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      Cristiano Ronaldo lined up by David Beckham’s Inter Miami as they prepare sensational January transfer swoop

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      DAVID BECKHAM’S Inter Miami are lining up a sensational January window swoop for Cristiano Ronaldo.America’s MLS side are planning a return bid to try and sign the Manchester United superstar, after failing last summer.
      Cristiano Ronaldo is a transfer target for Inter MiamiCredit: AFP
      David Beckham wants to bring CR7 to the MLSCredit: Reuters
      But Old Trafford legend and former team-mate Wayne Rooney claims the five-time Ballon D’Or winner – now 37 – is past his best.
      Rooney – now boss at MLS side DC United – insisted: “Cristiano and Lionel Messi are two of the greatest players to ever play the game.
      “But, ultimately, time catches up with us all. It’s a tough one for Cristiano. He is obviously not the player he was when he was 22 or 23.”
      Old Trafford insiders claim Ronaldo would seriously consider a move to America, after spending much of the season on the bench under new boss Erik ten Hag.
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      And Rooney added: “Knowing him, it’ll be very difficult for him to sit on the bench.”
      Inter, the club ex-United star Beckham helped found in 2018, have sounded out the possibility, and prepared to offer a £30million package for the Portuguese legend.
      United knocked back an attempt to sign him on a free in the last transfer window, insisting they wanted a fee.
      Inter, who reached the MLS play-offs last week, believe Ronaldo could now be available for nothing, after Ten Hag made it obvious he does not have a major role in his plans.
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      Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain is their current marquee player, but he is retiring at the end of the season – and signing one of football’s all-time greats would be viewed as a massive coup.
      Ronaldo, who took Beckham’s No.7 shirt when he joined United first time round, still harbours a dream of playing in Europe – and the Champions League – and PSG would consider a move if Messi returned to Barcelona in the summer.
      But waiting for a move to France which might never happen would be a huge gamble for the Portuguese striker… and Inter want to seal a deal before then.
      It could see him remain at Old Trafford for the rest of the English season, although United are more likely to let him go in January – if the terms are acceptable.
      Training ground sources believe Ronaldo might now use the Qatar World Cup as his top-flight swansong.
      Ronaldo has made only one league start under ten Hag – the 4-0 hiding at Brentford – and five more off the bench.
      Read More on The Sun
      He has played in all three Europa League games, and his solitary goal this season came in September’s win over Moldovan minnows Sheriff Tiraspol.
      Insiders insist his training levels and attitude are still impressive, but also say he is downcast at his situation.
      Ronaldo is one away from 700 club goalsCredit: Getty More

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      My new puppy was accidentally left home alone and trashed five sets of curtains, reveals Gary Lineker

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      GARY Lineker has told how his new puppy trashed five sets of curtains after he was accidentally left home alone.The Match of the Day host, 61, blamed a misunderstanding with his eldest son George for the carnage by his rescue dog Filbert.
      Gary Lineker with his dog Filbert
      Ex-footballer Gary hosts BBC’s Match of the Day
      Gary said the mutt gets into a “terrible state” when alone.
      Ex Danielle Bux was dogsitting at his home while he was away in Ibiza, but she had to go out one afternoon.
      So the previous night, ex-footballer Gary asked his four sons via text if any of them could look after Filbert the next day.
      He said: “I woke up the next morning, George had replied, ‘I can do it’. I went, ‘Great’.
      “So that evening I called George. I went ‘Everything OK with Fils?’ He went ‘F***!’. I went, ‘What do you mean?’
      READ MORE ON GARY LINEKER
      “He went, ‘I thought you meant tomorrow’ — because he’d woken up seeing, ‘Can you do it tomorrow’ the morning after I’d sent the text.”
      Siberian Husky-cross Filbert, who Lineker adopted from a US charity in April, was left alone for around five hours.
      He told podcast Walking the Dog of the damage: “Five sets of curtains. Five. One in the front room, two in the bedroom, one in the main room downstairs and one in the guest bedroom.”
      Most read in The Sun
      Filbert is named after the former ground of Leicester City — Gary’s first senior club.
      Asked if it would help to play Match of the Day in the house, for Filbert to see and hear him, Gary replied: “I’m worried he might not like the show or he might like Alan Shearer more than me. That would be awful.” More

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      Real Madrid move in on Jude Bellingham and are confident of beating Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea to £87m transfer

