EXCL: How Newcastle have responded to Tonali news, Musiala Liverpool interest confirmed, next England manager links, and more

Today's exclusive column, featuring Newcastle, Liverpool, Chelsea, England, and more!

Latest on Italian gambling scandal

I’ll start today’s column with the big news from here in Italy with the gambling scandal involving Sandro Tonali, Nicolo Faggioli and Nicolo Zaniolo. We have the first official ban, which is for Juventus man Faggioli - he admitted his current position in this scandal, betting on illegal platforms, and he will now be suspended for seven months.

Tonali, meanwhile, has been described by his agent as being ‘addicted’ to gambling, that he is fighting this demon. He wants to win this fight. For the moment he is still training with Newcastle, and he’s also been speaking to police to clarify his position. We will see what happens next, but what I can say, as his agent also said, is that Newcastle are supporting the player. It’s not an easy topic, it’s a sensitive issue, so we’re waiting to see some clarification with a public statement. Newcastle are trying to understand the situation, and any reports of the club terminating Tonali’s contract are completely false.

Liverpool not the only club keeping an eye on Jamal Musiala

Some reports in Germany are making big claims about the future of Jamal Musiala at Bayern Munich. His contract is due to expire in 2026, and at the moment it’s true that there is no agreement with Bayern over a new deal.

Why? Because at the moment the plans to discuss a new contract were with Bayern’s old management - the likes of Oliver Kahn, who recently left the club - they were preparing a new contract proposal for Musiala, and then the management changed.