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Two minutes from time it looked as though Manchester United had sealed a smash-and-grab victory against Arsenal.

Alejandro Garnacho raced clear of the Gunners backline before expertly guiding the ball past Aaron Ramsdale.

United fans were delirious but moments later it was ruled out for offside. That happened to be the turning point that inspired the north Londoners to victory. Two late, late goals in injury time helped seal a 3-1 win.

Declan Rice took the ball down at the back post from Bukayo Saka's corner, before smashing it home via a deflection.

The £105m signing wheeled away in celebration before Gabriel Jesus ramped the party up with another goal in the dying embers of the game on the counter attack.

For Erik ten Hag's side, it was a gut-wrenching result, one that echoed their clash at the Emirates last term when Eddie Nketiah was there at the death with a last-gasp winner.

Although that offside goal will have felt like a real turning point, Lisandro Martinez's substitution was also one. He went off on 67 minutes to be replaced by Harry Maguire and then with six minutes of normal time left, onto the field came Jonny Evans, only for his second debut in United colours to play out disastrously.

Why have Man United signed Jonny Evans?

The Northern Irishman played for the Red Devils between 2004 and 2015, but returned this summer.

He trained with the club during pre-season in a bid to build his fitness up ahead of a move elsewhere.

Evans was recently relegated with Leicester City and left after his contract at the King Power expired.

Clearly impressed with his attitude and application in training, the 6 foot 2 centre-back received a new one-year deal with the club on transfer deadline day. Despite injuries at the back, they may well already be ruing that decision, though.

How did Jonny Evans play against Arsenal?

The statistics may not paint Evans in too bad a light after his cameo against the Gunners, however, his performance left plenty to be desired.

The 35-year-old looked completely out of his depth and as Manchester Evening News reporter Samuel Luckhurst put it, he "was all over the place" late on.

19 minutes played

9 touches

75% pass success rate

0 interceptions

1 tackle

Stats via Sofascore.

Evans set the tone just moments after coming on. Jesus picked up the ball in the right channel and spun past the veteran defender as though he wasn't even there.

It turned into a nightmare cameo for the centre-back who was left sprawling on the floor for Rice's winner.

Saka's ball went deep towards the back post but Evans was all too lightweight as he was tossed aside by Gabriel. Such an event led to the Arsenal summer signing finding space to fire in the shot that coincidentally came off the defender and then beat Andre Onana at his near post.

It was unsurprising given his limited time on the pitch that the former West Brom man had fewer touches (nine) than the goalkeeper (56), but he was dribbled past once and failed to make a single interception.

It was damning of United that they even had to rely on Evans towards the end. We are just a matter of weeks into the season but injuries are wreaking havoc with the side. Should they have to start the Northern Ireland international at any stage this season, it will be a worry for many a supporter at Old Trafford on this evidence.

It feels harsh to single a player out after just 19 minutes of football but it was a display that was indicative of the inconsistencies plaguing the club. It's back to the drawing board for Ten Hag and co after the international break.

Samiullah Shenwari is back after being rested for the ODIs against Ireland, while Hamid Hassan, who last played international cricket in July 2016, makes a comeback to the T20I squad

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jan-2018

Peter Della Penna

Mohammad Shahzad is back in Afghanistan’s ODI and T20I squads for their series against Zimbabwe in the UAE in February. The wicketkeeper-batsman’s retrospective one-year doping ban ends on January 17.The allrounder Samiullah Shenwari is also back in both squads, having been rested during Afghanistan’s ODI series against Ireland in December. Among the fast bowlers, Hamid Hassan, who last played an international match in July 2016, has made a comeback to the T20I squad, while Dawlat Zadran is part of the ODI squad but has missed out on T20I selection.The series against Zimbabwe will be the newly appointed head coach Phil Simmons’ first in charge of Afghanistan.ODI squad: Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Javed Ahmadi, Ihsanullah Janat, Najibullah Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Samiullah Shenwari, Nasir Jamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Zadran, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Shapoor Zadran. Reserves: Noor Ali Zadran, Karim Janat, Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Afsar Zazai.T20I squad: Asghar Stanikzai (capt), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Usman Ghani, Karim Sadiq, Najibullah Zadran, Shafiqullah, Samiullah Shenwari, Aftab Alam, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Zadran, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran.

