Arsenal left-back Riccardo Calafiori was struggling at the end of the Gunners' Premier League game against Everton last weekend after coming on as a substitute.

Calafiori had played in the previous Champions League fixture but started on the bench for the visit of Everton and was subsequently left out of the squad for Arsenal's Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Fleetwood Town.

The Gunners will play Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday and Calafiori's availability will be one of the big question marks ahead of the game.

Is Riccardo Calafiori available to play for Arsenal against Liverpool?

The Italian full-back had started all seven Premier League matches before being named as a substitute for the Everton game. He came on in the second half at the Emirates Stadium but was unable to get back and defend towards the end.

Explaining the situation before the cup tie at Fleetwood, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: "It was because he had a slight issue, we don't know what it is, it seems to be something very small, but he was cautious about it."

The 24-year-old appeared to be favouring his hip or the side of his body at the end of the Everton match, heading straight down the tunnel at full time to receive treatment on the minor injury.

Despite Arteta's reassurance that it's a small issue, Calafiori is understood to be a doubt for Sunday's meeting with Liverpool and faces a race against time to prove his fitness.

If the injury is as minor as it's believed to be, he could be helped in that regard by the fact that Arsenal and Liverpool will play on Sunday rather than Saturday, in a rare example of a single-match Sunday in the Premier League.

Midfielder Declan Rice and winger Noni Madueke are also being monitored after sitting out the Fleetwood trip in midweek, while Max Dowman's suspension after his red card at Highbury Stadium has added to Arteta's injury concerns.

Fellow wingers Christos Tzolis and Bukayo Saka are both sidelined by injury along with centre-back William Saliba.

Calafiori is sure to be desperate to return to action, not least because of the opportunity to put right a poor record against the Reds.

He missed both home league games against Liverpool in 2024/25 and 2025/26 with injury but featured in both fixtures at Anfield.

Arsenal were beaten there last term with Calafiori in the starting line-up. In May 2025, he came off the bench with 12 minutes remaining in a 2-2 draw on Merseyside.

Chelsea striker Joao Pedro missed the Blues' matches against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool with a thigh injury.

Pedro was unavailable as Chelsea slipped to a 2-0 loss against Spurs at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League last weekend. He was also absent for the midweek trip to Anfield, where Liverpool beat Chelsea on penalties in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Xabi Alonso's Blues play in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League this weekend, welcoming Manchester United and starting the game as firm favourites in light of the Red Devils' chaotic preparations.

Is Joao Pedro available to play for Chelsea against Manchester United?

Alonso revealed before Chelsea's visit to Merseyside that his top striker would be out of action for a 'few weeks' as a result of the injury, which occurred in training. He will not be available to face Man United on Saturday.

"He has an injury to his thigh and he is going to be out for a few weeks," the Chelsea manager told reporters. "Let’s see how many. We don’t want to predict on that, but he is not ready for the next games."

The exact timeline of Pedro's recuperation and return is unknown but he has already missed two matches and Saturday's home fixture against Man United will be the third. Chelsea will then face Sunderland at the Stadium of Light before the November international break.

Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti has not selected Pedro for the Selecao's matches against Japan and Singapore next month, so Chelsea's home game against Leeds United on November 21 could be the likeliest return for the striker.

Blues fans will certainly be hoping so. Pedro has scored five times in his six appearances in the Premier League so far in 2026/27, with three assists thrown in for good measure in a team that scores goals for fun.

Only Arsenal have beaten Chelsea with the Brazilian in the team but Alonso's team have lost both league matches he's missed. Worse still, they were goalless against both Brentford and Spurs in those games.

Veteran striker Danny Welbeck started against Brentford but Alonso opted to go without a natural striker for the shambolic Spurs game. Welbeck came on as a late substitute.

Pedro has consistently justified Chelsea's investment since joining the club in the summer of 2025.

They failed to qualify for Europe at the conclusion of their tumultuous 2025/26 season but the big-money striker scored 15 goals in the Premier League, his best return in England's top division.

Having only hit double figures in the Premier League once before that, he is very much on track to do it again and much more. Alonso and Chelsea will be desperate to get him back.

Tottenham Hotspur defender Pedro Porro has revealed a 'big dream' to return to Spain's La Liga despite signing a new Spurs contract in the summer.

Spurs offered new terms to Porro before he left for the World Cup, where he helped Spain to lift the trophy for the second time in their history. They conceded just one goal in the tournament.

Porro had already committed to a new deal that runs to the summer of 2031 and has the option for another year, but he has spoken about his wish to play in Spain for one of La Liga's top clubs.

'Tottenham probably asked for a lot of money for me'

Porro, who joined Manchester City from Girona and had a loan spell at Valladolid, was interviewed by Cadena Ser and explained that he feels happy and loved at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

"I finalised my renewal before the World Cup to be at ease during the tournament, because that greatly influences performance," said the 27-year-old.

"Afterwards, they gave me a great tribute; I feel very loved, and that’s very important to me. They’ve given me a good contract, although if I had waited until after the World Cup, I would have gotten more.

"There were rumours, but I was focused on doing well for my country. If there’s real interest, they call you directly, and that didn’t happen. There were clubs that enquired about my situation, but there wasn’t any real interest.

"I didn’t want to listen too much. Tottenham probably asked for a lot of money for me because they value me as one of the best."

Like most players of his age, Porro is beginning to cast an eye towards the end of his career and considering where he might like to spend his footballing twilight. Returning to Spain is an obvious choice and he told Cadena Ser that he's keen.

"Obviously, I’d love to return to Spain someday. It’s my country, and I like the league," he said. "Right now, it would be very unfair to talk about anything other than my club because I’m under contract, but obviously, I’d love to go back to Spain; it’s a big dream of mine."

The right-back was sure not to indicate any preference between Real Madrid and Barcelona, smartly keeping his options open for a 'dream' swansong back home.

