Sale Sharks have signed Bath back-rower Tom Ellis on a deal until the end of the 2023-24 Premiership season.

He had a loan spell with Saracens earlier this year.

"I'm really happy to be here. From the outside it's clear that this is a team and a club that's on the up and I think the style of play here suits me," he told the club website.

In her BBC Sport Wales column, Wales number eight Sioned Harries talks about the elation of winning in Edinburgh and looks ahead to the challenge of England.

They made this pretty obvious on their media platforms - and that really pumped us up.

We usually play at Scotstoun in Glasgow, but the atmosphere in Edinburgh was electric, probably on a par with Cardiff Arms Park when we played Ireland.

The stadium was confined so the crowd were much closer and we could hear all the singing and chanting from our great travelling support.

The game was really close, especially in that first half, but the real momentum shifter was Scotland overthrowing a five-metre lineout just on the stroke of half-time when we had Kerin Lake in the bin.

It was great that we could start fast in the second half with an early try, and we took it away from them in the final 15 minutes.

Tactically we made the right changes and on-field decisions at the right time, and Ffion Lewis showed she certainly knows where the try line is, just as she did in Cardiff last year.

The final score (34-22) is the largest margin we've beaten them by in a while, it's usually closer than that. It's great to see us scoring tries more freely now, we've had two wins and two bonus points.

Prop idols

If you looked at us last season and at the World Cup, our problem was that we were not coming away from our opposition's 22 with points. Now we are playing on momentum and being clinical with our chances.

Our front row is getting the plaudits and rightly so. They are our very own bomb squad.

In the World Cup there was a lot of talk about the hard work of our back row that gave the half-backs an armchair ride. But at the moment it's the front row giving the rest of the pack an armchair ride!

The number of carries they make between the three of them is ridiculous, they work so hard and their performances are credit to their fitness and skill sets.

They played for 79 minutes which is unheard of. But how do you take them off when they are playing so well?

It was great to see Keira [Bevan] winning her 50th cap. I was there for her first when we beat England at St Helen's in 2015.

It was a really nice moment for her running onto the pitch in front of her parents. Shaun Connor [Wales attack and kicking coach] presented her cap.

It was fitting as Keira used to go to the Ospreys all the time and would always insist on waiting to have a picture and an autograph from Shaun.

I remember when I made a break, I looked to put Keira in for the try. Some have said 'you should have backed yourself', but I thought Keira would never have forgiven me if didn't give her the opportunity on her 50th. Anyway, neither of us scored it in the end, but we laugh about it now. We all know how sensitive scrum-halves are!

We were allowed to go out and celebrate. Ioan's [Cunningham] words were 'Celebrate the win, it's important that you enjoy the time with your team-mates, just remember we've got an early flight in the morning'.

We all convened in the hotel bar, and a few of us went in search of a karaoke bar, but it was booked out for a private party, so I didn't get to bust out Mustang Sally.

We ended up coming back to the hotel. It was quite nice actually because the Worcester girls who travelled to support were there, we had a catch up and it ended up being a really good night with both sets of team-mates.

Focus shift to England

We go into the fallow week now, and it's always one of the hardest weeks because bodies are going to be tired and injuries creep in, but you've got to keep the momentum going and keep morale up.

There will be another showing of the bloopers reel this week and an Easter egg hunt post-training. Comedy club have been busy as well compiling stuff, but I'll be able to say more about that next week as I don't want to give too much away.

The feeling in camp is really good and we will keep focused because England are next up.

I'm glad we've got them in the middle of the campaign given the way we've started. It's a top-of-the-table clash and the onus is on us to back those first two performances up.

We're certainly not getting ahead of ourselves and thinking we're unstoppable, we have definitely got some work-ons.

Our discipline is going to be a big one. We gave away 15 penalties against Scotland, 10 in the first half. You just can't afford to do that, especially against England who are a very clinical team.

If we are ill-disciplined, we are just going to give them a piggyback down the field.

We also need to do some work at the breakdown, we need to win the race there, but ultimately we just need to be clinical in specific areas of the field.

In previous games against England, we played a lot without the ball, so it's going to be a lot of what we can do when we do have the ball.

Could history repeat itself?

Having another record crowd at Cardiff Arms Park gives us such a big lift. More than 8,000 tickets have been sold for England, and we want to keep breaking records.

It's going to be loud, but I'm not naïve enough to think there will just be Welsh fans. There will be plenty of Red Roses fans as well because it's just over the bridge. I am so excited for it, I really can't wait.

