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      Man Utd announce Amad Diallo transfer as first January signing for £37m as 18-year-old joins from Atalanta

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER promised Manchester United fans one of the most exciting young players in world football with the arrival of Amad Diallo.
      The Red Devils have confirmed the £37million transfer of 18-year-old Diallo from Atalanta as their first January signing.

      Amad Diallo’s £37m transfer to Manchester United from Atalanta has been confirmedCredit: Twitter @Amaddiallo79

      The clubs agreed a deal before the transfer window closed in October but the teenager stayed with his boyhood club for the first half of the 2020-21 season while work permits, personal terms and a medical were finalised.
      There was hope from the Italian side they could keep him on loan until the end of the campaign.
      But Solskjaer was keen to get the Ivorian over as soon as possible and continue his development with the Red Devils, lauding the youngster.
      Once the visa application is granted, Diallo can travel to Manchester and link up with his new team-mates.

      He has signed a contract until 2025 with the club having option of adding a further year.
      Boss Solskjaer is desperately excited about the acquisition and said: “As a club, we have followed Amad for a number of years and having watched him myself, I believe he is one of the most exciting young prospects in the game.
      “Manchester United has such a proud history of developing young players and everything is in place to enable Amad to reach his potential here.
      The winger – who is yet to decide on his shirt number – told the United website: “After waiting since the summer, it is finally a dream come true to complete my move to Manchester United.

      “I am hugely ambitious and there is so much that I want to achieve in the game; when I spoke to the manager I knew that I had joined the perfect club.
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      Signed ✍️Sealed 🤝Delivered 👋We are 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙙 to confirm @AmadDiallo79’s transfer to United has been finalised!#MUFC
      — Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 7, 2021

      “This is a really exciting squad with so many great players, I can promise that I will work hard every day to learn from them and give everything to develop my game.
      “The coaches have been fantastic since I signed, we have been in touch regularly and they have already given me a lot of great advice.
      “I have had time to prepare for this move, both physically and mentally, and I have worked really hard to be ready to make the step up to this amazing club.”
      Diallo has made five senior Atalanta appearances – however, just two of those came this season, totalling 35 minutes of action.
      He did score six minutes into his senior debut last term, though, in a thumping 7-1 win over Udinese.
      Solskjaer added: “It will take time for him to adapt but his speed, vision and fantastic dribbling ability will stand him in good stead to make the transition.
      “He is a player with all of the raw attributes that are needed to be an important player for Manchester United in the years to come.”
      ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford

      The teenage winger is awaiting a visa before he can travel to Manchester and join his new team-matesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Lionel Messi now 97th most valuable footballer in world, ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in 131st (but both trail Dan James)

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      LIONEL MESSI is now the world’s 97th most valuable footballer.
      Incredibly, Cristiano Ronaldo finds himself 131th with two of the greatest players of all time both trailing Manchester United bit-part player Daniel James.

      Daniel James is worth more than both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, according to the latest CIES Football Observatory studyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      That is according to the latest CIES Football Observatory, whose algorithm uses such factors as performance, age and contract length, as well as club and country represented to determine an individual’s worth.
      Their findings placed Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford top of the pile at a whopping £150million, edging out Erling Haaland and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
      Bruno Fernandes, Kylian Mbappe and Jadon Sancho are also worth in excess of £130m.
      But it is the positioning of Messi and Ronaldo that raised plenty of eyebrows.

      Argentinian maestro Messi is way down at 97th on the list.
      No fewer than TEN Red Devils players are ahead of him – Rashford, Fernandes, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek, James, Harry Maguire, Scott McTominay and Victor Lindelof.
      Welshman James is estimated to be valued at £55m, placing him 75th.
      In fact, United’s tally of ten players in the top 100 is more than any other club, with Barcelona second on nine.