An update has emerged on Aston Villa and their plans to replace Tyrone Mings before the end of the summer transfer window…

What's the latest Aston Villa transfer news?

According to FootballTransfers, Monchi is now eyeing a move to sign Manchester United central defender Harry Maguire for Unai Emery.

The report claims that the club have made enquiries over a possible move for the England international after Mings suffered a serious knee injury during the 5-1 defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

It states that there are fears that the Villans defender has torn his ACL and that they will go back into the market for another centre-back if the ex-Bournemouth man is out until next year.

West Ham United have already agreed a £30m deal with the Red Devils for the Villa target but they are yet to agree on personal terms with the player, which could open the door for Emery and Monchi to swoop.

How good is Harry Maguire?

The £190k-per-week ace has lost his starting spot at Old Trafford but his performances in the Premier League over the years suggest that he would still be a dream signing for the Villans to replace Mings.

Maguire only started eight top-flight matches last season and averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.95 across his 16 appearances in total.

The English titan, who was once described as a "colossus" by talkSPORT's Simon Jordan, started 28 league games for United during the 2021/22 campaign and averaged an impressive Sofascore rating of 6.91 as he won 66% of his individual duels and made 2.2 tackles and interceptions combined per outing.

He also averaged an eye-catching Sofascore rating of 7.13 over 33 Premier League starts for the club throughout the 2020/21 season, in which the towering gem won 66% of his battles and made 2.7 tackles and interceptions per match.

For context, that rating would have placed him top of the Villa squad last term as Douglas Luiz led the club with a score of 7.10 from central midfield.

Mings, meanwhile, has averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.91 across each of the last two full top-flight campaigns and won 62% of his physical contests across both seasons. He has been a consistent performer and ended last season as the team's highest-rated defender.

These statistics suggest that there is not much to separate Maguire and Mings when it comes to their average performance level and ability to dominate opposition attackers in their respective duels, which is one reason why the United outcast could be a dream replacement for the injured star.

The former Leicester City man could also be an upgrade on his England teammate when it comes to playing the ball out from the back. Maguire has averaged 4.05 progressive carries and passes combined per 90 over the last 365 days in the Men's Big Five League and European competitions, whilst the Villa enforcer has averaged 3.67.

This suggests that the £30m-rated brute could provide more drive in possession to push the team up the pitch and to find his teammates in better positions between the lines, which could help the side to break the opposition down more frequently.

حقق فريق برشلونة فوزًا ضد خصمه فريق ألميريا، مساء يوم الخميس، في الجولة 36 من الدوري الإسباني بهدفين دون رد.

بينما تغلب فريق ريال مدريد على نظيره ديبورتيفو ألافيس بخمسة أهداف دون مقابل مساء الثلاثاء، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” بالجولة نفسها من الليجا.

في حين تعرض جيرونا للخسارة في الجولة نفسها أمام فياريال، بهدف دون رد. ترتيب الدوري الإسباني

1. ريال مدريد، 93 نقطة.

2. برشلونة، 79 نقطة.

3. جيرونا، 75 نقطة.

4. أتلتيكو مدريد، 73 نقطة.

5. أتلتيك بيلباو، 62 نقطة.

6. ريال سوسيداد، 57 نقطة.

7. ريال بيتيس، 56 نقطة.

8. فياريال، 51 نقطة.

9. فالنسيا، 48 نقطة.

10. خيتافي، 43 نقطة.

11. ألافيس، 42 نقطة.

12. إشبيلية، 41 نقطة.

13. أوساسونا، 41 نقطة.

14. لاس بالماس، 38 نقطة.

15. رايو فاييكانو، 38 نقطة.

16. سيلتا فيجو، 37 نقطة.

17. مايوركا، 36 نقطة.

18. قادش، 32 نقطة.

19. غرناطة، 21 نقطة.

20. ألميريا، 17 نقطة.

ويمكنكم متابعة ترتيب الدوري الإسباني، موسم 2023/24، محدث بشكل مستمر من هنا.

Aston Villa are reportedly in the race to sign Santos sensation Marcos Leonardo, as Unai Emery weighs up his options ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

The Villans have seen a total reshuffle on their path to progression since the Spaniard took charge last winter, and after a successful summer window so far, the Midlands side could still strengthen their squad further.

Could Aston Villa sign Marcos Leonardo?