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      REAL MADRID are poised to pip the Prem big guns to land Jude Bellingham for £87million next summer.The Spanish giants have made their opening moves in the race to sign the Borussia Dortmund star, despite the Prem sides having monitored him since his Birmingham days.
      Real Madrid are confident of sealing a deal for Jude Bellingham ahead of his Prem suitorsCredit: Getty
      Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and champions Manchester City are all eyeing the 19-year-old.
      But Madrid believe they are in pole position to persuade Dortmund to agree a deal ahead of a move at the end of the season.
      The Bernabeu hierarchy see Bellingham’s arrival completing the overhaul of their midfield engine room.
      Real, who sold Brazilian Casemiro to Manchester United in August, know that time is running out for Luka Modric, 37, and 32-year-old Toni Kroos.
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      But having already recruited French duo Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, Madrid think England ace Bellingham would be the perfect third piece in that central jigsaw.
      Madrid have leaked their determination and interest to the big Spanish sports newspapers, with Marca splashing a picture of Bellingham on their front page yesterday.
      It was the clearest sign that Real are pushing hard and the club is briefing that conversations between the two clubs have now started.
      But that will be a body-blow for the Prem sides who have been equally keen to bring Bellingham back to England after seeing the box-to-box livewire live up to all his billing in the Bundesliga.
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      Bellingham, who quit Brum for Dortmund in 2020, is expected to be in England’s starting XI at next month’s World Cup, where his profile could go even higher.
      His latest man-of-the-match masterclass, with a superb run and finish in Dortmund’s 4-1 Champions League win at Sevilla on Wednesday, was further evidence of why he is so highly prized.
      While Dortmund kept him last summer by putting a £115m valuation on his back, it is anticipated that they will be more likely to accept a lower offer next year.
      But Real’s early move means the Prem sides will have to blow any Real bid out of the water to have a chance of persuading Bellingham that his future lies in England and not LaLiga.
      Bellingham will be the centre of an almighty transfer tussle next summerCredit: Getty More

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      Inside Jack Grealish’s new £6m mansion with garden bigger than the Etihad and incredible millionaire’s feature

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      FOOTBALLER Jack Grealish has spent £6million on a stunning mansion which comes with its own helipad.The seven-bedroom home also has a fishing lake, tennis court, golf tee and green, vegetable plot — and enough room for a full-size footie pitch in its 20 acres.
      Jack Grealish has spent £6 million on a stunning mansion in the North West
      The luxurious property is said to have blown Grealish’s breath away
      The property boasts a swimming pool, gym and leisure suiteCredit:
      And Manchester City and England winger Jack, 27, can entertain his mates as there is a swimming pool, leisure suite, gym, wine store and plenty of other areas for him to practise his new-found love of DJing.
      There is even a  cottage within the grounds where friends and family can  stay if he runs out of room in the main building.
      The helipad has inconspicuous landing lights, enabling guests to arrive by air at any time of the day or night.
      A source said: “Jack has a taste for the finer things in life and this home really took his breath away.
      Manchester City star Grealish has invested after making his £100 million move to the clubCredit: Alamy
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      “It’s the culmination of a dream for him. Anyone would be very proud to own such a home.
      “Despite the price, he feels like he’s got a bit of a bargain.
      “It offers him everything — if he wants to throw a massive party away from prying eyes, he can do.
      “Likewise, if he wants to chill out and sunbathe or do a bit of fishing, it’s all on his doorstep.”
      Most read in The Sun
      The property is regarded as one of the safest in the North West, with state-of-the-art security cameras and lighting.
      Grealish finalised the deal earlier this year and is believed to have paid cash.
      Prior to moving to City in August last year, the former Aston Villa star lived in a £1.75million six-bedroom detached house in a village south of Birmingham.
      The £100million man and girlfriend Sasha Attwood, 26, have been living in a rented flat in Manchester, which has a five-a-side footie pitch on its rooftop.
      Grealish’s garden at the 20-acre mansion is bigger than The Etihad stadiumCredit:
      Grealish finalised the deal earlier this year and is believed to have paid with cash – pictured the property’s spacious kitchenCredit:
      Jack Grealish’s £6 million mansion is ‘the culmination of a dream’ for the footballerCredit:
      Grealish’s new dream home is regarded as one of the safest properties in the region More

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      I got a box full of ‘top secret’ Premier League footballs sent to me by accident

