🚨😡 Maguire's ten Hag ULTIMATUM, Zaniolo and Tonali questioned by POLICE 😱, Scotland's VAR controversy and have Poch's Chelsea plans been revealed?
Today's headlines, featuring Barcelona, Liverpool, Real Madrid and much more!
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Today’s top stories:
Plus more from Bayern, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain
Al Duhail
Official, confirmed. Former PSG and Lille manager Christophe Galtier signs in as new Al Duhail manager.
Argentina
Emiliano Martínez hasn’t conceded a goal for the Argentina National Team in 622 minutes. The last one was against Kylian Mbappé in the 2022 World Cup final, almost 10 months ago. It’s a new Argentinian record for Dibu.
The truth about Lionel Messi’s future is revealed here.
Arsenal
What’s the latest on an Arsenal move for Jurrien Timber’s brother, Quinten? Go here to find out.
Aston Villa
Nicolò Zaniolo and Sandro Tonali have been questioned by authorities. This happened after the Aston Villa and Newcastle players were accused about possible involvement in illegal betting. Both have left Italy’s training camp after speaking to the police.
Italian Federation statement on the accusations of possible illegal betting involvement for Tonali and Zaniolo. “The Federation announces that, in the late afternoon of today, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Turin has notified investigative acts to footballers Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo, currently meeting with the national team at the Federal Technical Center of Coverciano. Regardless of the nature of the acts, considering that in this situation the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the commitments scheduled in the coming days, the Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.”
Problems for Unai Emery as big-name signing wants out at Aston Villa [Football Insider via CaughtOffside]
Barcelona
Vitor Roque's agent Andre Cury: "Barcelona and the player's plan remains clear: he’s joining the club in January. Everything has been agreed with Paranaense for him to join in January. He's now recovering, we feel he could be ready in four weeks."
Barcelona star injured on Spain duty [via Football Espana]
Bayern Munich
Bayern’s Uli Hoeneß confirms that there are no changes on the Jerome Boateng situation: “We won’t sign him, it makes no sense for eight games. I'm hearing that our management may want to bring in another defender during the winter break — a centre-back or a right-back.”
Bayern Munich currently discussing move for £42m Man City star in January [Christian Falk via CaughtOffside]
Birmingham City
Birmingham City announce Wayne Rooney will be assisted by Ashley Cole and John O'Shea. Former teammates from England and Manchester United respectively, they will be part of the coaching staff with Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth who both assisted Rooney at D.C. United.
Wayne Rooney gave his first press conference as new Birmingham City manager and it was clear that he was delighted.
[Footage courtesy of Sky Sports/YouTube]
Brighton and Hove Albion
The Brighton Project: Bloom or Bust? | The Debrief Podcast - Angus Scott and Ben Jacobs are joined on The Debrief by journalist and documentary filmmaker Matthew Lorenzo and Johnny Cantor, who is the BBC’s local Brighton reporter and commentator.
Chelsea
Mauricio Pochettino: “It’s matter of time and in the end we will succeed together. I’m sure. We just need to be calm in the way we judge players and the team. I think we are growing and very good things are coming. You can feel that.”
What are Mauricio Pochettino’s transfer plans for January? Si Phillips has some exclusive insight here.
Euro 2024 Qualifying
There were eight games played in Euro 2024 qualifying on Thursday evening. Results as follows:
Latvia 2-0 Armenia
Spain 2-0 Scotland
Belarus 0-0 Romania
Andorra 0-3 Kosovo
Albania 3-0 Czech Republic
Faroe Islands 0-2 Poland
Cyprus 0-4 Norway
Croatia 0-1 Turkey
Golden Boy 2023 Nominees
20 finalists for Golden Boy plus five Wild Cards — Gavi can’t be included as he won the Award last year:
Inter Milan
Inter CEO Marotta: “We hope that Lautaro Martinez will be a symbol of our project for many, many years. He’s our captain and he could make history at Inter, we’re sure.”
Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk: “In England we believe the schedules are too busy. The players are getting paid well but it should never come at the cost of our health. We keep having to play more and more games. We as players should start saying something about it, contribute to a solution.”
Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has signed with ROOF Football as new agents. Documents completed. He’s under contract at Liverpool until June 2027.
Liverpool are looking at a top young defender to bolster their ranks. Find out who it is here.
Manchester City
Man City star's name being discussed by Champions League giants for January. More here.
Manchester United
Harry Maguire: "I am not going to sit here all my life and play once a month... if it carries on I am sure myself and the club will sit down and have a chat about things, but I am fully focused on fighting to try and win back my place at Man United. My record under this manager speaks for itself. I haven’t started as many games as I’d like but my win percentage when I’ve played is ridiculously high. Of course I can improve. I’ll keep working hard and pushing, I’m sure there will be opportunities to come."
Sofyan Amrabat: “It was an easy decision to join Man United, I had no doubts at all. I knew for a long time that United were interested. For me, it was clear that the only place I wanted to play was here. I had to be very patient.”
No breakthrough in talks on Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s new deal. Go here for an exclusive and important update.
Newcastle
Nicolò Zaniolo and Sandro Tonali have been questioned by authorities. This happened after the Aston Villa and Newcastle players were accused about possible involvement in illegal betting. Both have left Italy’s training camp after speaking to the police.
Italian Federation statement on the accusations of possible illegal betting involvement for Tonali and Zaniolo. “The Federation announces that, in the late afternoon of today, the Public Prosecutor's Office of Turin has notified investigative acts to footballers Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Zaniolo, currently meeting with the national team at the Federal Technical Center of Coverciano. Regardless of the nature of the acts, considering that in this situation the two players are not in the necessary condition to face the commitments scheduled in the coming days, the Federation has decided, also to protect them, to allow them to return to their respective clubs.”
Newcastle board discussing January targets which include Arsenal ace [Northern ECHO via CaughtOffside]
Norway
Erling Haaland scored a brace against Cyprus for Norway in a comfortable 4-0 win in Euro 2024 qualifying for the visitors. That’s now 27 goals in 27 national team appearances for the striker.
[Footage courtesy of Viaplay]
Paris Saint-Germain
Marco Verratti: "I spoke to Luis Enrique and he told me that I was not part of his plans. He is a great coach, I respect that. He just told me that he wanted to change. That I had been at PSG for many years, that he wanted something new. For me, things never happen by chance."
Real Madrid
Arda Güler, back in training with the Real Madrid squad — expected to be ready after the international break.
[Footage courtesy of Real Madrid TV]
Eduardo Camavinga’s new deal at Real Madrid will be valid until June 2029 — and not 2028. Six year extension, salary improved and €1B release clause. It’s all signed and sealed.
Real Madrid have agreed the terms of Fede Valverde’s new deal — contract now ready until June 2028. €1B release clause confirmed, agreement done.
“Don’t compare him with me” - Luka Modric on his new protege [Mundo Deportivo via Football Espana]
Scotland
There was more huge VAR controversy, this time during Scotland’s 2-0 defeat to Spain in Euro 2024 qualifying, after what appeared to be a perfectly legitimate Scott McTominay goal was chalked off for a foul on Spain goalkeeper, Unai Simon. Can you spot it from this alternative angle?
[Footage courtesy of Viaplay]
Spain
Captain against Scotland in their 2-0 win, Spain’s Alvaro Morata scored a wonderful opening goal in the Euro 2024 qualifier thanks to a pinpoint cross from Jesus Navas.
[Footage courtesy of Viaplay]
Wolves
Wolves have completed a signing for their U18 squad — 2006 talent Dani Angel, formerly of non-league sides Eagles United and Clapton FC. He also has futsal experience with Valencia between 2017 and 2020 , and he comes into a professional environment for the first time.
For all the very latest transfer news, read caughtoffside.com