As reported by journalist Gianluca Di Marzio earlier this week, Villa have emerged as one of the clubs eyeing a move for in-demand striker, Leonardo.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

The Brazilian is said to be of interest to a host of clubs in Europe, with the Villans, Nottingham Forest and Roma named by Di Marzio.

The Italian giants are said to have priority over the 20-year-old, however the journalist has since revealed that the Serie A side have stalled their pursuit due to payment methods.

Villa could still be in the mix to swoop for the Santos forward, who is valued at around €21m (£18m) by Football Transfers.

How good is Marcos Leonardo?

Lauded as a “special talent” by South American football expert Nathan Joyes, the 20-year-old has been tipped to make a move to Europe this summer after an explosive season in Brazil.

In the 2023 Brazilian Serie A, the striker has netted six goals and registered two assists in 12 appearances for Santos, showcasing his prolific nature in front of goal.

The youngster has worked his way through the ranks at Santos, graduating to the senior team back in 2020 from the U19 set-up.

While his form for his club has been impressive, the Itapetinga-born gem has excelled on the U20 world stage beside his domestic success this year, shining at the U20 World Cup for his country.

In five appearances in the tournament, the forward scored five goals and registered a single assist to cement himself as one of his country’s most promising talents, via Sofascore.

For Villa, capturing the young gem could give Emery an added outlet in the goal scoring department, and a rising star to nurture at Villa Park with a player that has experience playing in a senior league at such an early stage of his career.

It wouldn’t be the first time that the Villans have opted to sign a young striker from outside of the Premier League, with the potential move having the feel of the club’s capture of Christian Benteke.

Signed in 2012 from Genk, 21-year-old Benteke was recruited by Paul Lambert in a move that left the manager having to defend his decision to sign the unknown young talent.

The Midlands side quickly became accustomed to the Belgian’s talents, after he netted 19 goals in his debut season in the Premier League, where he went on to score 42 goals in 89 league appearances in claret and blue.

A clinical and crucial element to Villa’s side at the time, the £7m move turned out to be a bargain for the youngster, who called it quits on his career in England with 280 Premier League appearances under his belt for various clubs.

Emery could follow the past success of the Villans in recruiting the young forward, in the hope that Leonardo could have a similar effect on his side that Benteke fulfilled in years prior to his reign.

Liverpool are considering a move for out-of-favour Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips this summer, according to reports. The Reds will be looking to cover the potential departures of club captain Jordan Henderson, and Fabinho.

Is Kalvin Phillips joining Liverpool?

As of right now, any potential Liverpool move is in the earliest of stages, with Fabinho and Henderson not even officially out the door as of yet. However, Phillips joins Ryan Gravenberch and Cheik Doucoure among the options discussed by those at Anfield, according to Dominic King of The Daily Mail.

Given that the price-tag set on Doucoure is reportedly as much as £70m, Liverpool could set their focus on Phillips or Gravenberch this summer, with the Reds "considering" a move according to King.

"Liverpool considering options for reinforcements including Cheick Doucoure, Ryan Gravenberch and Kalvin Phillips," the reporter said on Twitter on Wednesday evening.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool are indeed looking to seal Henderson's departure to Al-Ettifaq, whilst also working on the departure of Fabinho to Al-Ittihad for a reported £40m fee.

Should the duo depart as expected, Jurgen Klopp's side will be left short in the middle of the park, despite securing the signatures of both Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer.

With Romeo Lavia also linked with a move to Anfield from Southampton in the current window, it will certainly be interesting to see the route that Liverpool go down when it comes to replacing their departing stars.

Should Liverpool sign Kalvin Phillips?

In truth, Phillips has struggled ever since swapping Leeds United for Manchester City in a deal worth around £50m last summer. The England international was hit with an injury blow at the start of his time at The Etihad, and things haven't improved from there.

Making just 21 appearances in all competitions last season, as City won the treble, Phillips has every right to believe that maybe his career is better off elsewhere.

And that's where Liverpool could come in. The Reds will be short on midfielders – especially those that are experienced – come the start of the forthcoming Premier League campaign, which makes Phillips an ideal option.

It remains to be seen just how much City will ask for the out-of-favour midfielder, but they may at least want to recoup close to the inital £50m fee that they spent just one year ago.