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      But the reason for Messi’s lowly value of £48.8m is due to his contract at Barcelona expiring at the end of the season – meaning the 33-year-old’s value at the moment is almost entirely based on his quality alone.
      For Ronaldo, his £42.5m valuation is largely down to the fact he is 35 with little resale opportunity, despite the fact he continues to bang in the goals for fun.
      Ronaldo’s former side Real Madrid’s highest-ranked player is Federico Valverde 50th at £67m.
      Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr and Casemiro also edge into the top 100.
      But there is no place on that list for Neymar or Paul Pogba.
      Despite the pair’s latest transfers costing a world record £198m and British record £89m respectively, neither man gets in.

      Neymar should be in his prime aged 28 but is only worth between £27m and £36m – in part due to his injury record and contract expiring next year.
      For Pogba, 27, he is worth even less at £18m and £27m – presumably due to having 18 months left on his Old Trafford deal and the reality of underwhelming performances in recent years.
      Other surprises include Harry Kane (£97m) down in 19th, Virgil van Dijk (£75m) at 39th and 2020’s serial winner Robert Lewandowski (£65m) in 55th, two places ahead of Kevin De Bruyne (£64m).
      Nicolas Pepe (£53m) is 86th, some £52m short of Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka, while in-form Leicester winger Harvey Barnes completes the 100 at £48m.

      The list did not make pretty reading for Ronaldo (131st) or Messi (97th)Credit: Reuters

      Paul Pogba, left, did not make the list but Marcus Rashford topped the pile at a valuation of £150mCredit: Reuters

      The best players of 2020, according to quantitative analysis from Carteret

      Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he finds it boring playing in empty stadiums and misses when fans boo him More

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      in Boxing

      Cristiano Ronaldo praises Andy Ruiz Jr as CR7 says ‘body doesn’t matter’ after Mexican stunned Anthony Joshua

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has jumped to the defence of pudgy heavyweight boxer Andy Ruiz Jr as he claimed ‘the body doesn’t matter’.
      The Juventus star is still shredded at the age of 35 thanks to his gruelling training regime and fancy diet plan.

      Andy Ruiz Jr defied the odds to produce one of the biggest upsets in boxing historyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the Portuguese ace has insisted that the body of an athlete does not matter – and that preparation is the key to success.
      Ronaldo made the claim while speaking to two-time middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin for DAZN documentary ‘Parallel Worlds’.
      He said: “The fight, Ruiz against Joshua – Joshua is top, but the other one is good.
      “I talked with my friends and they said, ‘Ah, his body.’

      “I said, ‘Listen, the body doesn’t matter. It’s preparation’.”
      Mexican star Ruiz Jr backed up Ronaldo’s claim as he dethroned AJ in the summer of 2019 in New York.
      The 25/1 underdog beat the British star in seven rounds to claim the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles.
      Ruiz Jr vowed to lose some of his flab in time for the rematch with the 6ft 6in former Olympic champion.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo has hot and cold baths to stimulate muscle regeneration,Credit: instagram

      Cristiano Ronaldo was a skinny teenager before he completely transformed his bodyCredit: Instagram

      He vowed to cut out ‘three-patty hamburger with bacon and cheese’ and Snickers bars from his diet.
      The 31-year-old planned to gorge on mushroom omelettes and chicken salads in a bid to lose some weight.
      But he weighed in 15lbs heavier for the match as he tipped the scales at 20 stone.
      He lost the second bout – and blamed his defeat on ‘three months of partying’.
      Ruiz Jr – who has a record of 33-2 – has now dropped 20lbs as he plots his return to the ring.
      Ronaldo also revealed what was said when he bumped into Joshua in Dubai.
      He said: “We had the opportunity to speak last year in Dubai, I was with Joshua and we had conversation.
      “33 years old is that age where you start to feel down.

      Cristiano Ronaldo loves to show off his six pack and bulging bicepsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Juventus superstar is showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 35Credit: Instagram

      “I don’t wanna be in the sport, in football, where people say, ‘Cristiano was an unbelievable player and now he’s slow.’
      “I don’t want that.
      “You can take care a lot of your body, the body’s not a problem I don’t think.
      “It’s here [points to his head], your motivation, experience. I think this is the most tough.”
      Unlike Andy Ruiz Jr, fitness fanatic Ronaldo has stayed in shape throughout his entire career.
      Even after he tested positive for coronavirus, the former Manchester United star made sure to show off his muscles as he isolated.
      Ronaldo follows a Pilates-based routine that focuses on resistance work to strengthen his core and he regularly hits the gym.

