🚨 Madrid OUT of Copa del Rey, Ajax bag Hendo, Deeney SACKED, Gerrard extends contract, Kudus' rocket, Tanganga heads south, and more

Today's headlines, featuring AFCON/Copa del Rey, Liverpool, Tottenham and more

Good morning folks and welcome to another Daily Briefing - thanks for reading as always, and hope you enjoy!

Today’s top stories:

• WATCH: Mohammed Kudus’ stunning goal for Ghana against Egypt

• LATEST: Have Al-Hilal terminated Neymar Jr’s contract?

• Barcelona make heavy weather of Copa del Rey minnows

• Plus more from Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham

AFCON

• Equatorial Guinea triumphed 4-2 over Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria pipped Ivory Coast 1-0, and West Ham striker, Mohammed Kudus’ brilliant opening goal set Ghana on their way to a 2-2 draw with Egypt who had Mohammed Salah go off with a suspected hamstring injury [pictures from Sky Sports].

Ajax

• Jordan Henderson has joined Ajax from Al Ettifaq. He will wear No. 6. John van't Schip: “His arrival means a huge enhancement for our squad. Both on and off the pitch, a football player of this calibre is important for our many young players.”

Al Ettifaq

• Steven Gerrard has signed a new long term deal at Al Ettifaq — he’s 100% involved in the Saudi club’s project. His contract will be valid until June 2027.

Al Hilal

• Al Hilal have NOT terminated Neymar Jr’s contract. Reports are being denied by sources as “fake news.” Al Hilal will just make space in the squad list for Renan Lodi -as a foreign player - as Neymar is injured and won’t play again this season. Then he’s set to return to the squad.

Aston Villa

• Aston Villa have sent an official bid for Morgan Rogers at Middlesbrough. The player is considered a top target for Unai Emery in the January window, and Rogers is understood to be excited by this big opportunity.

• Aston Villa and Copenhagen have both sent formal bids to sign Hákon Rafn Valdimarsson. Nothing done yet as 2001 born goalkeeper is wanted by several clubs. Aston Villa have sent a bid in excess of €2m… while Copenhagen offered around €1.7m.

Atlético Madrid

• Atlético Madrid keep working on a new striker solution in case Ángel Correa’s sale to Al Ittihad proceeds. Atléti have agreed on a loan deal with Juve for Moise Kean including small loan fee also discussed. Kean deal depends on Ángel Correa and Al Ittihad now.

• Atlético pursuing Man City star with decision made next week [The Telegraph]

Benfica

• Benfica are finally closing in on a deal for Benjamín Rollheiser. Agreement set to be sealed between all parties. Benfica and Estudiantes will start exchanging documents in the next few days. It’s a loan move with obligation to buy clause in June. Rollheiser will land in Lisbon later today in order to complete his move.

• Ciquinho will leave Benfica with immediate effect to join Olympiacos. Decision made as he agreed free agent deal for July… but it will happen now. Olympiacos are prepared to leave future sale percentage to Benfica in order to have Ciquinho in January.

Copa del Rey

• Barcelona made heavy going of their 3-1 victory over Unionistas de Salamanca, a Spanish third tier side that had the audacity to take the lead against them! The Catalans fought back with three stunning goals from Ferran Torres, Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde [pictures from RFEF].

• The Madrid derby was a true classic which went to extra-time before Atlético came out on top, 4-2 against Real. It was 2-2 after 90 minutes before Antoine Griezmann produced this incredible individual effort that helped tip the balance in the Rojiblancos favour in the extra 30 minutes [pictures from RFEF].

Everton

• Lyon are pushing again to sign Arnaut Danjuma. Talks are ongoing and the player remains keen on the move as he could have guaranteed game time. Pressure now on Everton to make final decision as there’s no green light yet.

Feyenoord

• Feyenoord forward Javairô Dilrosun is on Hellas Verona’s list to replace Cyril Ngonge who’s joining Napoli. Contacts took place to be informed on the conditions of the deal.

Forest Green Rovers

• Troy Deeney has been sacked as Forest Green Rovers manager after just six games. No wins and a public dressing down of his players saw a quick decision made. It was Deeney’s first experience as coach.

Hadjuk Split

• Ivan Perisić’s comeback at Hajduk Split is advancing well, now at the final stages. Perisić is keen on returning to make history at the club. Tottenham are prepared to accept a loan move until the end of the summer.

Hoffenheim

• David Jurasek to Hoffenheim, here we go! Agreement in place with Benfica. Final details sorted — loan with buy option clause.

Inter

• Mehdi Taremi didn’t want to comment on his deal with Inter as he’s “focused on the Asian Cup” … but the verbal agreement between Inter and Taremi on a free transfer starting from July is already in place. There are final details to discuss in order to get the deal done.