Porro left Man City to make permanent his long loan spell at Sporting CP without making an appearance for the Premier League club. He joined Spurs three years ago with a Portuguese league title to his name.

He's been a reliable performer in a turbulent period for the North London club. Porro played 90 minutes in the Europa League final in 2025, helping Spurs to a clean sheet and 1-0 win over Manchester United.

England striker Ivan Toney will miss the home-based European Championship in 2028 because his trial for assault will clash with the tournament.

Toney is set to face trial on a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm relating to an incident in London in December 2025. He is accused of punching and headbutting a man in a Soho nightclub.

The Al-Ahli star appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday to plead not guilty. His trial date was set for June 12, 2028, nearly two years away and during the group stage of EURO 2028.

Ivan Toney's trial date has ruled him out of EURO 2028

Toney, 30, has only played for England 10 times, but he was included in the Three Lions squad for the World Cup in 2026. Thomas Tuchel, who revealed at the time of his squad announcement that Toney's inclusion was in part down to his abilities as a penalty specialist, is set to take charge for the European Championship too.

Question marks over Toney's ongoing international prospects while playing in the Saudi Pro League are now a non-issue. The former Brentford frontman will not be included in Tuchel's squad and could even find that Thursday's ruling has effectively ended his international career.

Judge Hehir apologised to Toney for the date, explaining that the court system is too busy for it to be any sooner. According to The Guardian, Toney was released on unconditional bail but instructed to remain in regular contact with his legal team over the next two years.

"When Toney appeared at Westminster magistrates court to enter his plea at the start of October, the court was told by the prosecutor, Tom Heslop, that Toney and [the alleged victim Saber] Da Silva exchanged words that resulted in them 'squaring up' to one another before Toney 'lunged forward and head-butted the complainant, followed by a few punches'," reports Sam Cunningham.

"Da Silva injuries to his nose and fingers, it was alleged. After pleading not guilty, Toney requested that his trial be heard at a crown court.

"Judge Hehir told Toney that the law obliged him to give the footballer a formal warning, as with any defendant on bail awaiting trial, about the consequences of failing to attend court."

Toney left Brentford to join the Saudi Pro League in 2024, becoming one of the first and most high-profile players to make the move with potentially years of top-level football still ahead of them.

The 30-year-old has found goals easy to come by in Saudi Arabia, where he helped fire Al-Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite honours in 2024/25 and 2025/26.

One-time Newcastle United striker Toney played the whole of both finals, notwithstanding a substitution in stoppage time in extra time against Machida Zelvia this year, both under new Magpies manager Matthias Jaissle.

He has not been selected by England since the World Cup.

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is a target for Premier League rivals Everton ahead of the January transfer window, according to report.

Rashford has been in Man United limbo since the deterioration of his relationship with former head coach Ruben Amorim. The 28-year-old joined Aston Villa on loan in January 2025 after Amorim's public criticism of his work ethic, and was then loaned to Barcelona for the entirety of last season.

Amorim was sacked in January and replaced by Michael Carrick, offering some hope of a positive outcome for Rashford at United, but the forward's playing time has again become diminished in recent weeks.

Everton reportedly want Marcus Rashford on loan but a deal could be difficult

Rashford has made just one extremely brief appearance in the Premier League since the extended international break, coming off the bench in the fifth minute of stoppage time against Tottenham Hotspur.

He was an unused substitute against Leeds United and was not included in the squad for last weekend's defeat to Bournemouth because of a poorly timed injury that's not expected to keep him out of contention for much longer.

The England international's situation will have interested clubs on alert, with Everton understood to be keen to take him to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the second half of the Premier League season. United appear to be open to the idea.

"[Rashford] has struggled for form and minutes since returning from his successful loan at Barcelona, prompting the Old Trafford hierarchy to explore opportunities to potentially move him on again this winter and help him regain fitness after injury," reports TEAMtalk.

"However, significant hurdles remain. His substantial wages – including a base salary of around £325,000 per week – would represent a major commitment for a club currently up for sale. Even if United were willing to cover a portion of his wages as part of a loan.

"Rashford’s own preference has long been to continue playing at one of Europe’s biggest sides rather than drop into a mid-table Premier League environment, so whether he’d be willing to join Everton is unclear."

The 28-year-old hasn't been able to recapture his best form but left Villa and Barcelona with positive reviews.

Villa stabilised in the Premier League after Emery turned to the loan market to sign Rashford and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Asensio. They reached the FA Cup semi-final and Champions League quarter-final, with Rashford instrumental in both.

He won La Liga with Barcelona to become a league champion for the first time in his career.

The Man United man made 32 appearances in Spain's top flight in 2025/26, scoring eight goals in the league and another five in the Champions League for Hansi Flick's team.

Vitor Pereira says he's ready to return to the Premier League after leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2025/26 season.

The 58-year-old departed the City Ground in July after steering Forest well clear of relegation and leading them to the semi-finals of the Europa League despite being the club's fourth permanent manager of the season.

Pereira followed Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche in the hottest of hotseats and made a decent fist of it before Oliver Glasner was brought in from top Forest friends Crystal Palace to replace him.

Vitor Pereira is ready to return to Premier League management

The Portuguese was 20 years into his managerial career when he arrived in England to succeed Gary O'Neil in charge of a struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers team. They cruised to safety under their new manager, who quickly connected with the Molineux faithful.

It was a short-lived partnership. Pereira was given a new deal in September 2025 but was sacked in November with Wolves striding unwaveringly along the miserable road back to the Championship. He joined Forest in February and is currently out of work.

"I want to reach a level where I can compete for titles in the Premier League," Pereira told A BOLA TV via Sport Witness.

"Throughout my career, I’ve set goals for myself. I wanted to become a coach, and I did, I wanted to reach the top flight, and I did. I wanted to become a national champion, and I did. Then I wanted to win titles abroad, and I did. I wanted to reach the Premier League, and I did.