      Andy Ruiz Jr beat Anthony Joshua to claim the heavyweight titlesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he finds it boring playing in empty stadiums and misses when fans boo him More

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      in Soccer

      AC Milan 1 Juventus 3: Federico Chiesa stars with double as Juve inflict first Serie A defeat on league leaders

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      JUVENTUS proved they will not roll over in their bid for a TENTH stright Serie A title as they inflicted leaders AC Milan’s first league defeat of the season.
      Andrea Pirlo’s side were 10 points behind their old rivals going into Wednesday night’s blockbuster after an inconsistent start to the campaign.

      Federico Chiesa was at the double as Juventus beat AC MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But a brace from Federico Chiesa and a Weston McKennie strike showed they are still the team to beat in Italian football.
      Chiesa fired home a superb opener into Gianluigi Donnarumma’s bottom right corner following a beautiful back-heel flick by Paulo Dybala.
      Makeshift midfielder Davide Calabria then equalised for Milan at the end of an eventful, end-to-end first half.
      Juventus, though, claimed the goal shouldn’t have been allowed as Adrien Rabiot was fouled by Hakan Calhanoglou beforehand.

      But that didn’t cost the Bianconeri as, with Cristiano Ronaldo quiet, Chiesa curled in his second after the break thanks to another assist by Dybala.
      Milan pushed hard to level terms for a second time only for substitute McKennie to sweep home from close range to seal the points.
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      The Old Lady inflicted their rivals first Serie A defeat of the seasonCredit: AFP or licensors

      Calabria with a beauty of a finish to equalise for Milan! 😍Juve wanted a foul in the build-up, but Milan’s makeshift midfielder made no mistake with the strike 👀 pic.twitter.com/oBWRqqIWub
      — Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) January 6, 2021

      The result consigned Milan to their first league defeat since March 8, 2020, a run of 27 games.

      The Rossoneri remain top of the table on 37 points, one ahead of second-placed Inter Milan, who also lost 2-1 to Sampdoria earlier on Wednesday.
      Juventus meanwhile rise to fourth place on 30 points, but have a game in hand over the three teams above them.

      Both clubs had been struggling amid an increasing number of positive Covid cases before kick-off.
      Milan’s Rade Krunic and Ante Rebic were both ruled out while the visitors were also missing Alex Sandro and Juan Cuadrado.
      The home side were also without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been sidelined with a muscle injury since a 3-2 win over Napoli in November.

      Chiesa does it AGAIN! 😱The 23-year-old came off with what looked like a knock immediately after the goal, but what a performance he’s put in! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/w1X9vEY9LL
      — Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) January 6, 2021

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      Barcelona joined by Juventus, Inter and AC Milan in Memphis Depay transfer chase as they battle for cut-price Lyon star

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      BARCELONA face competition from a host of Italian giants if they are to land Memphis Depay in January, according to reports.
      Juventus, Inter and AC Milan are all named as tracking the Lyon star, whose contract expires in June.

      Memphis Depay is a wanted man in the January transfer windowCredit: AP:Associated Press

      The Dutchman’s summer move to the Nou Camp collapsed amid Barcelona’s financial woe.
      But Depay’s imminent contract expiry could make him more affordable in January.
      That has led to interest from the Serie A trio, according to France Football, via Mundo Deportivo.
      Inter, who suffered a Scudetto blow on Wednesday by losing at Sampdoria, could seek a replacement for the outgoing Christian Eriksen.

      Juve and AC Milan face off tonight with the Old Lady back in seventh and seeking fresh impetus under Andrea Pirlo.
      The same cannot be said for Milan and a win at the San Siro would hand them a four-point lead atop Serie A.
      Over in LaLiga, Barcelona find themselves off the pace and have Depay and Manchester City defender Eric Garcia on their radar this month.
      However, Ronald Koeman will be aware that the club likely needs to shift high-earning reserves before buying.

