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Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez arrived in style for Argentina duty to team up with Lionel Messi for Uruguay and Brazil tests.

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Premier League stars join Argentina campSet to team up with MessiWill face Uruguay and Brazil in the next World Cup qualifiersWHAT HAPPENED?

The Premier League stars flew to Buenos Aires from England to join their Albiceleste teammates ahead of the two crucial World Cup qualifiers. Lionel Scaloni had already taken charge of the first training session of the team on Tuesday in the absence of several players due to their tight schedules. However, the trio will be expected to hit the ground running from Wednesday and join group training.

@enzojfernandez InstagramAdvertisementGettyWHAT ENZO FERNANDEZ SAID

Fernandez expressed his delight upon rejoining the Argentine national team and shared the story on Instagram along with the caption: "Nada mas lindo que star aca (Nothing more beautiful than being here)".

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Messi and Co are in a commanding position at the top of the South American qualification group for the FIFA World Cup. After four matches, the reigning world champions have accumulated a substantial five-point lead over their competitors, including Uruguay, Brazil, and Venezuela.

The skipper was the first one to arrive for the camp and was spotted sporting a smile during Argentina's first training session on Tuesday.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR ARGENTINA?

Argentina will host Uruguay at La Bombonera stadium on Thursday evening before taking on Brazil at the Maracana on Tuesday in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Donny van de Beek says he is ready to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window in pursuit of regular playing time.

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Van de Beek has played just twice this seasonMidfielder linked with move away from Old TraffordSays he is ready to leave UnitedWHAT HAPPENED?

The midfielder has not been able to break into the United team since joining from Ajax in 2020 and has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford. The 26-year-old does not want to see out the rest of the season on the United bench and is ready to move on to continue his career.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT VAN DE BEEK SAID

Van de Beek is quoted by as saying: "I am bouncing to play matches again. The manager is making different choices now. We have a big squad and I am not the only one knocking on the door. We'll see in January what happens. I need to start playing games very soon – if not at Man United then at another club. I think I have to be ambitious. I have always been a lover of the game. I am absolutely crazy about football. I earn a good living at United, but money is not my motivation. I want to enjoy my work every day."

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The Netherlands international has made only six Premier League starts since joining United. This season, he came off the bench to play the last 25 minutes against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup in late September. He was then given a two-minute cameo in the defeat against Palace four days later – his only appearance in the league this season.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR VAN DE BEEK?

The ex-Ajax star will look for another club in January and hope to get his career back on track over the rest of the season. His current contract with United runs until the summer of 2025.

Wrexham are reportedly lining up the “statement of intent” signing of Saidou Khan from Swindon despite the threat posed by international duty.

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Red Dragons willing to spend againSwindon midfielder in their sightsMay be involved with Gambia at AFCONWHAT HAPPENED?

Khan is a Gambia team-mate of Red Dragons star Jacob Mendy, and they could both be heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations in January. If called upon by their country for a continental tournament in the Ivory Coast, then they would be unavailable to Phil Parkinson for several weeks.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT PALMER SAID ABOUT WREXHAM

That does not appear to be putting Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and the Wrexham money men off, with ex-England international Carlton Palmer telling of a proposed deal: “Khan will have six months left on his contract when the window opens, so Swindon will sell him if he does not commit his future before then. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson has been a long-time admirer of Khan and initially tried to get him in the summer, but the move did not go through. Khan is likely to be unavailable for the whole of January as he will be on duty for his country in the Africa Cup of Nations. This will be another real statement of intent from Wrexham and their owners in the attempt to get back-to-back promotions, and a reminder to the rest of the league of the financial power they possess.”

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Wrexham made a play for Khan towards the end of the summer window, but were unable to get a deal done. They have seen the 27-year-old midfielder register one goal and three assists through 17 League Two appearances this season.

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It is suggested that Reynolds and McElhenney are prepared to sanction a £350,000 approach for Khan, with a six-figure transfer fee set to be paid out for a player that would be available for nothing in the summer of 2024.

Dele Alli is “feeling great” at Everton, says Sean Dyche, and the former Tottenham star could be back in action during the busy festive period.

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Last appearance made back in FebruaryUnderwent operation on thigh problemWorking his way back towards full fitnessWHAT HAPPENED?