"My next objective is to reach a competitive level that allows me to fight for titles in the Premier League."

Pereira's previous jobs took him from Portugal to Saudi Arabia, Greece, Turkey, Germany, China and even Brazil, where he managed two legendary clubs in the form of Corinthians and Flamengo.

His vast and eclectic experience saw him become a league champion in Portugal with Porto, in Greece with Olympiacos, and in China with Shanghai Port.

He was succeeded as Wolves boss by Molineux favourite Rob Edwards, who managed to get his team performing in moments but was ultimately powerless to halt one of the Premier League's bleakest relegations.

The former Welsh international was controversially sacked at the end of last season and replaced with another Portuguese manager as Wolves continued to try to get things right behind the scenes as well as in the dugout.

Peixoto looks a suitable fit for Wolves, whose target is a Premier League return of their own, but getting them playing in the Championship is a very different task than keeping them in the top flight.

Pereira has that on his CV along with plenty of other achievements besides. Whether he can achieve his bullish next target is another matter.

Former Manchester United captain was in line for a shock assignment at Old Trafford before Michael Carrick's second spell as interim head coach, which became permanent in May.

Man United finished third in the Premier League last season to secure a Champions League return thanks to Carrick's ability to harness the strengths of his squad after the sacking of former manager Ruben Amorim.

Carrick was appointed head coach at the end of the season but there were other candidates in the frame at the time of his installation as interim boss and Keane, so often an outspoken critic of the failings at his former club, was reportedly attached to one of the possibilities.

Roy Keane could have rejoined Man United on the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ticket

Darren Fletcher took charge on a caretaker business after Amorim was dismissed, but it was beloved ex-United striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who was Carrick's competition when it came to interviewing for the interim job.

According to Charlie Wyett of The Sun, Solskjaer planned to bring 55-year-old Keane back to Man United with him if he'd been entrusted with the challenge of turning their fortunes around.

"It can now be revealed the Norwegian’s potential choice for his No2 was former United captain Keane," claims Wyett.

"We will never know what would have happened had Solskjaer and Keane been at the helm. But the prospect of the Irishman being back at the club would have been box office."

Solskjaer knows well the road Carrick has followed. The former Molde and Cardiff City manager was handed the reins as caretaker boss at the end of 2018 after the exit of Jose Mourinho. Four months later, the Solskjaer signed a three-year contract.

The Norwegian remained at Old Trafford until November 2021, when his sacking launched Carrick's first temporary spell in charge. Solskjaer took Man United to the final of the Europa League but left after a run of one win in seven matches and with his team outside the European spots.

Solskjaer brought United stalwart Mike Phelan back to Old Trafford as his assistant manager soon after his appointment but it's understood that Keane would have been his right-hand man in 2026.

Keane has management experience at Sunderland and Ipswich Town, and has been a number two at Aston Villa, former club Nottingham Forest and the Republic of Ireland national team.

The seven-time Premier League champion became one of the best midfield players in the world under the guidance of legendary United boss Alex Ferguson, but is now recognisable as a leading football pundit.

He is a notoriously keen analyst of the standards expected of Man United players but will not get his chance to have a direct input on setting them right.

Manchester City full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is heading for the Etihad Stadium exit door and could make the unlikeliest move of all in January, according to reports.

Man City are extremely well-stocked in all departments and are harbouring a number of players who are capable of improving other teams but are unlikely to ever establish themselves with the current Premier League leaders.

Manchester United won't be the destination for many of those players when their time at City comes to an end, but Ait-Nouri's future could take him to Old Trafford in a rare cross-city transfer.

Rayan Ait-Nouri is reportedly 'holding discussions' with Man United

The Algeria defender is a target for several clubs and TEAMtalk journalist Graeme Bailey has reported that Man United are among them. The Red Devils were interested at the end of the last transfer window and a January switch could be on the cards.

"Rayan Ait-Nouri is set to leave Manchester City in January, with intermediaries already holding discussions with a host of clubs, including Manchester United," reports Bailey.

"Ait-Nouri is yet to feature in the Premier League under Enzo Maresca, who has now delivered his verdict on the full-back to City sporting director Hugo Viana.

"We understand that Viana is working on an exit plan, with the club keen to resolve the defender’s future before the January transfer window opens."

25-year-old Ait-Nouri joined Man City from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2025. He signed a five-year contract but has been unable to establish himself at his new club, playing in less than half of City's Premier League matches in 2025/26.

His appearances this season have been limited to the Carabao Cup and the league phase of the Champions League. The left-back played a handful of minutes in wins against Porto and AEK Athens but was an unused substitute when City lost to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Algerian international featured on Wednesday night, when Man City knocked Brighton & Hove Albion out of the Carabao Cup on penalties. He played the full 90 minutes against Norwich City in the previous round.

That's the sum total of Ait-Nouri's involvement this season and it's obvious that a parting of ways is best for the player at this stage of what's still a promising career.

"Lines of communication between the clubs have reopened, with intermediaries working to establish whether a move can be agreed in the New Year," reports Bailey.

"We understand Ait-Nouri would be open to a switch across Manchester, which would make him the first player to move directly from City to United since Owen Hargreaves made the switch in 2011."

Liverpool's interest in 19-year-old Valencia winger David Otorbi could cool after the Spanish club elected to upgrade his contract ahead of schedule, according to reports.

The Reds were understood to be keen to pay Otorbi's €30 million release clause to take him to Anfield, but the young Spaniard's circumstances have changed significantly.

In addition to sustaining an injury that will disrupt his progress on the pitch, Valencia-born Otorbi has had a renewal option in his contract activated early by the club. It's believed the deal, which has not yet been formally announced, includes an increased €60 million release clause.

Valencia have doubled David Otorbi's release clause to deter Liverpool interest

"Valencia CF has responded by exercising the renewal option included in Otorbi's contract," reports Fichajes. "His contract, initially set to run until 2028, has been extended for another three seasons, until June 2031 .

