🚨 Is Lopetegui really a target for Man Utd? Plus Zaire-Emery shines again in UCL, Liverpool want youngster back, what Osimhen deal means for Chelsea, and more
Today's football headlines, featuring Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and much more!
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Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
AC Milan may have dropped into the Europa League, but what a goal this was by Samuel Chukwueze to win the game at Newcastle yesterday. FT Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Arsenal
Juventus have their eye on this Arsenal youngster, according to sources in Italy.
How likely is a deal between Juve and Arsenal? Fabrizio Romano addresses the stories here.
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo: “I don’t think we are closing in on new deal with Griezmann get, but for sure if he has to extend the contract he will do it. Koke and Hermoso contracts expiring in June? We are in talks — there’s still time.”
Baller League
Kevin Prince Boateng is ready for a new chapter after retiring back in August - as he’s expected to start in 2024 as new team manager in Mats Hummels’ Baller League - a new indoor football league. His career will turn into new experience soon.
Barcelona
Xavi: “We have to be critical and try to improve. We are not in a good moment. But we also have to think about where we come from and be happy even if it wasn’t a good night. We’re in the round of 16 as first in the group.”
Bayern Munich
Thomas Tuchel: “Manchester United is a huge club, remember that. When you see the group, you’d expect them to challenge for winning the group and reaching round of 16. But from my experience I can tell you we had a very difficult group. Now can look easy, but it was difficult.”
Borussia Dortmund
Niklas Sule did amazingly here to prevent what looked like a certain goal for Kylian Mbappe - how on earth did he get something on that?! FT Borussia Dortmund 1-1 PSG [Pictures from beIN Sports]
Celtic
This was the moment Celtic earned their first Champions League home win in ten years! FT Celtic 2-1 Feyenoord [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Chelsea
Chelsea are targeting new wingers as a priority - more from Simon Phillips here.
Is Axel Disasi really leaving Chelsea already? Fabrizio Romano with more info here.
Moises Caicedo sends a message over his poor form, saying: “The old Moises will be back and will continue to triumph and give a lot of joy to Chelsea. I’m calm because I knew moments like this would come and I need to remain mentally strong. Pochettino always supported me.”
FIFA The Best
FIFA The Best have picked the following three as the final candidates for the official 2023 Best Men’s Coach Award: Pep Guardiola, Luciano Spalletti, and Simone Inzaghi.
Fulham
Bernd Leno has just signed a new deal at Fulham — it will be valid until June 2027. It also includes the option to extend for a further year until 2028.
Inter Milan
Inter CEO Beppe Marotta: “It’s wonderful to hear our captain Lautaro Martinez saying that he’d sign the new contract as soon as possible. He’s a proper captain, he wants to stay. I can confirm that it will be easy to agree on new deal; maybe earlier than next month.”
Juventus
Has Dusan Vlahovic’s situation at Juventus changed? Fabrizio Romano takes a look in his column here.
Arsenal’s Charlie Patino has been linked with Juve, but what’s the truth? More info from Fabrizio Romano here.
Lazio
Lazio manager Maurizio Sarri: “I’d like to face Barcelona at UCL round of 16, honestly. It’d be my pick as I’ve never faced Barca as a coach and it’d be wonderful experience.”
Liverpool
Liverpool have opened talks with RB Leipzig to bring Fabio Carvalho back in January due to insufficient game time. Liverpool are not happy with this loan as he has only played a limited role there so far. Decision on next steps to be made soon.
More from Fabrizio Romano on the Carvalho situation in his exclusive column.
Manchester City
Micah Hamilton was a ball boy for Man City in 2017 receiving some instructions from Pep during game vs Crystal Palace. And now, the 2003-born striker scored on his senior debut in the Champions League under Pep. FT Red Star Belgrade 2-3 Man City [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Manchester City won six out of six of their group games, meaning they’re now 20 games unbeaten in the Champions League and the first English club ever to win eight in a row in the competition.
Manchester United
Julen Lopetegui has been strongly linked with the Manchester United job - Fabrizio Romano with his latest info here.
Erik ten Hag on the Bayern defeat: “The players gave everything, you saw the spirit. I have to credit the team, big compliments to the way they worked together, as a team, against a good Bayern side. You need energy from the bench, especially our front line... and the options were limited.”
Ten Hag on the group stage as a whole: “I don’t look at the campaign with regret. We have to learn from this UCL group and accept we played some good football. We want to be more consistent. I have to improve the team. I have to guide them, and the players have to be more responsible.”
Donny van de Beek is keen on the move to Eintracht Frankfurt, with talks advancing between the two clubs. Eintracht are leading the race to sign Donny despite Girona interest. It will be a loan deal.
Napoli
Napoli have reached an agreement in principle with Victor Osimhen over a new contract with a release clause included! It will be valid until June 2026, one more year. An official announcement is expected soon.
What does Osimhen’s new deal mean for his future? Details from Fabrizio Romano here.
Newcastle United
Newcastle may be out of Europe, but this screamer from Joelinton yesterday had fans dreaming. FT Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Bruno Guimaraes has dreams of playing in Spain one day, in a potential worry for Newcastle.
PSG
Warren Zaire-Emery continues to show what a special talent he is - he’s now managed two MOTM awards in five UCL games for PSG, while he’s on four goals and five assists this season. Still just 17 years of age, he’s the youngest player ever to play and score for the French national team. FT Borussia Dortmund 1-1 PSG [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Nasser Al Khelaifi: “Zaire-Emery is a magnificent player, I am proud of him. He is Parisian and wants to stay here, he is important.” ...new deal will be signed soon. No doubts. It’s all sorted.
Real Madrid
Antonio Rudiger on his future: “I feel very comfortable here at Real Madrid. I want to continue at this club for a long time.”
Dani Ceballos reveals: “If I’m at Real Madrid, it’s thanks to Carlo Ancelotti. He was key for me to be here today. He has always supported me. He told me he was very happy for the goal. His trust is key for me. He’s like a father to all of us.”
Royal Antwerp
What a moment this was for Royal Antwerp as they scored a stoppage time winner against Barcelona! FT Royal Antwerp 3-2 Barcelona [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Sevilla
Sergio Ramos has scored 17 goals in the Champions League - more than any other defender. His first goal came when he was 18 in 2005 at Sevilla, and he’s still making Champions League history.
Tottenham
There’s rumoured fresh interest in Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso ahead of January.
Spurs are also being linked with this England international…
Wolves
Wolves have agreed on new deal for Hwang Hee-chan. His new contract will be valid until June 2028 with an option for further season. The new deal will put him at same level of highest paid players at the club. Huge move for Wolves with one of their best players.
Could former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui be set for the Man Utd job?
Not sure Lopetegui is what United need, surely has to be someone like Alonso or De Zerbi?