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      A THRILLED Brentford fan was sent a dozen “top­secret” Premier League balls by mistake.Miki Morisson was expecting a hoodie when he found Nike prototypes in a box dropped off by courier firm DPD.
      Miki Morisson was shocked when he was sent a dozen ‘top­secret’ Premier League balls by mistake.Credit: Paul Edwards
      The electrician, 27, said: “As soon as I saw they were Premier League standard, I got quite excited.
      “My hoodie only cost a few quid but these balls are just priceless.”
      Four boxes of test balls for next season had been sent to Brentford’s training ground, close to Miki’s home in Hounslow, West London.
      They weree specially embossed with Nike Flight 2023-2024.
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      Club bosses and Nike were frantic after one went missing.
      It is thought the mix-up happened when a sticker with Miki’s address was put on the box.
      A Nike source said: “Losing 12 was a big concern.
      “They are top-secret until next season.”
      Most read in The Sun
      Relieved club bosses collected the balls after The Sun alerted them — and Miki finally got his hoodie.
      Last night a DPD spokeswoman apologised for the error.
      Four boxes of test balls for next season had been sent to Brentford’s training ground, close to Miki’s home in Hounslow, West London.Credit: Paul Edwards
      It is thought the mix-up happened when a sticker with Miki’s address was put on the boxCredit: Paul Edwards More

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      City ace Gundogan’s wife Sara Arfaoui slammed for blasting Manchester’s ‘horrible frozen food’ in cost of living crisis

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      THE wife of Manchester City ace Ilkay Gundogan has dished up a storm — by rubbishing the local restaurants.Italian Sara Arfaoui, 27, moaned there were no good places to eat out in the city, and was fed up with “horrible frozen food”.
      Italian Sara Arfaoui, 27, wife of Manchester City ace Ilkay Gundogan has whipped up a storm — by rubbishing the local restaurants
      Sara, Ilkay Gundogan, claimed there were no good restaurants there, despite one of them being owned by her hubby’s City boss Pep Guardiola
      Sara’s Instagram post, which food experts labelled ‘preposterous’
      She added: “Maybe in London but in Manchester nothing.”
      Italian Sara Arfaoui claimed there were no good restaurants there, despite one of them being owned by her hubby’s City boss Pep Guardiola.
      Food experts labelled her comments “preposterous” and said Manchester was an “absolute gem of a place to eat”.
      One restaurant owner contacted her directly, only for Sara — who married City midfielder Ilkay, 31, in May — to double down on her remarks.
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      Asked to name her favourite Manchester restaurant, she posted online: “Sorry, I’m sad to be honest but nothing. I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but horrible food everywhere.
      “Can’t find a real Italian or good sushi or just fresh food . . . everywhere frozen.” 
      She said restaurants are “focusing on making money with drinks”, instead of “quality food”.
      The model concluded: “Maybe in London but in Manchester nothing. I’m sorry.”
      Last night, foodies united to pan her views. Critic Jay Rayner said: “This is a ludicrous point of view. Manchester’s packed full of brilliant, independent restaurants.
      I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but horrible food everywhere. Sara Arfaoui
      “It’s an absolute gem of a place to eat and comments like this during difficult economic times are not helpful to businesses struggling to make ends meet.”
      One local restaurant owner told Sara in a message: “There’s so many great restaurants in Manchester. I suggest you do research before you speak.”
      They added: “And only because your husband is a footballer and you have money and you have everything probably paid for and a great life given to you here in Manchester.
      “You should be grateful for that instead of slagging restaurants.”
      But Sara — whose German hubby, left, was appointed City skipper by Guardiola this season — hit back: “So because we are successful people we can’t give an honest opinion?
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      “I tried all the best restaurants here but for me it’s a no. I can’t lie.
      Unfortunately I’m used to Italy so you can imagine it’s hard to compare.”
      She added: “It’s a great city, great people but not for restaurants.”
      Among the local eateries is Spanish restaurant Tast, co-owned by Guardiola, and Mana, given a Michelin star in 2019, the first in the city for over 40 years.
      MasterChef winner Simon Wood owns Wood Manchester, while Great British Menu champ Adam Reid runs The French inside The Midland Hotel.
      The Bombay Cuisine in Prestwich has also just scooped National Take-away of The Year.
      Mana head chef and owner Simon Martin told The Sun: “The idea that restaurants here only serve frozen food is obviously preposterous. 
      Read More on The Sun
      “In addition, the restaurant industry is far too difficult a trade to warrant only doing it for money.”
      Sara is not the first Wag to slam Manchester. Jorgelina Cardoso, wife of ex-United star Angel Di Maria, said in 2020: “It was horrible — a s***hole.”
      Food experts slammed Sara’s comments and said Manchester was an ‘absolute gem of a place to eat’
      Ilkay was appointed City skipper by manager Pep Guardiola this seasonCredit: Getty
      Spanish restaurant Tast, co-owned by Guardiola
      Mana, given a Michelin star in 2019, the first in the city for over 40 years More