I was part of the team who beat England for only the second time in our history eight years ago.

I think it was just a feeling of complete disbelief at the time because they were the World Cup winners in 2014 and that was the first Six Nations after that tournament.

I remember Elinor Snowsill's perfect cross-field kick for Laurie Harries. You tend to see things like that pulled off in training, but never in a game.

It was just one of those days when everything was going our way and everything just worked. It would be nice to have one of those a week Saturday.

Everyone keeps saying there is no better time to play England with some of the players they have out injured.

But I'm experienced enough to know that you never underestimate England, you never rule them out. They have huge depth and talent in their squad.

Carys Phillips, who was also in the 2015 team, and I were going out for coffee on Sunday morning when we bumped into Gerald Davies.

He mentioned, 'England next then girls'. We were like 'yes, it's going to be a tough one'. But he replied 'yes they are a good team, but someone's got to beat them', and I guess that is true.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has appointed Huw Bevan as its interim performance director.

Bevan will join from USA Rugby, where he has been employed since 2018.

"This is a great opportunity to work within Wales, for my home nation and have a positive impact on the business," said Bevan.

"The way the women's game is developing, it's an exciting time to come in.

"There are some issues and lots to do but I've never been one to run away from a challenge.

"I've had a range of experiences in a wide variety of positions, and I will be able to bring the skills and competencies required to help me be effective in this role.

"The existing relationships I have with many people across the Welsh rugby community will be important.

"I will look to expand those relationships and build new ones that will help us be successful."

Bevan was Cardiff's fitness coach between 1997 and 1999 and was head of strength and conditioning at Ospreys between 2003 and 2008.

He joined Dragons as high performance manager in 2014 and went on to become head of rugby operations.

After joining USA Rugby in 2018 as strength and conditioning coach with the senior side, Bevan was appointed head of high performance in 2020, meaning he led and managed all rugby programmes.

In 2021, Bevan was promoted to director of performance before taking on the role of interim general manager of USA Rugby in January 2023.

Bevan has also held senior positions in cricket, first with Glamorgan - between 2002 and 2006 - and then the England and Wales Cricket Board.

He graduated to become the England team's strength and conditioning coach from 2009 to 2014, a period when England's men celebrated three Ashes series wins and were ICC World T20 winners.

"Huw is an experienced and talented performance director with an intimate knowledge of the Welsh rugby landscape but also an impressive background in performance sport outside of rugby and a variety of different roles around the globe," said Walker.

"This wealth of experience will be an asset to all quarters of Welsh rugby and we are delighted to welcome Huw back home to Wales."

With the regular season winding down, every game seems to take on greater importance. But tonight's slate offers one contest that stands out above the rest.

The Winnipeg Jets host the Calgary Flames (7:30 p.m. ET, NHL Power Play on ESPN+), holding a two-point lead in the standings, and a four-game edge in regulation wins. The two teams have split the season series thus far; the Flames won 3-2 in Calgary on Nov. 12, and the Jets won 3-2 in Winnipeg on Jan. 3.

After this game, the Jets host the Nashville Predators (whose wild-card hopes are quickly dwindling) and San Jose Sharks before closing out with road games against the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche. The Flames head to British Columbia to take on the Vancouver Canucks, then host the Predators and Sharks to close out their season.

As of now, the Jets have a 79% chance to make the playoffs, per FiveThirtyEight, while the Flames are at 12%.

As we enter the final stretch of the regular season, it's time to check all the playoff races -- along with the teams jockeying for position in the 2023 NHL draft lottery.

Note: Playoff chances are via FiveThirtyEight.

Jump ahead:
Current playoff matchups
Today's games
Last night's scores
Expanded standings
Race for No. 1 pick

Current playoff matchups

Eastern Conference

A1 Boston Bruins vs. WC2 New York Islanders
A2 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. A3 Tampa Bay Lightning
M1 Carolina Hurricanes vs. WC1 Florida Panthers
M2 New Jersey Devils vs. M3 New York Rangers

Western Conference

C1 Colorado Avalanche vs. WC1 Seattle Kraken
C2 Dallas Stars vs. C3 Minnesota Wild
P1 Vegas Golden Knights vs. WC2 Winnipeg Jets
P2 Edmonton Oilers vs. P3 Los Angeles Kings

Wednesday's games

Note: All times Eastern. All games not on ESPN, TNT or NHL Network are available via NHL Power Play, which is included in an ESPN+ subscription (local blackout restrictions apply).

Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers, 7:30 p.m. (TNT)
Calgary Flames at Winnipeg Jets, 7:30 p.m.
Edmonton Oilers at Anaheim Ducks, 10 p.m. (TNT)

Tuesday's scoreboard

Watch "In the Crease" on ESPN+ for highlights from every game.

Carolina Hurricanes 3, Ottawa Senators 2 (OT)
Florida Panthers 2, Buffalo Sabres 1
Detroit Red Wings 5, Montreal Canadiens 0
New Jersey Devils 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 1
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Nashville Predators 3, Vegas Golden Knights 2 (OT)
St. Louis Blues 4, Philadelphia Flyers 2
Chicago Blackhawks 4, Calgary Flames 3
Seattle Kraken 5, Vancouver Canucks 2
Edmonton Oilers 3, Los Angeles Kings 1
Colorado Avalanche 4, San Jose Sharks 3 (OT)

Expanded standings

Atlantic Division

p - Boston Bruins

Points: 125
Regulation wins: 50
Playoff position: A1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 133
Next game: vs. TOR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Toronto Maple Leafs

Points: 102
Regulation wins: 39
Playoff position: A2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 109
Next game: @ BOS (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Tampa Bay Lightning

Points: 96
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: A3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 102
Next game: @ NYR (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Florida Panthers

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. OTT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 76%
Tragic number: N/A

Buffalo Sabres

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 6
Points pace: 87
Next game: @ DET (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 3%
Tragic number: 7

Ottawa Senators

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 85
Next game: @ FLA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 3

Detroit Red Wings

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 84
Next game: vs. BUF (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 1%
Tragic number: 2

e - Montreal Canadiens

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 69
Next game: vs. WSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Metropolitan Division

x - Carolina Hurricanes

Points: 109
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 116
Next game: @ NSH (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - New Jersey Devils

Points: 106
Regulation wins: 37
Playoff position: M2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 111
Next game: vs. CBJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - New York Rangers

Points: 101
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: M3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 108
Next game: vs. TB (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

New York Islanders

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. TB (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 77%
Tragic number: N/A

Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 90
Next game: vs. MIN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 44%
Tragic number: 8

e - Washington Capitals

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 82
Next game: @ MTL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 76
Next game: @ DAL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 15
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 60
Next game: @ NJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Central Division

x - Colorado Avalanche

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: C1
Games left: 6
Points pace: 106
Next game: @ SJ (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Dallas Stars

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: C2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 104
Next game: vs. PHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Minnesota Wild

Points: 98
Regulation wins: 32
Playoff position: C3
Games left: 5
Points pace: 104
Next game: @ PIT (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Winnipeg Jets

Points: 89
Regulation wins: 33
Playoff position: WC2
Games left: 5
Points pace: 95
Next game: vs. CGY (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 79%
Tragic number: N/A

Nashville Predators

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 92
Next game: vs. CAR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 8%
Tragic number: 7

e - St. Louis Blues

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 83
Next game: vs. NYR (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Arizona Coyotes

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 70
Next game: @ SEA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 60
Next game: @ VAN (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

Pacific Division

x - Vegas Golden Knights

Points: 104
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P1
Games left: 4
Points pace: 109
Next game: vs. LA (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Edmonton Oilers

Points: 101
Regulation wins: 41
Playoff position: P2
Games left: 4
Points pace: 106
Next game: @ ANA (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

x - Los Angeles Kings

Points: 100
Regulation wins: 35
Playoff position: P3
Games left: 4
Points pace: 105
Next game: @ VGK (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 100%
Tragic number: N/A

Seattle Kraken

Points: 94
Regulation wins: 34
Playoff position: WC1
Games left: 5
Points pace: 100
Next game: vs. ARI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: >99%
Tragic number: N/A

Calgary Flames

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 4
Points pace: 92
Next game: @ WPG (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 12%
Tragic number: 6

e - Vancouver Canucks

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 22
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 80
Next game: vs. CHI (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - San Jose Sharks

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 16
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 64
Next game: vs. COL (Thursday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

e - Anaheim Ducks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13
Playoff position: N/A
Games left: 5
Points pace: 60
Next game: vs. EDM (Wednesday)
Playoff chances: 0%
Tragic number: E

P -- Clinched Presidents' Trophy; Y -- Clinched division; X -- Clinched playoff berth; E -- Eliminated from playoff contention

Race for the No. 1 pick

The NHL uses a draft lottery to determine the order of the first round, so the team that finishes in last place is not guaranteed the No. 1 selection. As of 2021, a team can move up a maximum of 10 spots if it wins the lottery, so only 11 teams are eligible for the draw for the No. 1 pick. Full details on the process can be found here. Sitting No. 1 on the draft board for this summer is Connor Bedard, who has been lauded as a generational talent.