The 27-year-old midfielder has not taken in a competitive appearance of any kind for over nine months – with his last outing coming during a forgettable loan spell at Besiktas on February 26. He has started only one game for Everton since joining them from Spurs in January 2022, while a thigh problem has kept him on the sidelines of late after being forced to undergo surgery.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT DYCHE SAID ABOUT DELE

Dele is working his way back into contention at Goodison Park, though, with Toffees boss Dyche saying when asked for an update on the 37-cap England international: “He is going well. He is back on the grass with the sports science and fitness coaches, going through football related drills, but the actual freedom to come and join in with us is not there yet. Hopefully over the next week he will start slowly blending in [with the first team squad]. He still has a bit to go because he has been out for a long time, he needs a game programme, but to get him back on with us would be really pleasing for him because he has been so unlucky. The last time, 12-13 weeks ago, when he was going to join us he was so unlucky with the damage that was done. But the good news is that everything is settling down and he is feeling good. I saw him earlier and he said, ‘yes, I’m feeling great’.”

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Dele is only under contract at Everton through to the end of the 2023-24 campaign, meaning that he could hit free agency next summer. He may have cost the Toffees nothing by that point, with the first instalment of a complicated £30 million ($38m) deal that was struck with Spurs not due to be paid until he has made a further seven appearances.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR DELE?

He may get the chance to move towards that mark over the remainder of the season, with Everton having seven more games to take in before the end of the calendar year – including a Premier League home date with Newcastle on Thursday and a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with Fulham on December 19.

Chloe Kelly has been 'flying' in training ahead of the Lionesses' clash with Italy on Tuesday, as she looks to return to the team following a knock.

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Kelly missed Austria clash on Friday with a knockBut set to return for England vs ItalyBoost for Lionesses as Kirby heads homeWHAT HAPPENED?

Kelly missed England's emphatic 7-2 win over Austria on Friday because of a knock she picked up in training. However, Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman looks set to have the winger back available for the team's second fixture of this international break.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT WIEGMAN SAID

Asked about Kelly's fitness in her Monday press conference, Wiegman said: "She's good. She was flying in training so hopefully that's what she will do later on this morning and be ready for tomorrow."

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Kelly's return will be a boost for an England team that has just seen Fran Kirby leave the squad due to a minor injury. The Chelsea star was due to start against Austria on Friday but pulled out of the line-up in the warm-up due to irritation in her knee. Wiegman said on Monday that she wasn't expecting Kirby to have picked up "a bad injury", but that she has been sent back to her club because England didn't want to take any risks.

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Only Arsenal's Victoria Pelova has registered more assists in the Women's Super League this season than Kelly, who has been in flying form at club level. The Man City star has been directly involved in nine goals in 14 WSL games to help the Cityzens sit level on points with leaders Chelsea at the top of the table.

Sergio Ramos says he won't celebrate if he scores against Real Madrid on Sunday, but would be 'delighted' if a goal helped Sevilla to a crucial win.

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Ramos vows not to celebrate against RealConfesses he would be 'delighted' to winReturns to Bernabeu for first time since exitWHAT HAPPENED?

The defender returns to the Santiago Bernabeu as an opposing player for the first time since leaving the Spanish capital after a 16-year career, in which he won five Champions Leagues and five La Liga titles.

Ramos is prepared for what will be an emotional occasion and that respect for the fans and the club means he would not celebrate a goal. But he does admit he would be more than happy if he could help his struggling Sevilla side come away with three crucial points.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT SERGIO RAMOS SAID

"I have a lot of respect for the fans and for Real Madrid," Ramos told . "If I score, I won't celebrate, but if I'm lucky enough to score and that goal is enough to win, I'll be delighted because those three points will come in very handy.

"I'm going to feel at home because I've spent many years there, the most important moments of my career, I have wonderful memories of the fans and my teammates. It will be a unique and emotional moment.

"Real Madrid is the favourite every year to win everything. They are going through a good moment, they are leaders and have players of extraordinary quality. We know the stadium very well and we're going to try to play a good game there."

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Ramos did play against Real Madrid earlier this season when the two sides met in Andalusia in October, sharing the spoils after Dani Carvajal rescued a point for Los Blancos

A previous return to the Bernabeu had been on the cards in Ramos' first season at Paris Saint-Germain when the clubs were drawn against each other in the last 16 of the Champions League – but a calf injury ruled the defender out of the tie.