"This modification increases his release clause from €30 million to €60 million. Furthermore, the club has improved the player's salary terms and is considering a future review of his contract.

"The contract extension was initially contingent on Otorbi playing ten matches with a minimum of 45 minutes in each. However, Valencia decided to expedite this process due to interest from England."

Otorbi, a Spanish under-18 international, made his senior debut as far back as August 2024, but has been cautiously integrated into the first team. The 19-year-old didn't play a single minute in La Liga last season but has been given three league starts by head coach Javier Aguirre in 2026/27.

He scored his first La Liga goal against Racing Santander in a 2-2 draw earlier this month but was withdrawn through injury within 15 minutes of kick-off in Saturday's loss to Villarreal.

"The player will focus on his recovery while Valencia finalises the official announcement of his new contract," according to Fichajes.

"Looking ahead to the January 2027 transfer window, the next move will depend on whether English clubs are willing to negotiate for less than €60 million or ultimately rule out signing David Otorbi."

Liverpool in particular are unlikely to be inclined to break the bank, having signed 23-year-old Victor Munoz and 24-year-old Bradley Barcola during the summer transfer window.

Cody Gakpo is enjoying a positive start to the season and can operate to varying degrees in different attacking positions, while the need to keep a path to more regular football open for Rio Ngumoha, 18, becomes more and more obvious every time he plays.

The Reds will have a chance to close the gap on second-placed Arsenal to just three points when they meet in Sunday's only fixture in the Premier League.

Arsenal are looking to a bargain move for a new midfielder – with could spell the end for Martin Zubimendi at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners beat a whole host of European giants to the signing of the Basque controller in midfield, who enjoyed a fantastic start to his first season in English football, before losing his place in the Arsenal midfield to Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Hale End graduate played in the run-in, as the Premier League title came back to North London for the first time in 22 years – and Zubimendi hasn't reassumed his place next to Declan Rice since.

Martin Zubimendi could be

The signing of Bruno Guimaraes has pushed Zubimendi down to fourth in the pecking order in the midfield, as the World Cup winner made his first start of the season in the engine room in a Fourth Round Carabao Cup defeat to Fleetwood Town midweek.

Zubimendi looked a frustrated figure in Munich last week, too – and even Mikel Merino started in the middle of the park against Everton at the weekend, with his compatriot limited to a late cameo in which his broke his nose.

Now, Sport Witness have relayed reports from ESPN Brasil that the Gunners are in for one of the “greatest talents and rising stars” of Brazilian football in midfield.

17-year-old Cruzeiro youngster Eduardo Pape has been compared to Rodri, with the South American outfit fishing for a record sale for the young midfielder – who could be groomed to replace Guimaraes for club and country.

Intriguingly, Guimaraes' former club Newcastle United are also interested in the starlet, with Cruzeiro's director of youth development, Adilson Batista, telling UmDois Esportes about his assessment.

“He’s intelligent; he anticipates plays. He’s clear-headed and facilitates the entire build-up,” Batista explained.

“He reminds me of Rodri and Falcao, players who really know how to play. He’s been impressing me; I like him a lot. I see a very bright future for his career. He’s a simple, humble, hardworking, and responsible young man.”

With manager Mikel Arteta having recently extended his contract until 2029, the Gunners boss may well have an eye on the future as to how to rejuvenate his midfield.

A move for Pape, however, will have to wait until the star turns 18, either way.

Arsenal travel to Liverpool this weekend as Premier League action continues.

Manchester United defender Leny Yoro is reportedly a priority transfer target for Serie A giants AC Milan.

Man United's defensive options have been criticised after heavy defeats against Como in the Champions League and Bournemouth in the Premier League, with former Red Devils right-back Gary Neville pointing out that Yoro playing at right-back is evidence of negligence in the transfer market.

Yoro made a big mistake that led directly to United conceding a goal in the home loss against Bournemouth, thrusting the patchwork nature of their defence back under the microscope, but the Rossoneri could be set to offer him a fresh opportunity.

Ruben Amorim reportedly wants a Leny Yoro reunion at San Siro

Calcio Mercato reports that Milan's recruitment officials are planning a defensive rebuild in the January transfer window, with a central defender prioritised. Milan have some inexperienced options at the back, but injuries to Matteo Gabbia and Mario Gila have left Amorim with limited flexibility.

Roma's Daniele Ghilardi, Lecce's Thiago Gabriel and Goncalo Inacio of Sporting CP are also under consideration for January, but the longer-term plan is understood to include Yoro too.

"A player AC Milan are particularly interested in for next season is the talented 2005-born French defender Yoro from Manchester United," reports Calcio Mercato.

"The Rossoneri are hoping for the work of his agent, [Jorge] Mendes, to help them finalise a deal this summer. The deal is expected to cost between €40 and €50 million."

20-year-old Yoro joined the Red Devils from Lille in the summer of 2024, when they paid a reported initial fee of around £52 million, but had to wait for his competitive debut after suffering a foot injury in pre-season.

By the time he made his first competitive appearance for United in December, both manager Erik ten Hag and caretaker manager Ruud van Nistelrooy had left Old Trafford. Amorim was appointed in November, integrated Yoro, and oversaw his most settled spell in a United shirt.

Yoro has started three times in the Premier League under Michael Carrick this season, all of them at right-back, and his cause hasn't been helped by his presence in the Red Devils' 3-2 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup or his red card in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

Carrick has selected Harry Maguire in every starting line-up in the Premier League this season, with Lisandro Martinez also starting regularly before his criticism of technical director Jason Wilcox.

Yoro's opportunities at centre-back have been limited in 2026/27 and his suitability on the right is not ideal.

As his stock deteriorates in what is a troubled environment in general, it's not hard to imagine that Mendes and Yoro, who played more than 50 times for Amorim at United, would see the potential benefits of a move.

Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany has been discharged from hospital after collapsing at the club's training ground on Friday.

Kompany was taken to hospital but reports in Germany claim that doctors ruled out a heart attack or stroke before sending him home to recuperate. He is not expected to return to the Bayern dugout for some weeks.

The Belgian is believed to have experienced seizures during the incident, with medical professionals subsequently looking into meningeal irritation as the cause.

Vincent Kompany dislocated his shoulder in training ground collapse

Meningeal irritation is an inflammation of the meninges, the layers of a protective membrane covering the brain and spinal cord. Kompany had reportedly missed some training sessions because of a virus.

German newspaper BILD reported that the 40-year-old dislocated a shoulder when he collapsed, and his job will be covered by assistant Aaron Danks, who previously reassured fans that he is 'getting better every day' while Kompany recovers.

Bayern director Max Eberl gave an update on Kompany's condition on Wednesday, confirming that the head coach is back at home and on the mend.

"Given the circumstances, he's doing well," Eberl told ARD. "He was discharged from the hospital today. That is the biggest and best news for all of us. It's a meningeal irritation that caused this incident on Friday. He will now rest and take medication

"I am very confident that he will be back on the touchline, operating at 100% very soon."

It's been an eventful period for Bayern. They drew with Arsenal in their third league phase match in the Champions League two days before the former Manchester City defend was taken ill. On Sunday, they beat Freiburg 3-1 to stay top of Germany's Bundesliga.

The league champions then had a midweek DFB-Pokal tie against Magdeburg, winning 6-1 to continue their cup defence without Kompany and Harry Kane, who remained on the bench after winning the Ballon d'Or on Monday night.

Kompany is chasing a third consecutive Bundesliga title, having led Bayern back to the top in 2024/25 and again, as part of the double, last season. He was appointed after a spell in charge of Burnley, who were promoted from the Championship and then relegated from the Premier League on his watch.

Bayern will be without their head coach for their biggest Bundesliga fixture of the season so far when they take on Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Bayern and Dortmund are both unbeaten and level on points at the top of the division.

Arsenal are targeting Eli Junior Kroupi to strengthen their attack, with Bournemouth having made a decision on the striker's future.

The Gunners sold three attacking players in the summer in the form of Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, but only signed Christos Tzolis as a replacement.

Kroupi missed the start of the season with a foot injury – and with Arsenal lacking firepower up front, Bournemouth could well face interest in the January transfer window.

Bournemouth looking to block Eli Junior Kroupi to Arsenal

Kroupi scored 13 goals in 33 games in his first season in English football – the most a teenager has ever netted in a season in the Premier League – as the Cherries achieved a record position in the table of sixth.

The Frenchman's 13th goal even made him an Arsenal cult hero, as it came against Manchester City to secure a first title for the North Londoners in 22 years.

While Bournemouth have endured a tough start to the season, however, TEAMtalk sources are reporting that Bournemouth are adamant that they won't be selling Kroupi midseason.

Last season's push for Europe could have been derailed by the January sale of Antoine Semenyo to City, with the seasiders powerless to prevent the Ghanaian winger from leaving Dean Court for Eastlands, due to a release clause in his contract.

The Guardian have reported that Kroupi has a release clause of £87 million in his contract – though the Premier League champions would likely look to negotiate that down, should they firm their interest.

Kai Havertz has led the line for Arsenal for much of the season with Viktor Gyokeres playing more of a backup role for manager Mikel Arteta – but with neither player particularly impressing in recent weeks, there have been calls from fans to strengthen in the winter market.

Tzolis's recent injury on international duty with Greece has complicated matters in the front three, as Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze have both looked to step into that role – while Bukayo Saka has also picked up an injury lately.

Arsenal could well use Kroupi from the left flank, should they make the move, though FourFourTwo understands that they face heavy competition from the likes of Manchester United for the 20-year-old's signature.

Kroupi is valued at £70 million by Transfermarkt. Arsenal travel to Liverpool this weekend as Premier League action continues.

The new Football Manager game will be available to try for free from Thursday. The preview version will be playable in every game mode, meaning players can check out all the new features before making a decision on a longer-term commitment to football's most immersive franchise.

FM27 has a ton of updates, many of them laser-focused on enabling the most detailed-orientated virtual gaffers to bring their tactical understanding from the real world into the game and get results by applying it.

Before the free preview launches, FourFourTwo spoke to Sports Interactive and Football Manager developer Antony Farley about the new tactical effectiveness and training features, and a streamlined 'tactical tweaks' suite that should appeal to masters of game management.

'There are some really fun options' in FM27's tactical tweaks features

"We've introduced something called tactical tweaks, which is the ability to set multiple team instructions at once, but from the touchline rather than having to go through those complex tactics, menus, and navigate those menus and make your kind of decisions individually," Farley tells FourFourTwo.

"What we've done is given an option – it's a dropdown on the screen – that just says to play with more urgency, for example. And you press that, and what it will do is under the hood, it will set two or three different team instructions that give you that outcome.

"The benefit of that is that you kind of feel a lot more active in the match and when you hover over those tweaks, it'll tell you explicitly what is happening when you press the button. That’s a really nice way of kind of almost translating the complex tactical instructions into something, maybe a little bit more digestible."

Football Manager has become the standard bearer for the video games industry's pursuit of realistic simulation, but the fact that making the game truly real is impossible does mean that it has to be fun to play.

Striking a balance between the two is a challenge. Giving players immediate access to tactical options that are born of the real world but equip them to experiment and take a gamble or two is the natural result.

"There are some really fun options there as well: we've just got a button now to send your goalkeeper up for set pieces," Farley continues. "Like, that is going to be a very tempting button for people to press: quite high risk, high reward, theoretically, but that's, that's one that I'm really excited about seeing.

