🚨Man United star COMPLETES January transfer, Nkunku return getting CLOSER, Eddie Howe comments on Chelsea loanee, and more
Today's football headlines, featuring Man City, Liverpool, Barcelona and much more!
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Today’s top stories:
AC Milan
AC Milan have asked Barcelona about the Clement Lenglet situation at Aston Villa ahead of the January window. Kiwior, Gabbia and now Lenglet are all on Milan’s transfer list.
Al-Ittihad
Karim Benzema missed a crucial penalty for Al-Ittihad as the Saudi Arabian club were knocked out of the FIFA Club World Cup by Al Ahly. FT: Al Ahly 3-1 Al-Ittihad [Pictures from TNT Sports]
Aston Villa
AC Milan have asked Barcelona about the Clement Lenglet situation at Aston Villa ahead of the January window.
Augsburg
The future of Augsburg striker Ermedin Demirović is one to watch in 2024 as he has decided to sign with new agents, ROOF.
Barcelona
River Plate’s Claudio Echeverri has said that he would like to play for Barcelona in the future. The 17-year-old star said: “Besides River, I’d mention Barcelona. I’m a big Leo Messi fan and I used to watch him playing for Barça when I was a kid.”
Xavi has spoken about Claudio Echeverri as an option for Barcelona. “He is a talent. Beyond the three goals he scored against Brazil, he’s a very talented boy,” the Barca coach said. “He is a differential footballer, but this is something for the scouting area.”
The race for Claudio Echeverri is still open for Premier League clubs to join. Fabrizio Romano has more information about the future of the 17-year-old talent here.
AC Milan have asked Barcelona about the Clement Lenglet situation at Aston Villa ahead of the January window.
Barcelona manager Xavi has been speaking about his future at the club. “I'm not thinking about resigning. I'm fine, very excited thinking that we can have a great season,” the Barca coach said. “I believe more than ever in the project and the players. I have a great relationship with the president, with Deco, with Yuste.”
Brighton
Brighton centre-back Samy Chouchane will sign a new deal at the Premier League club which is valid for the next two years plus an option for a further season.
Chelsea
What did Eddie Howe’s comments about Chelsea loanee Lewis Hall during his Friday press conference mean? Fabrizio Romano has the details here.
Moises Caicedo has spoken to Sky Sports about why he chose Chelsea over Liverpool during the summer. “Why Chelsea and not Liverpool? I was talking with Chelsea for a long time. It was impossible to say no to Chelsea because they were supporting me,” the midfielder said. “Liverpool called me but it was too late because I wanted to play for Chelsea.”
Chelsea have confirmed that Christopher Nkunku has returned to full team training.
The London club have also said that Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Robert Sanchez are all set for spells on the sidelines.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that Reece James is down following his latest injury, the Argentine coach stated: “He's a little bit down because he was very excited to come back. It's difficult to accept. He feels very disappointed and frustrated.”
Kendry Páez will be at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday for Chelsea’s match with Newcastle. The Ecuadorian youngster will join the Blues in 2025 when he turns 18.
Reports state that Chelsea have Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha down as a potential target.
Eintracht Frankfurt
Man United’s Donny van de Beek will join Eintracht Frankfurt in January on loan. The deal runs until June with a €15m option-to-buy clause included. The Bundesliga club will also pay a loan fee to the Premier League side.
Fulham
Liverpool and other top clubs are rumoured to be interested in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha. Fabrizio Romano has more on the story here.
Hoffenheim
Liverpool are still monitoring TSG Hoffenheim’s Maximilian Beier. Christian Falk has more on this story here.
Inter Milan
Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio has said about Lille’s Tiago Djaló: “For sure we are tracking him and Tiago is an interesting player, I can’t say more than this.”
Ausilio has also said that Inter will sign a replacement for the injured Juan Cuadrado in January.
Liverpool
Liverpool are rumoured to be interested in Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha. Fabrizio Romano has more on the story here.
Moises Caicedo has spoken to Sky Sports about why he chose Chelsea over Liverpool during the summer. “Why Chelsea and not Liverpool? I was talking with Chelsea for a long time. It was impossible to say no to Chelsea because they were supporting me,” the midfielder said. “Liverpool called me but it was too late because I wanted to play for Chelsea.”
Liverpool are still monitoring TSG Hoffenheim’s Maximilian Beier. Christian Falk has more on this story here.
LOSC Lille
Inter Sporting Director Piero Ausilio has said about Lille’s Tiago Djaló: “For sure we are tracking him and Tiago is an interesting player, I can’t say more than this.”
Manchester City
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fitness update on Erling Haaland. “I’m not worried. Not fractured, just stress,” the Spanish coach said. “Hopefully Erling can travel to Saudi Arabia. Tomorrow, after the game we see if he plays the first game or second at the Club World Cup.
Guardiola has also said that he doesn’t know what is happening regarding new signings in January. “Right now, I don’t have anything in my mind. It depends on if they leave, or don’t. I don’t know,” the Man City manager said. “Some players stay, some leave, it depends on the amount in the squad, on young players we rely on or not, we will see.”
Pep Guardiola on people believing Man City's success was easy due to money: “We believe it’s exceptional,” the City boss stated. “The teams don’t really believe it’s easy otherwise they would’ve done it — and they have not done it. We have done it.”
Journalist claims that Kalvin Phillips is “keen” on moving to Newcastle in January.
Manchester United
Man United’s Donny van de Beek will join Eintracht Frankfurt in January on loan. The deal runs until June with a €15m option-to-buy clause included. The Bundesliga club will also pay a loan fee to the Premier League side.
Man United manager Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire are out of the Liverpool match at Anfield on Sunday. Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw are both fit to play.
Erik ten Hag has said when asked if Man United are still backing him amid the club’s bad form. “I feel that and they tell me that,” the United boss said. “That’s fine, that’s ok, but I’m focusing on the process and making this team better, making these individuals better.”
It is only a matter of time before Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Man United deal is announced. Fabrizio Romano has the latest on the takeover here.
Newcastle
What did Eddie Howe’s comments about Chelsea loanee Lewis Hall during his Friday press conference mean? Fabrizio Romano has the details here.
Eddie Howe has confirmed that there is a new injury issue for Harvey Barnes. “It's a setback to a degree. He’s felt pain in his foot again,” the Newcastle boss has said. “Hopefully it’s not a permanent setback and he won’t need an operation. There’s still a chance that might happen.”
Sunderland
Sunderland have reached an agreement with Michael Beale to become their new manager.
Tottenham
Richarlison heads home the winner for Tottenham as Ange Postecoglou’s side defeated Nottingham Forest on Friday night. FT: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Tottenham [Pictures from Sky Sports]
Tottenham scouts were reportedly in attendance to watch Royal Antwerp’s Arthur Vermeeren in Champions League action against Barcelona this week.
Wolfsburg
Maxence Lacroix has decided to change agents and sign with Unique Sports Group. One to watch in 2024.