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WHAT NEXT FOR SERGIO RAMOS AND REAL MADRID?

A primetime television audience will tune in on Sunday night as Madrid look to crank the pressure up further on second-placed Girona while Sevilla seek to continue the run that has helped them ease clear of the drop zone.

Jurgen Klopp has explained why Liverpool are eager to avoid sending their teenage wonderkids down the same path as “darts sensation” Luke Littler.

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Youngsters starring for Premier League giantsBoss eager to curb expectationsProspects in other sports under the spotlightGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

At the age of just 16, Littler became a global sporting sensation when making the final of the World Darts Championship at the start of 2024. His every move is now dissected in minute detail, with pressure lumped onto his young shoulders every time that he takes to the oche.

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Liverpool have found their own collection of teenage stars in football circles, with the likes of Jayden Danns, Lewis Koumas, Jarell Quansah, James McConnell, Conor Bradley and Bobby Clark seeing Carabao Cup final game time before getting among the goals in an FA Cup fifth-round win over Southampton on Wednesday.

GettyWHAT KLOPP SAID

Klopp is excited by the potential at his disposal, but has said of curbing expectations: “I understand it 100 per cent but it is a little bit like the new darts sensation [Littler], it is fine for tonight. But from tomorrow, leave the boys in the corner, please. And don’t ask: ‘Where are they now? Where are they now? Where are they now?’ They have a lot to improve and a lot to learn. And everyone who is with us, we should have our moments, they will have more moments than they ever would have expected, probably, so that is one thing.

“They are exceptional talents but of course it is not natural that a boy, 18, is calm as you like [for Danns’ first goal] and just chipped the ball there. The second goal I would have expected him to be there because he saw when Conor Bradley shot that the goalie cannot take it. He really arrives in these moments and he was hoping the keeper couldn’t hold it. We’ve said it a few times that the future does not look too bad but maybe the people don’t forget it when the transfer window opens. We have a couple of pretty promising players already, so don’t close the door for them with 12 signings. Joe Gomez saved our lives 20 times tonight and the kids kept us in the competition. So we can talk about the boys but but the real story today is Joe Gomez. The game he played today I have never seen before, with chaos around him, as a No.6, I couldn’t respect it more.”

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DID YOU KNOW?

Liverpool also gave minutes to 16-year-old Trey Nyoni against the Saints, as he became the club’s youngest player to feature in the FA Cup, and Klopp told of another hot prospect: “We should not forget that Trey came on as well. What a player he is! Oh my God! With Trey you can see there is absolutely no body, I don’t know what his weight is, but he’s very mature on the ball. It is special and for me strange as well. I never had that, that you play with so many kids. It is a really interesting experience.”

Aston Villa sporting director Johan Lange is plotting a move to bolster the club’s attack ahead of a crucial 2022/23 campaign.

What’s the word?

According to French outlet But, Villa are interested in Lille striker Jonathan David, with the Ligue 1 club reportedly asking for €50m (£42.5m) to sign the Canada international.

West Ham are also interested in the 22-year-old and there could be an interesting battle ahead to secure the services of the North American gem.

Watkins upgrade

Steven Gerrard has had a mixed start to his tenure at Villa so far, having arrived from Rangers in mid-November. The early signs were promising but a poor run of results over the festive period set them back, although they head into Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace with a shot at a top-half finish.

Gerrard will likely be aiming to bring in his own players in the summer and his forward options urgently need a rejig, so a move for David could be a shrewd one.

The Canadian has netted 87 goals between club and country during his relatively short career so far, with the striker being described as “fearless” and there is a reason why other clubs are sniffing around the 22-year-old.

This season, David has scored 13 league goals compared to 10 for Watkins, and the Lille frontman also has a greater shot on target percentage over the Villa striker (46.7% to 40.8%).

David has a higher pass completion rate than Watkins (79.2% to 71.4%) and draws slightly more fouls (44 to 43). These stats prove that, whilst the two close in some criteria, the Canadian looks like he will just keep getting better and better.

There seems little doubt he would be an upgrade on Watkins, and the onus is on for Gerrard to go and get his man before other clubs start to follow up on their interest.