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      He said earlier in the week: “Every coach always looks to the month of January and how the squad can be improved, just like I do.
      “I have made a list of possible injuries and players that would be interesting to bring in. It depends on the club.
      “If it’s not possible, I can depend on the players I have already.”
      Lyon narrowly hold first place in Ligue 1 ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Lens and will be more than happy to keep Depay for longer.
      Club chief Jean-Michel Aulas recently tweeted his club captain to say: “You feel at home here and you are also an exceptional man who sets an example, shows ambition.
      “You can stay as long as you want!”

      What will happen in the future, we will see… I am here now, lots of clubs could be interested.
      Memphis Depay

      The forward, 26, has eight goals and four assists in 2020-21 and insisted last month that he is focused on Lyon.
      Depay stated: “To be honest, we have a great team here and I am focused here because I do not know what will happen next year.
      “All that I know, is that I am a Lyon player and captain. I am here to win matches, to be important for the team.
      “I do not have in my head what my future will be. I am 100 per cent focused here.
      “What will happen in the future, we will see… I don’t have anything to say on that. I am here now, lots of clubs could be interested.”

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      Italy legend Cassano claims Dybala ‘s***s himself’ under pressure and does not deserve £9m Juventus contract

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      ANTONIO CASSANO has blasted reported Manchester United target Paulo Dybala and claims he does NOT deserve a new Juventus contract.
      Former Italy star Cassano claims the Argentina forward ’s***s himself’ under pressure.

      Juventus star Paulo Dybala has been criticised by Italy icon Antonio CassanoCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      And the Serie A champions should not cave to Dybala’s demands of a fresh deal worth £9million per year after his poor performances this season.
      Retired 38-year-old Cassano, famous for his own crazy shenanigans throughout a wild playing career, said: “All his coaches at Juventus did not consider him necessary, so I wonder if he is a champion or a great player.
      “For me he is not a champion, he does not make the difference.
      “He has scored good goals, like I saw Antonio Di Natale and Lorenzo Insigne do.

      “But if you want to take Juventus’ No10 shirt, you have to be at a higher level.
      “I have the feeling that, when they put pressure on him, he s***s himself. And then he asks for £9m per season? Oh, please.”
      Dybala, 27, has scored just twice in the league this term.
      And he has so far struggled to command a regular starting role under new boss Andrea Pirlo.

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      Cassano says Dybala struggles under pressure and doesn’t deserve a new dealCredit: EPA

      Dybala’s current Juventus contract expires in 2022.
      But despite his poor form, the Turin outfit are reportedly keen to keep him for many years.
      It’s reckoned the ex-Palermo ace wants £9m a season to remain at Juventus.
      And the saga has since seen Dybala linked with a stunning move to Manchester United.
      Paul Pogba has been tipped to move in the opposite direction.
      And additional reports claim Juventus are reluctantly prepared to sell Dybala this summer if he has not accepted a contract offer by then.
      New Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino is also said to be interested.

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      in Soccer

      Ripped Cristiano Ronaldo praises Andy Ruiz Jr as CR7 says ‘body doesn’t matter’ after Mexican stunned Anthony Joshua

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO has jumped to the defence of pudgy heavyweight boxer Andy Ruiz Jr as he claimed ‘the body doesn’t matter’.
      The Juventus star is still shredded at the age of 35 thanks to his gruelling training regime and fancy diet plan.

      Andy Ruiz Jr defied the odds to produce one of the biggest upsets in boxing historyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      But the Portuguese ace has insisted that the body of an athlete does not matter – and that preparation is the key to success.
      Ronaldo made the claim while speaking to two-time middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin for DAZN documentary ‘Parallel Worlds’.
      He said: “The fight, Ruiz against Joshua – Joshua is top, but the other one is good.
      “I talked with my friends and they said, ‘Ah, his body.’

      “I said, ‘Listen, the body doesn’t matter. It’s preparation’.”
      Mexican star Ruiz Jr backed up Ronaldo’s claim as he dethroned AJ in the summer of 2019 in New York.
      The 25/1 underdog beat the British star in seven rounds to claim the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight titles.
      Ruiz Jr vowed to lose some of his flab in time for the rematch with the 6ft 6in former Olympic champion.

