Chelsea sign 19-year-old Strasbourg defender, Ronaldo intends to remain at Al Nassr
CHELSEA HAVE SIGNED 19-year-old defender Mamadou Sarr from Strasbourg on an eight-year deal.
The France Under-19 international played 27 times in Ligue 1 last season, his first full campaign in the top flight, as they – managed by Liam Rosenior – finished seventh to qualify for the Conference League.
Strasbourg are owned by Chelsea's parent company BlueCo, with Sarr to become the latest player to have spent time at both clubs.
Central defence is considered a priority for strengthening this summer after a season in which injuries badly disrupted that area of the pitch.
Advertisement
First-choice Wesley Fofana made only 14 appearances in the Premier League last term and his availability prospects are a concern, the former Leicester defender having been fit to play just 29 times in the league in the three seasons since he moved to Stamford Bridge.
At 19, Sarr is unlikely to be put straight into the team, meaning at present, Enzo Maresca's side are dependent on Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile as their fit senior central defenders ahead of the Club World Cup.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed he intends to stay with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.
There had been speculation – fuelled by Fifa president Gianni Infantino – the five-time Ballon d'Or winner could join a club competing in this summer's Club World Cup on a short-term deal.
The 40-year-old had also hinted his future could lie elsewhere when he posted a message on social media at the end of Al Nassr's season that read: 'This chapter is over. The story? Still being written.'
But speaking after Portugal's triumph over Spain in the Uefa Nations League final on Sunday – in which Ronaldo scored his 138th international goal – the former Real Madrid and Manchester United star said he would not be moving on.
'Future? Nothing will change. Al Nassr? Yes,' the forward told reporters.
Elsewhere, West Ham are yet to make a formal decision on the future of Michail Antonio despite the forward being listed as a 'free transfer' on the club's retained list.
Antonio's current contract is due to expire on June 30 and the Jamaica international is still sidelined after being involved in a car crash in December, which left him with a broken femur.
It was announced on Monday that Antonio will appear in the Premier League's retained list as a 'free transfer', but West Ham's current priority is to help him on the road to recovery.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Pep Guardiola warns he will swing the axe to trim Man City squad with 17 stars' futures in doubt
PEP GUARDIOLA has warned he will have to swing the axe to trim his Manchester City squad. England trio Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips were left at home when City boss Guardiola named a Advertisement 3 Pep Guardiola is ready for a summer overhaul at Man City Credit: Getty 3 Jack Grealish, out of favour under Pep, is being targeted by Napoli Credit: Alamy 3 Defender John Stones wants to stay and battle for a place next season Credit: Getty And midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is the latest star to be linked with a move away from the Etihad Guardiola said: 'With Ilkay, no news is good news. I don't know anything and I didn't speak with him. 'But at the same time we have — right now — a long squad, too many players. We cannot go with 26, 27 players this season because there would be more not playing. 'Step by step maybe a few players are going to move.' Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBALL Guardiola says his squad is currently too large - despite the demands of competing for the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. The Etihad chief has brought in seven new faces during the calendar year ... and now has more than THIRTY outfield men. So several will either be sent out on loan or sold before the transfer window closes at the end of August. Guardiola admits it will be agonising to show the door to some players he would rather keep with him - but feels he must be fair to those who would rarely feature. Advertisement Most read in Football Breaking BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK The Spaniard, 54, added: 'I would love to have the players that we have now all season. I would love it. 'I don't have any complaints about the players, how they behave. Kyle Walker seals Everton deal & Grealish to Napoli, Newcastle & Spurs STILL ON | Transfers Exposed 'The problem is they will be unhappy during the season. Advertisement 'They will be sad, they will be disappointed. I don't want that. 'For me it's not a problem. I have more selection and I don't like six, seven players, just in case, no injuries, being at home. 'So I do it that way. I do that for them. That's why we have to see what happens. We still have a long time, I would say, until the transfer window will be closed. We'll see what happens step by step.' Promising midfielder James McAtee, 22, is likely to leave after deciding to go to the Euros with England Under-21s rather than join City in the USA. Advertisement There is a question mark over the future of Croatian midfielder Who stays and who goes at Man City? AFTER a disappointing 2024-25 season, Pep Guardiola is overhauling his Manchester City squad. SunSport's MARTIN BLACKBURN analyses the state of play at the Etihad . . . INS Newcomers Tijjani Reijnders from Milan, Rayan Cherki from Lyon, Wolves' Rayan Ait-Nouri and former Chelsea goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli bolster the squad. The likes of Stefan Ortega, Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol, Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva, Savinho, Omar Marmoush, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and a fit-again Rodri are staying as they bid to improve on last year's below-par campaign. OUTS Loyal servant Kyle Walker, 35, looks to have kicked his last ball for City. Jack Grealish is also on the move from the Etihad, with Napoli the frontrunners for the wideman — who cost Pep's side £100million in 2021. Kalvin Phillips, James McAtee and Maximo Perrone are also heading for the exit door. MAYBES The futures of keeper Ederson, John Stones, Rico Lewis, Vitor Reis, Abdukodir Khusanov, Nico O'Reilly, Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Nico Gonzalez, Matheus Nunes, Claudio Echeverri and Oscar Bobb are not yet set in stone. Most will be kept but some will go — either permanently or on loan — to free up space in the squad. Defender John Stones had a disastrous season — missing 34 games due to injuries — and is heading into the final year of his contract. He has been linked But the 31-year-old is determined to see out the next 12 months and complete a decade at the Etihad rather than look for a new challenge. Advertisement Asked if he has heard anything from the club about a new deal, Stones said: 'Nothing really, But I'm here and I want to stay here. 