1. Anaheim Ducks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 13

2. Columbus Blue Jackets

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 15

3. Chicago Blackhawks

Points: 56
Regulation wins: 17

4. San Jose Sharks

Points: 60
Regulation wins: 16

5. Montreal Canadiens

Points: 66
Regulation wins: 20

6. Arizona Coyotes

Points: 67
Regulation wins: 20

7. Philadelphia Flyers

Points: 71
Regulation wins: 26

8. Vancouver Canucks

Points: 75
Regulation wins: 22

9. Washington Capitals

Points: 77
Regulation wins: 26

10. St. Louis Blues

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 27

11. Detroit Red Wings

Points: 79
Regulation wins: 28

12. Buffalo Sabres

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 28

13. Ottawa Senators

Points: 81
Regulation wins: 29

14. Pittsburgh Penguins

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 29

15. Nashville Predators

Points: 86
Regulation wins: 29

16. Calgary Flames

Points: 87
Regulation wins: 29

The NCAA men's hockey Frozen Four isn't just about bragging rights. It's an opportunity to glimpse the future of the sport, to watch elite players on college hockey's biggest stage before their names adorn the backs of NHL jerseys.

Take the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The top seed in the 2023 Frozen Four has NHL prospects such as forward Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes), winger Matthew Knies (Toronto Maple Leafs), forward Jimmy Snuggerud (St. Louis Blues) and defenseman Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild). Twenty years ago, when the Gophers won another national title in the 2003 Frozen Four, it was Thomas Vanek, Paul Martin and Keith Ballard leading the way -- all of whom played over 600 games in the NHL.

Today's NCAA champions, tomorrow's NHL players. But which school in the 2023 Frozen Four could put together the greatest "ultimate" lineups of alumni: Boston University, Michigan, Minnesota or Quinnipiac?

A couple of ground rules for our ranking. First, this is based on the players' NHL careers, both in overall accomplishment and for what these players were at the height of their powers. These are six-player lineups with left and right wings, a center, two defensemen and a goalie. Alas, no cheating by moving a wing to center who never played center in the NHL.

Here are the ultimate lineup rankings for the 2023 Frozen Four:

Brazilian wonderkid forward Endrick has rejected comparisons with late Brazil legend Pele and spoke out about the pressure he has faced since agreeing to sign for Real Madrid.

Madrid announced in December that a deal to sign Endrick, 16, from Palmeiras had been reached, with the player set to move to the Bernabeu when he turns 18 years old in July 2024.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

The teenager has since suffered a dip in form with his club, scoring his first goal in five months as a second-half substitute in Sunday's 2-1 league defeat to Agua Santa.

"I need to keep working," Endrick told the Brazilian edition of GQ in an interview published on Wednesday. "That's what [Palmeiras coach] Abel Ferreira asks of me. I'm an adult, the same as the other players in the squad. Nobody should feel sorry for me or pat me on the head."

Endrick has made 12 appearances for Palmeiras in the 2023 Sao Paulo State Championship since his move to Madrid was confirmed, with eight starts, four substitute appearances and just one goal scored.

"I used to be aware of what people were saying about me. But not anymore," Endrick said. "I like TikTok, but when I see something about me, I move on quickly.

"Recently a story came out saying that I was in therapy, but that's a lie. The press don't know what's happening, and they publish it. But I can't do anything. If I come out and contradict everything they say, I'd spend all my time doing it."

Endrick has been one of Brazil's most highly rated young players since making his first-team debut for Palmeiras aged 16 last October, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the club's history.

Madrid beat competition from a number of top European clubs to clinch his signing, in a deal that Palmeiras president Leila Pereira described as "the biggest deal in the history of Brazilian football."

"Sometimes I ask myself: Why are there so many stories about me?" Endrick said. "I didn't ask for this. There are situations that cross a line. 'Ah, he's the new Pele.' Man, nobody is going to be Pele, he's the king of football.

"But there's nothing I can do, I can't ask people not to talk about my life. I always said I'd like all Brazilians to be able to be close to me, but I understand more and more that that's not possible, there will always be people who attack me."

Liverpool have called for an end to "vile chants" about the Hillsborough Stadium disaster after they were heard during Tuesday's goalless Premier League draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The 1989 FA Cup semifinal was the scene of Britain's worst sporting disaster when 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives after a crush in an over-crowded and fenced-in enclosure.