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      Steven Gerrard’s daughter Lilly, 18, finds love with son of villain linked to crime cartel

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      STEVEN Gerrard’s daughter Lilly has found love with the son of a villain linked to a notorious crime cartel.Influencer Lilly, 18, has been seeing Lee Byrne, 23, since around April.
      Lilly Gerrard has recently returned from a holiday to Ibiza with her boyfriend
      Influencer Lilly Gerrard has been seeing Lee Byrne for the last few monthsCredit:
      Lilly is said to be a frequent visitor to Lee’s apartment in Formby
      The pair enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in Ibiza this summer, said to be there at the same time with friends, and have shared photos online including one of Lee kissing her on the head.
      Another snap shows Lee relaxing on a private jet as he and Lilly — who has nearly 200,000 followers on Instagram — returned home to the UK in style last week from a trip.
      There is no suggestion either are involved with the gang or any criminality.
      Lilly’s former England and Liverpool star dad Steven, 42, was last week pictured alongside Lee’s dad Liam, 41, on a video call.
      READ MORE ON STEVEN GERRARD
      Byrne Snr is a close associate of Irish businessman Daniel Kinahan, who has been linked to killings in the UK, money laundering and a multi-million pound drug smuggling racket.
      Byrne Snr’s links to the Kinahan cartel emerged in Ireland’s High Court in 2018 when it was claimed that he was at “the very top tier” of organised crime.
      Lawyers told the court Byrne was a “close and trusted associate and lieutenant” of Kinahan.
      Lee had his own brush with the law in January when he was given a warning by Merseyside Police for crashing his £80,000 BMW M3 on the M62.
      Most read in The Sun
      Friends say he and Lilly enjoy going on dates and she has been a frequent visitor to his apartment in Formby.
      The pair have also been spotted at a coffee bar.
      In one image she shared online, Lilly showed off Lee’s initials on one of her fingernails, while in snaps of them together she has covered his face with a love heart emoji.
      The pair were also spotted taking the Gerrard family’s two dogs Barney and Blondie for a walk in Formby.
      Last week, a video emerged of Aston Villa manager Gerrard with Byrne Snr sat together in a bar in Ibiza.
      It is not known how the pair met but during the video call, Gerrard offered to take a Liverpool fan to “see the Reds” as Byrne sits next to him and smiles.
      Read More on The Sun
      Byrne then offered to arrange a dinner with Gerrard and the fan at Byrne’s home in the UK.
      Gerrard’s reps were contacted for comment.
      Lilly celebrated as dad Steven led Rangers to win the Scottish Premiership title in 2021Credit: INSTAGRAM/ LILLY.GERRARDD
      Lilly Gerrard has more than 200,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram
      Lilly’s dad Steven played football for Liverpool and EnglandCredit: instagram
      Lilly and Lee enjoyed a sun-soaked holiday in Ibiza this summerCredit: Instagram
      Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard has recently had contact with Byrne SrCredit: Getty More

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      Ex-England ace Jermain Defoe begged nurse for sex – just one month after £200K wedding to wife Donna Tierney