'I love it. I'm here to help the team. I don't know what's been said or speculated, but I hope that shuts it down.' Yenan Yildiz struck twice as City's final Group G opponents Juventus beat Moroccan side Wydad Casablanca 4-1 at the Club World Cup. Striker Yildiz had earlier forced defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil to turn the ball into his own net for the opener, while Dusan Vlahovic's penalty wrapped up the Italian giants' win. Advertisement
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Real Madrid move closer to CWC knockout stages with win over Pachuca
Real Madrid shrugged off an early red card for Raul Asencio to move closer to the knockout stages of the Club World Cup after a 3-1 win over Mexican side Pachuca in Charlotte. Asencio was sent off in the seventh minute for hauling down Salomon Rondon and things looked bleak for the Spanish giants, who had been held to a frustrating draw by Al Hilal in their opening match, and were missing Kylian Mbappe due to illness. But after soaking up a spell of pressure, Real broke the deadlock through Jude Bellingham in the 35th minute before Arda Guler doubled the lead ahead of half-time. Federico Valverde volleyed in a third with 20 minutes left, before the Mexicans grabbed a late consolation through Elias Montiel's deflected effort. Real Madrid conclude their Group H fixtures against Red Bull Salzburg in Philadelphia on June 26. Kenan Yildiz scored twice as Juventus seized control of Group G with a 4-1 win over Wydad Casablanca. The Italian side, who opened their campaign by thumping Al Ain 5-0, were tested by the Moroccans for whom Thembinkosi Lorch's effort sparked thunderous celebrations. Yildiz had a hand in Juve's opener after six minutes when his shot was deflected in by Wydad defender Abdelmounaim Boutouil. Yildiz doubled Juve's advantage after 16 minutes when he lashed int the top corner from the edge of the box, before Lorch gave Wydad hope with a cool chip to reduce the deficit after 25 minutes. Wydad pushed for an equaliser but Juventus rode out with the storm with Andrea Cambiaso striking the woodwork before Yildiz grabbed his side's third after 70 minutes and Dusan Vlahovic completed victory with an injury time penalty.
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney lands new job working alongside fellow Premier League icon
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Wayne Rooney has landed a new job which will see him work alongside a fellow Premier League icon. Wazza, 39, has been on the hunt for a fresh gig after 6 Wayne Rooney has landed a new job after leaving Plymouth Argyle Credit: Getty 6 The Man Utd legend is set to link up with another Premier League icon Credit: AFP The And it marked another underwhelming dugout performance following spells at Derby, DC United and Birmingham. Rooney has since He also captained and managed England at Soccer Aid earlier this month, scoring the fastest goal in the charity match's history before ex-United teammate Carlos Tevez banged in four to hand victory to a World XI. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL However, Rooney is now truly back in the beautiful game after landing a new job. But it is not another managerial stint for England's former captain. Instead, Rooney has linked up with a luxury training camp for children called The company organises half-term retreats for kids and their parents in exotic locations like Cyprus, Portugal and the Maldives. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The children get to spend their time playing football and learning from legends like Rooney. While parents have plenty of free time to rest and relax by the pool. Wayne Rooney names three players Man Utd should sign this summer including transfer for iconic former star 6 Rooney has joined Football Escapes to coach children's football at luxury locations Credit: Instagram @footballescapes 6 Rooney is heading back to Dubai after coaching there earlier this year Credit: Instagram @footballescapes Now, Rooney will get his boots back on for an October retreat to Dubai, having previously worked for them during an event in February. He will teach aspiring youngsters the ropes alongside a fellow Premier League icon in ex-Tottenham and England defender Michael Dawson. But training with Rooney doesn't come cheap. Football Escapes are advertising a seven-day stay for a family of four at the 5-star Jumeirah Beach Hotel for £8499 on their website – and that's BEFORE flights. A statement read: 'By popular demand, Wayne Rooney will be returning to Dubai, alongside Michael Dawson, for a week of Football Escapes magic this October Half Term, 20th - 24th October 2025. 'The kids will train daily, in their personalised kit, with our ambassadors and UEFA-qualified coaches, building their confidence and their skills with coaching from none other than Wayne Rooney. 'Including daily coaching from Wayne Rooney, a signed shirt, our incredible Parents' Match, a medals ceremony to round off the week, and of course a stay for you and your family at the world class Jumeirah Beach Hotel Resort in Dubai.' 6 Rooney will coach alongside Michael Dawson Credit: Getty 6 The former defender starred for Tottenham and England Credit: Action Images - Reuters