If Klopp and co pursue a move this summer, it's certainly a deal that could set them up for a season back among the title contenders. The midfielder has attracted plenty of praise in the past, with former England boss Fabio Capello calling him "phenomenal" and current gaffer Gareth Southgate saying back in 2021, via TeamTalk: “He’s been excellent.

“The way he has taken to international football, it hasn’t surprised us because what we’d seen with Leeds, even in the Championship, we felt could convert into our team. We felt he could play an important role with us.

"To play in the enormity of the matches he did in the summer and play as well as he did is massive credit to him.

“He’s a very, very good player and he’s been a really important part of this – we’re 16 games unbeaten [in regulation time] now and he’s been a huge part of that.”

Everton are looking at their options in the transfer market to bolster their attacking threat ahead of next season and now a new update from a reliable source has suggested that the club may have reignited their interest in a former transfer target.

What's the latest on Everton's interest in Arnaut Danjuma?

According to former Everton communications director and transfer insider Alan Myers, Everton are interested in signing Villarreal winger Arnaut Danjuma this summer.

Myers revealed on Twitter:

"All options on the table with regards Anthony Elanga, Man Utd’s preference is a permanent deal or at least a loan with obligation. Everton have a number of targets including Gnonto and Danjuma in the forward positions."

It remains to be seen how much the former AFC Bournemouth star would command, though FootballTransfers currently value him in the region of £18m, which is likely a realistic fee for a club of Everton's calibre.

Will Everton sign Arnaut Danjuma?

Every single Toffees supporter will be familiar with the controversial Danjuma transfer saga that unfolded at Goodison Park in January, which might actually make the player an unpopular option for the Toffees despite their desperate need for attacking reinforcements.

It was reported by Sky Sports that Danjuma was set to join the Merseyside outfit in the winter transfer window, but just days later after the sacking of Frank Lampard, Danjuma was approached by Tottenham Hotspur to join them on a six-month loan instead and within days a deal was done for the Villarreal forward to join the north London club instead.

Now it is looking like the club's hierarchy remain interested in snapping up Danjuma's services and despite his initial snub at the turn of the year, he could still be a real asset to Sean Dyche next season.

The 26-year-old whiz failed to make his presence known in a disjointed Spurs squad during his time in the Premier League last season – tallying up just nine appearances, one start and averaging 19 minutes per game due to strong competition from the likes of Son Heung-min, Richarlison and Harry Kane across his favoured positions.

However, there is no doubt that Danjuma has the quality and experience to become an influential player for Everton next season as he has proven during his time in Spain that he is a force to be reckoned with in front of goal when consistently deployed.

The Netherlands international has scored 22 goals and registered four assists over 51 appearances for Villarreal, with a goal contribution every 126 minutes played, an output that would be incredibly valuable to Everton next season as they attempt to compete much more comfortably in the top-flight.

Not only that, Danjuma has a wealth of experience not only playing on the left flank but also in the centre-forward position with 17 goals scored from the striker role over 34 appearances, another attribute that would assist Dyche in solving some of the squad's biggest pain-points.

The £34k-per-week forward has earned high praise over his career so far, with former Premier League goal machine Kevin Phillips full of compliments for Danjuma during an interview with Football Insider earlier this year:

"On his day he is a nightmare for defenders. He can create and score goals. He can hurt any defence with his pace and directness.

"He’s shown that countless times. Players like him are a rarity in this day and age."

With that being said, it would be a no-brainer for Everton to secure a deal for Danjuma this summer, as his finishing skills and diversity in positioning could make him a huge asset to Dyche next season.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsShoaib Malik and Mohammad Hafeez put on a century stand to set up victory•AFP

