🚨 Pep signs new City deal, Ronaldo's desire, Reece James' new injury, Pogba's praise for Lamine Yamal and more
Plus all of the other stories making the news in the world of football...
Today's top stories:
Milan talks ongoing for Theo Hernández and Mike Maignan
Manchester United looking for a new left-back for Rúben Amorim
Plus more from Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven & Tottenham Hotspur
AC Milan
Some good news for Milan fans after club technical director, Geoffrey Moncada, updated reporters on new deals for Theo Hernández and Mike Maignan: “We are in talks to extend and it’s going very well. All players are very happy here, they don’t want to leave AC Milan.”
AC Milan have reached an agreement with Matteo Gabbia over a new deal. The contract means that the player will remain with the Rossoneri until June 2029 and on more favourable terms than his previous deal.
Why Milan put trust in Pulisic, Reijnders and ‘anti algorithm’ Morata.
Arsenal
Arsenal in talks to reward star with pay rise if he signs a new contract.
Barcelona
There has been plenty of praise for Lamine Yamal of late, with Paul Pogba telling reporters: “Lamine Yamal is cold. He’s the best young player in the world. Can you imagine if he wins the Champions League this year? He has been killing it, during the Euros and even since the start of this season. He’s ice cold.”
Robert Lewandowski: “The first time I saw Lamine Yamal in training he was 15 years old. I've seen a lot of talent in my life, but never like that: oh my God, it was amazing. How does he do that at that age? I swear it's impossible.”
Celta Vigo star not interested in exacting ‘revenge’ on Barcelona.
Brazil
Brazilian football legend, Ronaldo Nazario, told reporters that he wants to change the face of football in his home country: “For years I have been talking about my idea of being CBF president. That has not changed,” he said. “We’ll wait for the right moment, I am extremely prepared. Brazilian football needs big changes. I am not a candidate, there is no election in sight. It is just my desire.”
Chelsea
Ahead of Chelsea’s fixture against Leicester City, Enzo Maresca had nothing but praise for his former club [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Chelsea defender, Reece James, will be out of action again after suffering a new injury. “Unfortunately Reece felt something small and we don't want to take a risk for this game,” Enzo Maresca said to reporters. “Hopefully it’s not a long-term one. We think it’s short-term one, yes… I know it's not easy, but if every time James gets an injury it becomes harder for him it's, for me, even worse. He has to accept that sometimes things happen even if you want to avoid them, but I hope he can be available for the next game.”
Reece James took to social media after his latest setback:
Enzo Maresca was asked by reporters about Cole Palmer and why he thought Man City were happy to sell him. “Everyone at City, they knew how good Cole was,” he said. “The only problem is they have so many players there. It’s difficult to give all of them minutes.”
Si Phillips discusses how Enzo Maresca is going to outfox the Foxes.
Liverpool
Journalist issues update on Arne Slot’s transfer plans at Liverpool.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola has signed his new deal at Manchester City. The agreement is in place for the Catalan to stay at the club until June 2027. “I have a really special feeling for Man City,” he told club media. “That is why I am so happy to be staying for another two more seasons. I felt I could not leave now. It’s as simple as that. Don’t ask me the reason why. Maybe the four defeats was the reason why. I felt I cannot leave. Thank you to everyone for continuing to trust and support me. Hopefully now we can add more trophies to the ones we have already won.”
One important and interesting detail in Pep Guardiola’s new contract with Manchester City is that it doesn’t contain a break clause in the event that the club should be relegated from the Premier League if they’re found guilty of financial wrongdoing.
What do the other Premier League managers think about Pep Guardiola? [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Ballon d’Or winner, Rodri, was just one Man City player to appear happy by the news that Pep Guardiola was staying: “It’s amazing news to see Pep Guardiola staying at Manchester City,” he said to Spanish media. “It’s great news for all of us and I’m very happy to keep going with Pep.”
Rodri also touched on the furore from the Ballon d’Or gala. “Any calls from Vinicius Jr after the Ballon d’Or? Yes, a Facetime call… (laughs),” he said. “No, nothing. We didn’t speak. No messages from Real Madrid, they did not come to the gala so obviously it’d make no sense to text me after.”
Manchester City battling with Liverpool for ambitious transfer of La Liga star.
Manchester United
Luke Shaw’s injury record is no doubt behind the news that Man United want to sign a new left-back for the system that Rúben Amorim wants to play. The likelihood is that any deal won’t take place until the summer, though if an opportunity arises in January, that hasn’t been ruled out.
Rúben Amorim has been “stunned” by what he’s seen in Manchester United training sessions.
Paris Saint-Germain
As part of a reshuffle at PSG, Milan Skriniar is expected to leave in 2025. He hasn’t had as much action as expected with Luis Enrique telling reporters: “His lack of game time? These kind of things happen in football. Then you can change things in training, as always.”
One player that will be staying at the club is Achraf Hakimi. Agreed since August, he has now signed a new long term deal until June 2029, as planned. The official announcement will follow soon.
PSV Eindhoven
Several clubs have begun to approach the Dutch giants for Ricardo Pepi, and he remains a player of interest for January. His current form has seen him score eight goals in his last 475 minutes of action.
Serie A
The revamp of the Club World Cup in 2025 will see a change to the transfer window in Serie A. It’s been agreed that from June 1 to June 10, 2025, clubs from the Italian top-flight will be able to sign new players.
Tottenham Hotspur
Ange Postecoglou gives his views on Rodrigo Bentancur's seven-match ban for comments he made about his teammate Son Heung-min [pictures from Sky Sports]:
Tottenham are still going to be without Micky van de Ven for a while after Ange Postecoglou told reporters: “Micky is a good couple of weeks away. He is out on the grass and he’s training and we’re hoping that by the middle of December, he’s back and involved and playing.”
Pundit makes intriguing Ange Postecoglou sack claim which will impact one player in particular.