"It's one of those things that feels like it's been there forever once you get used to it: you kind of get that muscle memory to go over there and make some tweaks."

That acknowledgement that there are different stripes of Football Manager player and that some want control in depth while others prefer to rattle through fixtures underpins several of the new game's updates.

It's also the reason behind the full free trial, which gives prospective purchasers of the game a meaningful chance to explore FM27 warts and all over several days before deciding whether they want to throw countless hours into it.

Farley told FourFourTwo that the team realises not everyone will be suited to the FM27 experience. The trial is designed to enable people to make an informed choice without any proof of purchase.

Manchester United have bigger problems to solve than getting ahead of the game when it comes to identifying an upgrade on striker Benjamin Sesko.

Winning their next match will be high on the Man United agenda, certainly. Deciding whether their captain should be allowed to play will be top-of-mind. Praying that head coach Michael Carrick can justify the patience of the higher-ups will take up some time too.

Nevertheless, goals are goals and the Red Devils are scoring too few as well as conceding too many. One of Europe's most in-form frontmen has been tipped as an unlikely candidate to put that right.

Victor Osimhen 'has the profile' to inspire Man United revival

Galatasaray's Nigerian international striker, Victor Osimhen, is on a goalscoring tear. The 27-year-old has scored nine goals in his last nine matches in all competitions for the Istanbul giants, including both in their derby win over Fenerbahce on Monday night.

He's scored eight league goals in fewer than 500 minutes. In Europe's top five leagues, only Barcelona's Raphinha is more prolific per 90 minutes in league football this season.

According to former Liverpool and Queens Park Rangers centre-forward Djibril Cisse, Man United should have Osimhen at the top of their transfer window shopping list.

"Victor Osimhen has the profile to play in England," the former French international told Mr Gamble. "I think Manchester United could suit him, and I believe there was already some interest at the start of the year or last year.

"He loves the Premier League. He’s unpredictable, he scores goals, he’s complete, he has the profile for English football, and I think that’s what United are missing right now."

Sesko might disagree. At 23 years old and with a considerable scoring record before his own move to Old Trafford, the Slovenian striker has struggled to stay injury-free and leave the desired impression.

'Profile' isn't really what's missing for Sesko and United's goals have been coming from Bryan Mbeumo, whose Premier League suitability is beyond doubt. Osimhen or any other striker following in the footsteps of Sesko, Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund would need genuine steel to rise above the circumstances.

Osimhen joined Galatasaray from Napoli last year after spending the 2024/25 season on loan at the Istanbul club. The masked man's relationship with Napoli deteriorated in the months after the club posted a video on TikTok that was interpreted as racially offensive.

There was significant interest in signing him from Napoli in the summer of 2024 but his options gradually fell away as teams turned their attentions elsewhere.

Galatasaray was seen as a premature sidestep out of the spotlight but Osimhen has thrived in Turkey's Super Lig, which he has won twice to add to his Serie A title in Naples.

Manchester United are working to clear the air before embarking on a difficult run of fixtures in the Premier League and Champions League, according to a report.

Michael Carrick has been under pressure after a sequence of disappointing results but it emerged on Tuesday that the head coach will have an opportunity to turn Man United's fortunes around.

Carrick avoiding the sack means that there are dressing room situations to resolve, not least with United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Man United 'players and staff' met for talks after a frantic fortnight of chaos

Fernandes was an unused substitute in the Red Devils' Premier League loss to Bournemouth on Sunday after he criticised Carrick's tactics in last week's defeat against Como in the Champions League.

The captain was criticised by a series of former players and received a frosty response at Old Trafford, where Carrick was offered the respect, if not the endorsement, of the United support.

"Sources say Carrick held a meeting of players and staff – not directors – to clear the air at Carrington and attempt to get people on the same page," report Laurie Whitwell and Chris McKenna for The Athletic.

"The idea was to galvanise everyone to the common cause of winning matches, whatever grievances they might have. The summit was said to be productive, but of course the proof will be seen on the pitch at Chelsea on Saturday."

United's fixture list is sure to provide a true test of their mettle with Carrick in charge. After their next Premier League match against the Blues, they will meet Roma, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Sporting CP and Brentford before the end of November.

The decision to leave Carrick in the dugout for that run was met with surprise this week. Man United have won two of their 12 matches in all competitions this season, a far cry from the positive form that saw his interim role commuted to the job proper in May.

"Carrick has his own decision on Fernandes: whether to back him or bench him. Those who know both men feel they will address the matter head-on," according to The Athletic.

"Sources say the mood as things stand is that a line will be drawn after Carrick dropped his captain on Sunday, which would make Fernandes available to start the trip to Stamford Bridge."

The United skipper was sidelined on Sunday as United slumped to their second three-goal defeat in a matter of days. They have now played eight matches without a win since beating Sabah in the Champions League at Old Trafford in December.

Yet to win away from home this season, the Red Devils have slipped back into the bottom five in the Premier League, face a tough challenge to avoid a play-off in the Champions League, and were knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the first time of asking despite leading against Brighton.

The new Football Manager game is here and players everywhere are eagerly awaiting their next foray into the thrills of the virtual transfer market.

FM27 has some powerful new tactical and training features but millions of fans around the world play Football Manager to get stuck into transfers and discover the latest cult signings to give their teams a boost.

Prior to Thursday's launch of the full free preview of the new edition, FourFourTwo caught up with Sports Interactive developer Antony Farley to talk transfers.

Ajax academy 'always good' for Football Manager wonderkids

The developer prefers to keep his cards close to his chest when it comes to naming names but one young player in particular was identified as a possible candidate to be the next FM wonderkid.

"There's a kid at Ajax, a 17-year-old left winger, Abdellah Ouazane, who looks like he's going to be a very strong player this year," Farley tells FourFourTwo.

"Those absolute gems playing somewhere a little bit more far-flung are a lot harder to find, anecdotally. But certainly, at the Ajax Academy, there are always good players coming through. The fun of discovery is part of it, so I don't want to ruin too many surprises.

