Saudi Arabia s sports minister says the government will definitely support any private sector bids for Manchester United and Liverpool.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the owners of Liverpool, announced earlier this month it would welcome new investment at the club, while the Glazer family said they will explore a sale of United.

With fellow Premier League club Newcastle United taken over by Saudi owners in October 2021, there has been talk that Liverpool and United could also attract interest from the region.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, the kingdom s sports minister, believes the government would be extremely interested in the possibility of taking over two of the biggest clubs in Europe.

He told BBC Sport: From the private sector, I can t speak on …

The Mail Online understands that Jonny Evans is ready to snub Arsenal as he attempts to secure a deadline day move to Manchester City.

The Northern Ireland international has been linked with a move to the Citizens for some weeks though the club failed in an initial £18m move while Leicester City also saw a £23m bid rebuffed by the Baggies earlier this week.

Evans moved to West Brom form Manchester United in the summer of 2015 and still lives in the North West so would see a switch to the Premier League title favourites as ideal, plus it would also give him the opportunity to once again play in the Champions League.

The twenty-nine year old was on the books of United when they won Europe’s top prize in 2008 though he spent that season on loan at Sunderland…

Pele s cancer has advanced and the Brazil great will spend Christmas in hospital.

The three-time World Cup winner has spent the past three weeks in the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in Sao Paulo.

Pele has had colon cancer since 2021 and had a tumour removed in September of that year.

He has been undergoing regular treatment and a report from the hospital on Wednesday stated that he needs additional care related to renal and cardiac dysfunctions.

The 82-year-old will be in hospital for Christmas, his daughter Kely Nascimento revealed on social media.

In an Instagram post, she wrote: Our Christmas at home has been suspended.

We decided with the doctors that, for various reasons, it would be better for us to stay here with all the care …

Best odds: 8/13

Bookmaker:

Norwich City are continuing their fight for survival on Friday evening when they re scheduled to open the 28th round of the Premier League season together with Leicester City, who arrive to Carrow Road and will probably make it very difficult.

Norwich City

Sitting rock bottom of the league table with just 18 points to their name, seven less than Aston Villa currently the lowest-placed team outside the relegation zone, things aren t looking good for the Canaries.

Winning the Championship title last season and getting promoted in style was certainly a superb achievement. They started building on that with some exciting performances at the start of their new life in the top flight, especially when they beat defending champions Ma…

Market: Lens draw no bet

Odds: 8/11 @

Hoping to make up some ground in the top-four chase on Friday night, Lens will travel to the Stade de la Mosson when they meet Montpellier.

Starting with the hosts, while Montpellier might have opened the 2023/24 campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine top-half charge, Michel Der Zakarian’s side are enduring another Ligue 1 struggle. Last seen putting in another worrying performance as they slumped to a routine 2-0 defeat at the hands of Monaco, La Paillade are looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Opening up this weekend’s fixtures holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the relegation play-off spot, Montpellier should be bracing themselves for another stern examination here.…

Premier League heavyweights Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United are reportedly preparing to target Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, who may leave the Serie A leaders at the end of the season.

Osimhen, 24, became Napoli s club-record signing when he arrived at the club for €70million in July 2020, and he has met all expectations.

After scoring 14 goals in 27 league appearances last season, Osimhen has raised the bar, finding the back of the net 12 times with four assists during his 14 league fixtures in 2022-23.

With Napoli nine points clear at the Serie A summit and seeking their first title since the 1989-90 season, a January sale is off the table, but talks are expected to heat up at the end of the campaign.

TOP STORY – NAPOLI SLAP €150M…

Juventus have added Arkadiusz Milik to their attacking options after bringing the former Napoli striker back to Serie A from Marseille.

The 28-year-old Milik spent 18 months in France and returns to bolster Massimiliano Allegri s squad on an initial season-long loan.

It was revealed in a club statement on Friday that Juventus will pay a maximum of €1.7million to Marseille for the loan deal, with €0.8m of that hinging on the success of Milik s stay.

Juventus will also have an option to make the deal for the 28-year-old permanent for €7m, plus €2m in performance-related add-ons.

The frontline just got better with joining

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN)

Poland international Milik will be familiar to Juventus supporters from his tim…

Chelsea have confirmed skipper Reece James sustained a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.

The England right-back was one of three players who went off injured for the visitors during the Premier League contest at Goodison Park, along with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and left-back Marc Cucurella.

A statement on Chelsea’s official website on Tuesday said: “Captain Reece James has undergone medical assessment following Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Everton.

An injury update on Chelsea captain Reece James.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC)

“The defender was withdrawn during the first half at Goodison Park and scan results have confirmed a hamstring injury. Reece will now begin his rehabilitation programme at Cobham.”

Speaking af…

It made sense for Newcastle United to first focus on their defence as they approached the transfer market armed with the millions of Saudi Arabia s Public Investment Fund.

The Magpies had shipped 80 Premier League goals in 2021 – a competition record for a calendar year – and entered the new year in the relegation zone.

Three defenders arrived in Newcastle s first transfer window under new ownership, with loan star Matt Targett signing again at the end of the season on a permanent deal.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope followed as Eddie Howe prepared for his first full season in charge, and so too did highly rated centre-back Sven Botman.

Over the past two windows, in Pope, Kieran Trippier, Botman, Dan Burn and Targett, the Magpies have signed an entire new back…

In a summer transfer window that saw secure a shock move to PSG, and make a stunning return to Old Trafford, we certainly had one of the most memorable markets of all time.

With English clubs breaking the bank, while the likes of Barcelona and Inter Milan battle public financial problems, sides from across the continent could turn their eye to the free agents list.

On a list that includes a former winner and a player who was once the most expensive defender in British transfer history, we have taken a look at the all-star players who are still seeking a new adventure.

Serge Aurier

While Tottenham might be enjoying an immediate boost since bringing in new boss Nuno Espírito Santo, one man who will be playing no further part in North London is right-back Serg…