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      EX-ENGLAND footie star Jermain Defoe messaged a nurse begging for sex just days after marrying Donna Tierney.Defoe, 39, now a TV pundit, tried to lure the woman for a romp in his Range Rover.
      Jermain Defoe is accused of attempting to arrange a hook-up weeks after getting married to Donna TierneyCredit: instagram
      Former England striker Defoe contacted the woman via InstagramCredit: Getty
      Jermain asked the 40-year-old mum for a romp in his Range RoverCredit: instagram
      Now a youth academy coach and ambassador for Spurs, the former Three Lions ace began contacting the 40-year-old mum in July.
      On June 4, Spurs hero Defoe, 39, wed Donna Tierney, 40, at stately home Cliveden House, Berks, in a £200,000 ceremony ­featured on the front page of OK! magazine.
      In the glossy magazine, he said: “This is my future, this is forever, this is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
      The event, attended by a clutch of former England stars including Ledley King and Shaun Wright-Phillips, was featured across 14 pages of the June 27 issue.
      READ MORE JERMAIN DEFOE
      But on July 14, Defoe began messaging the woman, who we are not naming, via ­Instagram and later tried to arrange a meet-up.
       She said: “I’d met ­Jermain years ago in a bar, but nothing happened.
      “We stayed in touch a bit over WhatsApp but I hadn’t spoken to him for ages.
      “Then he started messaging me on Instagram in July. He was desperate to meet me and we flirted a lot.
      Most read in The Sun
      “But ultimately, he wasn’t very charming — he clearly only had one thing in his mind.
      “Then, when I realised he was married, I didn’t want it to go any further.
      “It wouldn’t have been fair on his wife. Who on Earth does that so soon after vowing to spend the rest of their life with someone?
      “I suppose I felt he was the powerful one, the famous and wealthy former footballer.
      “Our messages were a bit of fun at the time, but there was no point in carrying it on.
      “I felt like I was wasting my time and once I realised he had a wife, I didn’t want to continue speaking to him.
      “It’s not right. I feel really bad about it all.”
      On June 21, Defoe gleefully declared on Instagram how ­“dedicating my whole life” to Donna was “one of the easiest things I’ve ever done”.
      Jermain Defoe’s wedding to Donna Tierney was the front page of OK! magazine
      He shared a mock-up of the cover of OK! showing the couple at their luxury Cliveden House wedding — scene of the Profumo sex scandal and where Meghan stayed on the eve of marrying Prince Harry.
      Defoe thanked the glossy mag for “showcasing our special day” and excitedly told his 563,000 followers the “full copy is out now”.
      In his chat with the magazine Defoe told how he had finally found “the right one” in his new partner.
      Beauty therapist Donna spoke of pals talking about “how special” Defoe’s wedding speech was, and that it “showed how much he appreciates me”.
      Ironically, he first “met” Donna several years ago by ‘liking’ her pictures on social media — in a similar way to his latest pursuit.
      After the wedding, the couple went on honeymoon to the Maldives.
      Jermain Defoe and new wife Donna Defoe posed at Wimbledon after their honeymoonCredit: instagram
      On July 6, the newlyweds posed outside Wimbledon’s Centre Court, with the ace boasting on Instagram: “Really enjoyed watching the tennis today at ­Wimbledon with my wife @Donna_Defoe.”
      But in his messages with the woman, which began eight days later, he called her “babe” in voice notes and asked to meet up.
      On August 19, he told her he wanted to romp with her in the back of his Range Rover.
      Defoe met wife Donna in January 2021 when she asked him for a signed football shirt for a charity do.
      The pair hit it off and Defoe proposed at a top Glasgow hotel seven months later.
      He spelled out “Marry Me” with lights in their penthouse suite, which he decorated with heart-shaped balloons and rose petals, and got down on one knee.
      The pair chose the swanky 376-acre Cliveden House for a three-day wedding extravaganza, after Defoe read Meghan had stayed there.
      He wore a three-piece off-white suit, black trousers and a bow tie, and said his “eyes just started welling up” when he saw Donna approaching the altar.
      Among their 360 guests were Defoe’s pals Ledley King, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Carlton Cole.
      Their first dance was to Luther Vandross’s Always And Forever. The celebrations lasted until 7am and included fire-eaters, flamethrowers, a Caribbean buffet and a makeshift nightclub.
      Last Wednesday, Defoe — who scored 20 goals in his 50 caps for England — was at Wembley for Channel 4’s coverage of the Three Lions,  alongside host Jules Breach, and ex-players Joe Cole and Thomas Hitzlsperger.
      Defoe, known for his charity work, has previously been dogged by cheating rumours — including on his singer ex Alexandra Burke.
      He was also accused in 2017 of causing the break-up of radio presenter Ben Weston’s marriage, months after he bought a hot tub from his saleswoman wife Sally.
      Read More on The Sun
      Defoe denied any wrongdoing.
      His agents were approached for comment on the latest claims.
      Jermain Defoe was a TV pundit for the England v Germany game this past weekCredit: Channel 4Goalden career of OBE aceJERMAIN Defoe scored 227 goals in 624 club matches in a 23-year career.

      The prolific striker also found the net 20 times in 57 England matches.
      One of his goals for the Three Lions was at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa against Slovenia.
      Defoe played for seven clubs — West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth, Toronto FC, Sunderland, Bournemouth and Rangers.He finally hung up his boots in March of this year.
      Defoe had his most fruitful days during two spells at Spurs — scoring 143 goals.
      He was awarded an OBE in 2018 for his charitable work with the Jermain Defoe Foundation. More