"I don't know that we've got to worry about the future of wonderkids already being at the top teams because we're a simulation. Ultimately, our job is to simulate the real football world: what the real football world does, FM does, and very often we're maybe influencing the real football world in some sense when it comes to wonderkids.

The Football Manager wonderkid has become a beloved phenomenon. Cherno Samba, Carlo Fierro, Kim Kallstrom and Ibrahima Bakayoko are names that will trigger memories for hordes of virtual gaffers.

Farley also likes to find other games within the game, painting himself into corners to help unleash the creative artillery of constraint.

"I don't think the wonderkid appeal will ever go away; that's always an extremely exciting part of the game," he adds. "But I really like the self-imposed constraints you can put on yourself in FM at times. I've got a rule for myself that I won't sign a player with a work rate under 15, for example.

"That very often starts me looking in the Championship for gems who are going to run through walls for me: players who might not have the technical ability of that elite level, but have the mentality bang on.

"That's where I'm going to put my effort into getting them up to that elite level. It just introduces new choices, rather than us being too concerned about the removal of existing ones."

FM27 will be launched as a free preview on PC, Mac, Steam and Xbox from October 29 to November 3. Every game mode will be playable, offering players a chance to make an informed purchase decision.

Erling Haaland is planning his next transfer move and has put La Liga titans Real Madrid and Barcelona on alert, according to reporting in Spain.

Haaland is committed to Manchester City until 2034 after signing a blockbuster new contract early last year but is sure to be a target for any club that gets a realistic sniff of signing him in the meantime.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are no exception to that rather obvious fact, and a transfer reporter has claimed that the Norwegian striker wants to head for Spain when his time in the Premier League comes to and end.

Erling Haaland 'undecided' between Real Madrid and Barcelona

"According to journalist Matteo Moretto, the striker plans to make the move to Spanish football in the future, although he has not yet chosen a team nor is there a set date for his departure," reports Fichajes.

"Moretto revealed during MARCA's 'Los 100' special that Erling Haaland considers the Spanish championship the next step in his career."

Haaland's contract and commitment to Man City do not paint the full picture. City were found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League rules and are awaiting both the outcome of their appeal and confirmation of the potentially catastrophic punishment heading their way.

Football is a short career and City players, Haaland included, are sure to be reviewing their options if multiple seasons outside the Premier League became definite or likely as a result of the charges.

Most of them wouldn't be short of lusty suitors if the Man City situation were to evolve into a fire sale of their expensively assembled squad of top talents and household names.

"[Premier League] regulations stipulate that fines, point deductions, and other sporting measures could be among the consequences," reports Fichajes.

"A sanction that significantly impacts the team's competitive standing could alter the plans of some players. In Haaland's case, any departure would still depend on the financial terms demanded by his current club."

Haaland is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world. He has scored 121 goals in just 140 Premier League appearances and helped Pep Guardiola's City team to their last two Premier League titles and a historic treble.

Having fired Man City to a Champions Legue win in 2022/23, Haaland came second in the Ballon d'Or voting behind Lionel Messi. England's Harry Kane went one better in 2026 and the pair, along with Kylian Mbappe, are widely considered to be the world's most lethal marksmen.

Whether Haaland's departure is expedited by sanctions or forms part of his twilight adventure many years from now, he can be sure the top teams in his preferred league will be on the phone.

The new edition of the legendary Football Manager series packs a powerful new tactical effectiveness system that will really put top players through their paces and offers big reward for taking a successful risk.

FM27 will be available to try before you buy from Thursday, including the tactical effectiveness features that will govern the complexity of tactical innovations that can be trained into squads and the individual players within.

Prior to the launch of the free preview, FourFourTwo spoke to Sports Interactive and Football Manager developer Antony Farley about the new system.

'It's a measure of how well your players understand what you're asking them to do'

"It is quite a deep system, I would say, and one that the real hardcore – the people who really engage, think about FM, and leave no stone unturned – are going to have a lot of fun with," Farley tells FourFourTwo.

"To be really simple about it, it's a measure of how well your players understand what you're asking them to do and how well they're able to execute it.

"There are a lot of gauges in the experience to measure your progress in these areas. The two really important gauges we've added to your tactic give you a sense of its intensity (how physically demanding it is) and its complexity (more how mentally demanding it is). Then, a new gauge shows how effective you are at that tactic overall.

"Training has been reworked to be a little bit more about match preparation and working towards winning football matches. You'll see that breakdown of tactical effectiveness, and you may see that our pressing intensity is something we're a bit behind on at the moment: something the players aren't necessarily clicking with.

"You can then go in and cater your training sessions to work on that specifically, hopefully building their understanding of what you're asking them to do and becoming more effective at it."

Such detail isn't going to be for every FM27 player, but those who love to get down and dirty with the details should find that the time they invest in preparing their teams tactically can be time well spent.

"This is about risk-reward and new choices," says Farley.

"You might want to go into a club and ask them to do something really simple and straightforward, and you're probably going to get those players performing that tactic quite quickly, depending on the squad available to you.

"But it may be that that tactic has a bit of a ceiling to it: it's only going to be so good. Whereas you might go in and say, 'I've got something really complicated that I'm asking my team to do here.' It's going to take a while for your players to get up to speed with that.

"That's the balance of risk-reward and those new choices."

FM27 will be available to play as a free preview from October 29 to November 3. All game modes will be available within the preview, which can be accessed without proof of purchase for PC, Mac, Steam and Xbox.

A non-league football club in Scotland is set to field two teams at the same time after a failure to resolve a fixture clash.

Renfrewshire side Johnstone Burgh were promoted to the the Lowland League West last season and now compete with illustrious names like Clydebank, Gretna and Albion Rovers, as well as a Celtic B team.