A commanding performance to secure a vice-like grip on eighth place doesn’t sound like an especially formidable achievement, but it was a much-needed boost off the back of a troubling few months for Pakistan cricket. A 113-run partnership between veterans Shoaib Malik – who reached his ninth ODI century with the six to seal victory – and Mohammad Hafeez enabled Pakistan to canter to a six-wicket win and clinch the three-match series 2-1.Pakistan’s chase of 234 got off to an eventful start, with a first-ball wicket, a nasty collision between Ahmed Shehzad and Babar Azam, a dropped catch at mid-on and a brilliant grab by wicketkeeper Shai Hope all crammed into a lively first six overs. Babar edged Shannon Gabriel into his stumps less than three overs later, and the upshot from a frenetic opening Powerplay was Pakistan had lost three wickets for 45 and, for the umpteenth time, were looking wobbly.The one positive Pakistan could glean from the situation was that Hafeez and Malik were at the crease together, and with 430 ODIs between them, they represented vast experience, if nothing else. It showed, too, with the pair ensuring they made survival their main priority for the next hour or so amid some testing spin bowling by Devendra Bishoo and Ashley Nurse, and they slowly began to turn the game in Pakistan’s favour.By the time Hafeez holed out to deep square leg, the visitors needed less than 100 to win. Skipper Sarfraz Ahmed then joined Malik at the crease, the pair picking off the poor deliveries with consummate ease in a stroll towards their target. Towards the end, Malik was playing with such ease that he gave himself the chance of a century, which he completed in style with a straight six off Jason Holder. It might not always have been smooth sailing, but in the end, it was unquestionably clinical.West Indies will rue a failure to take proper advantage of the review system for the second game running. When Hafeez was on 39, Nurse, arguably the most consistent performer for his side all series, spun one sharply back into him, the ball striking the top of his front pad. Hawk-Eye showed it would have been given out on review, but Holder decided against going to the third umpire. It was one among a series of errors West Indies committed in the field – dropped catches playing a starring role once again – and by the time Hafeez was finally dismissed, the telling blows had long since been struck.West Indies had managed to scrap to 233 despite being squeezed for runs during much of the first half of their innings. Having slipped to 68 for 3 with a run rate well under four, Hope and Jason Mohammed combined for a 101-run partnership – the first three-figure partnership for West Indies this year – to set their team on course for what was at least a competitive total.The heart of West Indies’ innings was stifled by a sustained spell of pressure from Pakistan’s spinners, a spell that, in hindsight proved decisive. Imad Wasim was the pick of the bowlers, bolstering his credentials as a genuine ODI allrounder following on from his impressive batting performance in the previous match. He was the major reason for West Indies’ sluggishness during the middle overs, consistently bowling on a good line and getting the ball to spin away from the right-handers. Hafeez provided him able support, and their combined bowling figures of 17-1-45-1 aptly told the story of the middle overs.But even when their run rate slipped to as low as 3.34 runs per over, West Indies had one metric in their favour: seven wickets in hand. Inch by inch, Mohammed and Hope began to climb their way back into the contest, Mohammed launching Hasan Ali for sixes in consecutive overs and setting his team up for the final push.However, just as the hosts looked like they were eyeing 250, Mohammad Amir and Junaid Khan took over from Shadab Khan, who had an indifferent day with the ball – despite picking up the wickets of Hope and Jonathan Carter – conceding 57 runs in his eight overs. The quality of Pakistan’s quicks shone through with a splendid bowling performance during the death overs, the two left-armers regularly landing yorkers with surgical precision that the batsmen struggled to get underneath. Only 29 runs came off the last five overs as the momentum West Indies had threatened to build up was punctured severely. Runs in short supply was a familiar theme for the hosts all evening, culminating in a result they – and their fans – have become all too familiar with of late.

The pair helped India to a dominant 382, before England’s response petered out for 152

The Report by Nikhil Kalro in Mumbai06-Feb-2017
ScorecardFile photo – Shubman Gill’s second consecutive century included 23 fours and a six•PTI