AND in other news, Villa supporters will love this “unbelievable” thing that Jurgen Klopp has said…

Leeds United have held talks over a potential replacement for Raphinha, who seems set to depart Elland Road this off-season…

What’s the word?

According to Football Insider, the Yorkshire giants are working on a deal to sign Club Brugge winger Noa Lang after holding fresh discussions in recent weeks.

A recruitment source told the website that the Whites have continued to track the progress of the Dutch sensation and have laid the groundwork ahead of the summer.

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AC Milan are also keen, though, and the player is keen to move to an elite league, so relegation could hamper their chances tenfold.

It remains to be seen how much the 22-year-old dynamo would command, with Transfermarkt currently valuing him at £19.8m.

Bye-bye Raphinha

Indeed, regardless of what happens in terms of relegation and survival, it does appear as if it will be Raphinha’s last season in a Leeds shirt. Reports in Spain suggest that he is in advanced talks to join FC Barcelona.

Lang would be a very interesting replacement for him, though.

Last season, he was in electric form on Brugge’s way to the Jupiler Pro League title as he recorded 17 goals and 11 assists, and they look certain to repeat such exploits with the Holland international a major part once again, managing nine goals and 14 assists, via Transfermarkt.

It’s no wonder he’s been lauded as a “phenomenon” by Belgian journalist Peter Vandenbempt.

The 5 foot 10 former Ajax dynamo has arguably been one of the best in his position across Europe.

As per FBRef, Lang ranks amongst the top 2% of attackers and wingers for progressive passes (6.15 per 90) and top 5% for progressive carries (9,91 per 90), meaning he is consistently trying to break into the penalty box to create chances for himself or his teammates.

Given the fact that Raphinha leads the way for goals at Elland Road, he has big shoes to fill and on the above evidence, the Brugge sensation could well be an ideal like-for-like successor.

Opening talks with him almost certainly means that Raphinha is on the way out as Leeds are pretty stacked for wingers if he were to remain.

Premier League safety must now be sealed as Lang would be quite the signing indeed.

AND in other news, Marsch could already have Leeds’ next Liam Cooper in “really strong” 17 y/o colossus…

Manchester United are planning a summer swoop for Lille’s Netherlands international, Sven Botman.

What’s the word

That is according to Football Insider sources, who claim that United are willing to hijack AC Milan’s proposed deal in a bid to strengthen their own backline.

As per the report, Milan are in advanced talks to sign the defender in a reported deal of around £25m.

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Though a United source has apparently revealed that the Red Devils are exploring a move for the 22-year-old, after incoming manager Erik ten Hag held a transfer summit with his new coaches in Mitchell van der Gaag and Steve McClaren, with United’s Director of Football, John Murtough, also present.

Botman’s name reportedly came up in those talks, and it was agreed that preliminary talks to sign the Ajax youth product would take place.

Ten Hag’s new De Ligt

After progressing through the Ajax ranks, Botman’s rise to regular professional football was not as seamless as previous golden boy De Ligt.

Botman left Ajax without making a single appearance for the first team and after a season of senior football under his belt via a loan spell at Heerenveen, he made the move to Lille where he has developed into a “leader” and established himself as a high-quality and reliable centre-back, one known as a “beast”.

As a left-footed centre-back, he would slot right in at United, with Ten Hag preferring to use natural-footed central defenders in his backline.

In Ligue 1 this season, Botman is Lille’s third highest goalscorer with three goals, but it’s his ability on the ball and defensive competence that has seen him become a much sought after target amongst Europe’s elite.

With an average of 53.8 accurate passes per 90, he would rank second at United this season, just behind Nemanja Matic with an average of 58.9 and above Raphael Varane – his potential defensive partner – who boasts an average of 49.7 accurate passes per 90.

Though, Botman’s average of 4.6 clearances per 90 rank him first in the Lille squad and would do so in comparison to Manchester United’s squad also, with the closest competition being Varane, who registers an average of 3.8 clearances per 90. It’s also worth noting that both players surpass that of De Ligt’s average of 3.3 clearances per 90 with whom Botman is a ‘similar’ player according to FB Ref.

That just boosts Botman’s identity as a no-nonsense centre-back.

In other news: Romano: Man United have “full agreement” for key summer arrival, ten Hag will love it