• Inter annoyed by Allegri’s title race claims [Gazzetta dello Sport]

Lille

• Could Jonathan David’s form see him secure a January move away. Jonathan Johnson has the details.

Liverpool

• Alexis Mac Allister: “I want to spend many years here at Liverpool. I really enjoy my life here, hopefully I'll be here for a long time.”

• Egypt coach reacts to Mo Salah’s injury [Evening Standard]

Lyon

• Jonathan Johnson has the lowdown on why a loan move back to Lyon could suit Karim Benzema who is reportedly unhappy at Al Ittihad.

• Gift Orban has completed his medical tests and signed the contract as a new Lyon player. Deal will be valid until June 2028, Lyon will pay a €13m fee to Gent.

Napoli

• Cyril Ngonge has just completed medical tests to become a new Napoli player. The Belgian forward will sign the contract on Friday and then deal will be made official. €18m plus €2m to Hellas Verona. Here we go, confirmed.

Olympiacos

• Olympiacos have sent a formal bid to Corinthians for Argentinian midfielder Fausto Vera. Many clubs are following Vera, waiting for final decision.

Paris Saint-Germain

• Corinthians president Augusto Melo has confirmed that Gabriel Moscardo can be considered a new PSG player. “The deal is done. Moscardo has been sold to Paris Saint-Germain. The story is over.”

• Could Nordi Mukiele move from the French capital to Bayern Munich? Our French football expert Jonathan Johnson has more.

• If Mukiele moves on, Jonathan Johnson believes Sacha Boey could fill the gap.

RB Salzburg

• RB Salzburg have rejected approaches from Eintracht Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Wolfsburg for Roko Simić in recent weeks. RB Salzburg have absolutely no plans to let Roko leave this winter.

Real Betis

• Andrés Guardado leaves Real Betis with immediate effect, club confirms. He’s set to join León de México.

Real Sociedad

• Official, confirmed. Sheraldo Becker has joined Real Sociedad on a permanent deal from Union Berlin.

Sassuolo

• Sassuolo have completed the deal to sign Josh Doig from Hellas Verona on a permanent deal.

Saudi Pro League

• Saudi Pro League CEO Saad Allazeez on Jordan Henderson: “This is all just part of football, all across the world and life, across all careers. Sometimes despite best efforts people don’t always adjust or settle and that can impact performances and lead to frustrations for all. Jordan is a good guy and it’s a shame that things didn’t work out for him, but he’d be the first to admit that full support was given to him and respect shown. So everyone tried and no one is to blame. I’m pleased the club acted fast as they have to protect their own interests as well as the player and this instance, this is all for the best. Since their financial conditions for cancelling the contract were agreed, they can now make full use of the winter break and transfer window to reset and go again. And as a league we have the strength and depth to move forward. In fact, despite it being early days under our new strategy we have never been in a stronger position. So far in only five months, we’ve had more goals so become more entertaining, with more fans attending matches and watching in over 160 countries worldwide. We’ve become a younger league, more international and more attractive with commercial revenue up over 650% and new global partners. So, everything is trending in the right direction. Looking ahead we are very positive and expect more good players to come in. But, of course, some will move on too. That comes with being a top league, especially when you consider squads are capped. So, we’d expect the flow of talent to go both ways. But overall, we are very happy at the progress and growth in just half a season. Firm foundations have been laid for future strength.”

Sevilla

• Mateo Mejia has joined Sevilla on a free permanent deal from Man United, confirmed. United have a 25% sell-on clause.

• Sevilla’s Victor Orta denies contact with Valencia over striker [Relevo]

Shakhtar Donetsk

• Shakhtar Donetsk completed the deal for Kevin, joining from Palmeiras on a €15m fee. Five year contract, agreement sealed by Paulo Pitombeira/Talents Sports.

Swansea

• Swansea have had a first offer for Romaine Mundle turned down today by Standard Liege. Mundle could be leaving this month as Swansea, Stoke and Plymouth are keen to get him. Interest from several clubs, one to follow.

Tottenham Hotspur

• Serie A giants interested in Tottenham star with 167 appearances for the club [The Telegraph]

• Japhet Tanganga’s loan move to Milwall will not include any buy option clause. Straight loan until the end of the season from Spurs. Both Tanganga and Reguilón will be back in June.

Union Berlin

• Chris Bedia to Union Berlin, done deal and here we go! Agreement in place for Bedia to replace Sheraldo Becker as a new striker. Contract agreed and €2m fee to Servette.

Villarreal

• Villarreal are closing in on a deal to sign Gonçalo Guedes from Wolves. Benfica have 100% decided to terminate their loan deal meaning he’s free to join Villarreal. Final details being sorted between clubs and then time for medical tests.