"We know the impact these vile chants have on those who continue to suffer as a result of football tragedies. For their sake, this has to stop," Liverpool tweeted.

Chelsea apologised and said "hateful chanting has no place in football".

The Premier League said it condemned the "tragedy chanting" at the match.

"We continue to treat this as an unacceptable issue and are seeking to address it as a priority," it added.

Luis Enrique has flown into London for talks on taking over the manager's job at Chelsea, sources have told ESPN.

The former Barcelona and Spain coach arrived in London on Wednesday morning for discussions over the position -- vacant since Graham Potter was sacked on Sunday after seven months in charge -- with Chelsea keen to hear his assessment of their squad.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

Luis Enrique is not the only option to take over at Stamford Bridge, sources said, with other names in the frame, but the club have viewed him as a priority candidate for some time.

Over a month ago, sources told ESPN that Chelsea had him in mind in the event that Potter lost his job before the end of the season.

Chelsea are in 11th place in the Premier League -- 11 points off the top four -- after a 0-0 home draw with Liverpool on Tuesday, after significant investment in the squad in the last two transfer windows.

They play Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals this month, with the first leg to come at the Bernabeu on April 12.

Luis Enrique, 52, has been out of work since leaving the Spain job following their disappointing showing at the Qatar World Cup, where they were eliminated on penalties by Morocco in the round of 16.

He had been Spain coach since 2018, taking them to the Euro 2020 semifinals -- beaten by Italy on penalties -- and the 2021 Nations League final, where they lost to France.

The Spaniard won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, as well as two LaLiga titles and three Copas del Rey, including a historic 2015 treble.

- Chelsea need to speed up manager search after Liverpool draw
- Inside story of why Chelsea sacked Graham Potter

Sources told ESPN that Luis Enrique had been monitoring the situations at Chelsea and Atletico Madrid -- where coach Diego Simeone has come under pressure this season -- as he awaits his next move.

With Atletico's form improving, his attention turned to the Premier League and the prospect of taking charge at a top club, sources said.

Despite links with the manager's job at Tottenham after Antonio Conte left by mutual consent last month, sources told ESPN that he was focused on Chelsea.

"I follow the Premier [League] above all, because I would like to go to England to work," Luis Enrique told Cadena SER radio last week. "I wouldn't go to any team, but one that could do important things, which greatly reduces the number."

Lionel Messi is actively considering a move to Saudi Arabia that would see him join Al Hilal, the city rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, when his Paris Saint-Germain contract expires this summer, a source familiar with negotiations has told ESPN.

Having opened talks with Messi and his advisors late last year, senior figures in the bid to take the 35-year-old to the Middle Eastern nation had initially believed they had no more than an outside chance of persuading the former Barcelona forward to follow Ronaldo to Riyadh.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

However, a source has told ESPN there is now an increasing likelihood of Messi, who fronts the Visit Saudi tourism campaign, moving to the Saudi Pro League, putting the probability as high as "50-50" following talks with the player's camp in Saudi Arabia last month.

ESPN reported on Tuesday that Messi is unlikely to reach an agreement to extend his contract at PSG, which runs out at the end of the season having signed a two-year deal on his arrival from Barcelona in 2021.

While Barcelona president Joan Laporta maintains an interest in funding a deal to take the Argentina captain back to the Spotify Camp Nou, the La Liga leaders continue to battle against financial problems and a move for Messi appears unlikely to succeed.

And although Inter Miami have been involved in long-term negotiations to sign Messi, the Major League Soccer franchise would be unable to come close to competing with the money on offer in Saudi Arabia.

But while a source said that reports of a £350 million-a-year package in Saudi with Al-Hilal are excessive, there is an appetite in the country to continue boost the profile of the Saudi Pro League following Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr in December.

Saudi Arabia is scheduled to stage the FIFA Club World Cup for the first time in December and it is expected that the nation will confirm its bid to host the 2030 World Cup prior later this year.

- Laurens: PSG fans booing Messi. Here's why.

Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr has already significantly increased the focus on football in the country, with the source saying the opportunity to sign Messi this summer has become more realistic, with many major clubs in Europe struggling financially.

Al-Hilal, coached by former Argentina forward Ramon Diaz, are the reigning Saudi champions and the most successful team the Asian Champions League having won the competition for a record fourth time when it was last staged in 2021.

The club are regarded as the biggest and most popular in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh neighbours Al-Nassr their traditional rivals.