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Ronaldo could sign one-month deal to play in Club World Cup, Antony deal hinges on Champions League spot - Paper Round
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Published 28/03/2025 at 22:59 GMT
Al Nassr striker Cristiano Ronaldo could leave in time to play at the FIFA Club World Cup, while Aston Villa are reportedly interested in making a move for Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler. Elsewhere, Antony may make a permanent switch to La Liga outfit Real Betis after impressing on loan, and Chelsea may decide to sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United after all.
Guardiola: We do not deserve a bonus for Club World Cup, not even a watch
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Ronaldo may make Club World Cup switch
The Sun claims that Cristiano Ronaldo may still make an appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup at the end of the season.
While Al Nassr have not qualified, competing teams can sign players during a 10-day window from the start of June.
The paper writes: "Cristiano Ronaldo could still compete in the Club World Cup this summer - even though Al Nassr did not qualify for the inaugural competition.
"The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is out of contract this summer, with his deal concluding on June 30 - halfway through the Club World Cup.
"However, new transfer rules that were implemented this week could enable him to leave before that date.
"Teams competing in the competition will be eligible to sign and register new players between June 1 and June 10.
"That means Ronaldo could be snapped up before his contract officially expires. And he could, in theory, sign a one-month deal just to play in the Club World Cup."
Villa keen on Guler
Aston Villa’s transfer strategist Monchi is interested in making a move for Real Madrid youngster Arda Guler.
Guler has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter under Carlo Ancelotti, and the Daily Mail reports on developments in Spain.
The paper writes: "Real Madrid and Turkey starlet Arda Guler is still regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in world football despite his limited game time since joining Los Blancos in 2023.
"And Aston Villa transfer chief Monchi has now admitted he would be interested in bringing Guler to the Premier League.
"'I know him well because he’s a player that every sporting director has followed in his career since Turkey,’ Monchi told Radio Marca.
"‘He’s a player who met a number of requirements and could be attractive to Aston Villa because we were looking for that position.’"
Betis target Antony deal
Real Betis are hopeful of signing Manchester United winger Antony to a permanent deal, but they may need to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
The Brazilian has impressed in Spain after a miserable time in England, and a switch could be on the cards.
Betis are currently sixth in La Liga, eight points behind the top four.
The Evening Standard explains: "Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo has suggested a permanent transfer for the Manchester United winger hinges on Champions League qualification.
"Antony joined the La Liga outfit on loan during the January transfer window and made a great start to life in Spain by scoring three goals in his first four games across all competitions.
"So much so that the Brazilian revealed that he was happy again after being allowed to depart Old Trafford following a largely disappointing spell since his £85 million transfer from Ajax in the summer of 2022.
"A future in Manchester looks unlikely for Antony amid reports United are ready to offload the winger among other first-team players in their attempts to raise funds this summer to complete an overhaul of Ruben Amorim’s squad.
"Fortunately for Man Utd, there appears to be a suitor for the 25-year-old as Real Betis have reportedly opened talks regarding a loan extension."
Chelsea may wish to keep Sancho
The Daily Star believes that Chelsea may ultimately decide to keep Jadon Sancho, and not just because of the compensation they would have to pay Manchester United to send him back to Old Trafford.
The uncertain future of Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk means that Chelsea may elect to pay up for the English winger.
The Daily Star states: "Some reports suggest Chelsea might not want to sign Sancho on a permanent deal this summer after all.
"Chelsea are still waiting to find out the outcome of the investigation into Mykhailo Mudryk and his provisional ban for alleged doping offences.
"Should Mudryk not be able to resume his career with Chelsea, the London club might decide to stick with Sancho after all. But if Sancho is sent back to United, Chelsea will have to shell out compensation for reneging on the deal.
"It's not as simple as Chelsea giving United £5m, but whatever the amount would be, it wouldn't feel close to being enough to Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
"United still owe £17m to Borussia Dortmund as part of the initial £78m deal to take Sancho to Old Trafford in the first place in 2021.
"But Sancho will be entering the final 12 months of his deal, so United would have to find a new buyer for the winger this summer, trigger the extension, or allow him to leave them for nothing in 2026."
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