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      Cristiano Ronaldo has hot and cold baths to stimulate muscle regeneration,Credit: instagram

      Cristiano Ronaldo was a skinny teenager before he completely transformed his bodyCredit: Instagram

      He vowed to cut out ‘three-patty hamburger with bacon and cheese’ and Snickers bars from his diet.
      The 31-year-old planned to gorge on mushroom omelettes and chicken salads in a bid to lose some weight.
      But he weighed in 15lbs heavier for the match as he tipped the scales at 20 stone.
      He lost the second bout – and blamed his defeat on ‘three months of partying’.
      Ruiz Jr – who has a record of 33-2 – has now dropped 20lbs as he plots his return to the ring.
      Ronaldo also revealed what was said when he bumped into Joshua in Dubai.
      He said: “We had the opportunity to speak last year in Dubai, I was with Joshua and we had conversation.
      “33 years old is that age where you start to feel down.

      Cristiano Ronaldo loves to show off his six pack and bulging bicepsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Juventus superstar is showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 35Credit: Instagram

      “I don’t wanna be in the sport, in football, where people say, ‘Cristiano was an unbelievable player and now he’s slow.’
      “I don’t want that.
      “You can take care a lot of your body, the body’s not a problem I don’t think.
      “It’s here [points to his head], your motivation, experience. I think this is the most tough.”
      Unlike Andy Ruiz Jr, fitness fanatic Ronaldo has stayed in shape throughout his entire career.
      Even after he tested positive for coronavirus, the former Manchester United star made sure to show off his muscles as he isolated.
      Ronaldo follows a Pilates-based routine that focuses on resistance work to strengthen his core and he regularly hits the gym.

      Andy Ruiz Jr beat Anthony Joshua to claim the heavyweight titlesCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Cristiano Ronaldo reveals he finds it boring playing in empty stadiums and misses when fans boo him More

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      in Soccer

      AC Milan vs Juventus at risk of being postponed as authorities threaten to BLOCK Pirlo’s Covid-hit side from travelling

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      AC MILAN’S crunch clash against rivals Juventus could be postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak.
      Authorities in Italy have warned that Andrea Pirlo’s side could be blocked from travelling to tonight’s match.

      Juan Cuadrado has tested positive for coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Juventus were forced to delay their journey to Milan after Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro tested positive.
      The club are now awaiting further results amid fears of an outbreak within Pirlo’s squad.
      Meanwhile, AC Milan have announced that Ante Rebic and Rade Krunic have tested positive.
      But the rest of the squad have provided negative results ahead of the Serie A showdown.

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      Roberto Testi, medical chief at the ASL in Turin, insisted authorities could have to step in to stop the match going ahead.
      As cited by Gazzetta dello Sport, he said: “The company immediately warned of the two [positive tests], but at the moment, since all the others are negative, we cannot speak of an outbreak.
      “If there were new cases and an uncontrolled outbreak was confirmed in the team, then the ASL, for the safety of the players themselves, would be forced to intervene by blocking the away match.”

      Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo tested positive for Covid-19 in October while on international duty.

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      Juventus star Alex Sandro has contracted coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Team-mates Paulo Dybala and Weston McKennie have also had the virus and since recovered.
      Tonight’s highly-anticipated meeting between Milan and Juventus has been deemed a title decider.
      Stefano Pioli’s Milan side are sitting at the top of the pile with 11 wins from 15 matches.
      Meanwhile, Juventus are slumped in fifth place with ten points less than the league leaders.
      Matteo Marnati, a councillor in Turin, has insisted the game WILL go ahead.
      He said: “Milan-Juventus will be played.
      “I have just heard the general manager of the ASL of Turin and he replied that it was not no decision has been made.
      “Our interest is that the sports authorities manage the issue.

      Cristiano Ronaldo’s side had hoped to revive their title hopes with a win over their rivalsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      “There is no emergency that justifies an intervention by the ASL of Turin.
      “I can assure the fans that the competition will take place.
      “I believe that Testi has been misunderstood.”

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      Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo trains with boxer Gennady Golovkin More