is also the venue for two of their group matches.

The team were hosted to a farewell dinner last night at the Transcorp Hotel Abuja with the First Lady Oluremi Tinubu in attendance.

The World Cup, featuring 32 teams, will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand between July 20 and August 20.

Nigeria’s opening match is against Olympic champions Canada at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium on July 21, before matches against co-hosts Australia and Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31 respectively at the Lang Park in Brisbane.

[Leadership]