The India Under-19s started the series with a sub-par batting performance at the Wankhede Stadium. As the series has progressed though, their batting has consistently improved. On Monday morning, a few hours after a sensational comeback win by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51, India’s batsmen put on a show there was no coming back from for the England Under-19s. Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw struck belligerent tons to lift India to 382 for 9, their second-highest total at this level, sealing a 231-run win in the fourth ODI to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.Despite plenty of grass on the surface, run-scoring didn’t prove to be difficult even with an early start. Gill and Himanshu Rana got stuck into their work from the outset, keeping out a few good deliveries and putting away plenty of bad ones. Lulled in by the colour of the pitch, England’s seamers bowled far too short. The India openers were unforgiving, using wayward bowling to race to another brisk fifty-run stand, off 48 balls.Rana was dismissed by left-arm spinner Liam Patterson-White in the 16th over, for 33 off 50 balls. His innings may seem like a dawdle but in the big picture, he had done his job, weathering the toughest phase of the day. Gill and Shaw then combined to lay waste to an increasingly tiring attack. Gill was strong on the pull, hammering plenty of cross-bat strokes through midwicket and square leg. There was even a short-arm slap between mid-on and midwicket.Gill got to his fifty off 48 balls, and Shaw in 36 deliveries. Subsequently, Gill took the onus of run-scoring and Shaw played anchor. Gill needed just 33 balls to move from fifty to hundred while Shaw used 45; both batsmen reached their hundreds off 81 deliveries. None of England’s boundary-stalling strategies worked; the pitch was evenly paced and the bowling too inconsistent. Shaw got to his hundred with a whip through midwicket for one, and celebrated by tapping the back of his jersey with his bat.At the start of the 41st over, Gill danced down and smashed an offbreak from Max Holden over long-on for six. He was dropped at cover off the next ball, skewing a drive that was just out of reach of the backtracking fielder. In the same over, India reached 300. Gill was finally dismissed, miscuing a lofted drive to cover, for 160 off 120 balls, an innings that featured 23 fours and a six. Shaw holed out three balls later: a juggled catch by Louis Shaw at long-on, for an 89-ball 105.England’s slight opening was quickly shut by brisk cameos from India’s middle order. Abhishek Sharma struck two big sixes off Delray Rawlins over midwicket in his 10-ball 24, before he was caught at short fine leg attempting another. India plundered 132 runs in the last 15 overs.In reply, England were never really in the contest. Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi removed England’s top four within nine overs. Harry Brook was adjudged lbw in the second over, to his disbelief. Two balls later, George Bartlett wafted at a wide delivery and was caught behind. Mavi got through Tom Banton’s defense in the next over, uprooting the middle stump. Rawlins, England’s best batsman of the series, mis-timed a pull and was caught at mid-off. By then, England slumped to 41 for 4.With the game all but gone, Ollie Pope used the opportunity to strike a fluent 59. He was excellent at using width to cut through point, both in front of and behind the fielder. Holden, who was demoted to No. 6, struggled to score against the spinners. He was bowled, playing around a legbreak from Rahul Chahar, for 17. Will Jacks hit an enterprising 44 off 49 balls, including a massive six over midwicket that landed in the second tier. Nagarkoti finished with 4 for 31, while fast bowler Vivekanand Tiwari returned 3 for 20.

Son Heung-min has thrown shade at the Saudi Pro League after he was asked about potentially leaving Tottenham Hotspur and following the likes of Crisitiano Ronaldo to the country.

What's the latest on Son Heung-min?

With his future currently up in the air, there's been a lot of talk surrounding what's next for Son, with many believing his time at Spurs could be drawing to a close soon.

After a fairly disappointing season, where the winger had just 14 goals and six assists in all competitions – a major drop-off compared to the year prior where he scored 24 times and created 10 assists – his future in the Premier League has been a topic of conversation, and it was recently reported that Al-Ittihad have made an offer of £50m for Son, with the 30-year-old the latest in a long line of stars being touted for a move to the Saudi Pro League.

With a reported salary offer of £25m a season, the South Korean would join forces with Karim Benzema if he were to join the side, with the Frenchman recently leaving Real Madrid for the club.

Following Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabia late last year, numerous teams in the Pro League have begun splashing the cash on numerous high-profile names such as Benzema, Ruben Neves and N'Golo Kante, with Son expected to be the next man to make the switch.

The 30-year-old has spoken out, though, denying any intention of moving to the Saudi Pro League and even throwing a hint of shade at the division.

What did Son Heung-min say about the Saudi Pro League?

When questioned about a potential move to the country, Son shut it down immediately, claiming he wasn't finished in the Premier League and had things he still wanted to accomplish before he could leave.

Following South Korea's recent 1-1 draw against El Savador, telling the press: "I have many things to do in the Premier League and the pride of playing football, to play in my favourite league is important."

He went on to admit that he wasn't quite ready to leave Spurs and wanted to stay at the club this summer, saying: "I want to play more for Tottenham in the Premier League. I'll prepare well when I'm back to Spurs."

In what could be viewed as a dig at the Saudi Pro League's spending power, Son said: "Money doesn't matter to me now."

With several stars being paid absurd amounts of money to make the move, the comment reiterated the 30-year-old's desire to put his ambition over his desire for riches, something not often seen in football's current climate.