Johnstone, who count Frank McAvennie among their former players, are holding their own in mid-table in the fifth tier but face a near-insurmountable challenge because of the scheduling of two of their cup ties.

Johnstone Burgh will play two matches at the same time

The Burgh are competing in the Scottish Communities Cup and the Lowland League Cup this autumn and both of their fixtures are slated for Saturday, November 21.

They are scheduled to play Tayport in the Communities Cup and Dunipace in the League Cup, both away from home, and in a bizarre turn of events that's exactly what's going to happen.

"We have explored every possible option to find a suitable solution that would allow us to play the tie outwith a Saturday afternoon as our schedule is already full," Johnstone said in a club statement as reported by the Daily Record.

"This has included attempting to rearrange league fixtures and South Challenge Cup ties, travelling to Tayport midweek, playing Tayport on a Friday night or Sunday afternoon, and, most recently, offering to play the Communities Cup tie immediately before or after our upcoming Lowland League Cup fixture.

"In addition, we offered to forfeit our share of the gate money to help cover any inconvenience caused by rearranging the fixture.

"Despite exhausting every option available to us, we have been unable to reach a solution that allows us to play outwith a Saturday afternoon.

"Regrettably, we now find ourselves in a position where our Communities Cup tie and Lowland League Cup tie must be played on the same day, at the same time, on Saturday 21st November."

Burgh manager Stevie Farrell, a former St Mirren and Stenhousemuir defender with a couple of Second Division matches in England to his name, will be required to split his squad.

One Johnstone team will make the long trip to the east coast to take on Tayport while another heads to Stirlingshire for their Lowland League Cup tie on the same afternoon.

The first round ushers in a new era for the competition after the league's expansion to form two geographical divisions, responsible for Johnstone's promotion in sixth place last term.

Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman received a red card against Fleetwood Town – and an apparent earful from manager Mikel Arteta.

The 16-year-old was sent off after retaliating to a hefty challenge towards the end of the Carabao Cup tie, in what was widely condemned by pundits and on social media as a very harsh decision from referee Michael Salisbury.

In leaving the pitch, Dowman was approached by Arteta, who appeared to say something to the Arsenal youngster as he trudged down the tunnel.

Arsenal defeat clouded by Mikel Arteta reaction to Max Dowman

Speaking after the game, Arteta told his post-match press conference that he hadn't had a chance to rewatch the incident – but refused to blame the officiating for his side's exit from the Fourth Round of the competition.

“I haven’t seen it back, and with the camera you can’t really see what happens,” the Basque boss said.

“The decision was made by the referee, and that’s it. Even with 10 men, we had three big chances to score.”

When asked what he said to the teenager, Arteta replied, “It’s something that we discussed before the game,” but refused to go into further detail – though did say just before that “we’re very clear on what to expect” from Fleetwood and “emotionally, we have to dominate”.

“We’re not going to discuss that here and now,” he said, when asked about prior conversations with Dowman about being fouled regularly.

This is the second dismissal that the winger has had this month, after getting sent off for England's under-19s recently following a reckless challenge after being targeted.

“This didn’t look good to me at all,” former Gunner and pundit Paul Merson said on Sky Sports following the incident at Highbury.

“If that’s [Viktor] Gyokeres, who’s an experienced international, [Arteta] isn’t doing that – but he does that to a 16-year-old kid?”

The red card leaves Dowman with a likely one-game ban for the weekend's trip to Anfield, leaving Arsenal with a selection crisis at right-wing.

Bukayo Saka is facing a two-month layoff after a muscle injury picked up against Bayern Munich, with Noni Madueke left out of last night's cup trip after a knock himself.

Arsenal comfortably won their Premier League fixture at home against Everton on Saturday but exited the Carabao Cup in shambolic fashion on Tuesday evening.

The Gunners needed an equaliser from Viktor Gyokeres to take League Two side Fleetwood Town to penalties in their fourth round tie, losing 5-3 on spot kicks after Bruno Guimaraes failed to score.

Teenager Max Dowman was sent off for retaliating to a poor challenge and appeared to be scolded by manager Mikel Arteta as he left the field and headed down the tunnel.

Arsenal injury update ahead of Premier League clash with Liverpool

Dowman's suspension means he will join fellow wide players Bukayo Saka and potentially Christos Tzolis on the sidelines when Arsenal take on Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend.

Both players missed Tuesday's trip to the Fylde coast along with three others, whose absence at Highbury Stadium wasn't necessarily planned.

Arteta's wide options were further limited without England winger Noni Madueke, while midfielder Declan Rice and full-back Riccardo Calafiori both also missed the Fleetwood game.

The Arsenal boss told reporters after Arsenal's exit from the Carabao Cup that Rice, who played against Everton on Saturday and trained on Monday, was unavailable because of a minor injury.

According to The Standard, Rice should be fit and available to face Liverpool but a further update is expected from his manager when he meets the media again for his pre-match press conference.

"Madueke was not spotted in training on Monday and Arteta has revealed the winger picked up an ankle issue against Everton which prevented him from making the trip to Fleetwood," reports The Standard.

"As Arsenal have key injuries in wide areas and now Dowman’s suspension has been added to the mix, supporters will be desperate for a positive update on Madueke before the Liverpool game."

Meanwhile, Calafiori featured in the Champions League prior to Arsenal's league fixture against Everton but was not named in the starting line-up against the Toffees and didn't feature in the Fleetwood match.

The Italian left-back was evidently struggling with a knock at the end of the Everton game after coming off the bench, but Arteta revealed afterwards that any injury was 'slight'.

Arsenal will hope Calafiori is available on Sunday, when they and Liverpool play the second part of the weekend's top-four bonanza after Saturday's match between third-placed Brighton and leaders Manchester City.

The new edition of the legendary Football Manager game franchise will be unleashed on the world this week and FourFourTwo has been kept informed about what to expect.

FM27 will launch as a free preview at 6:00pm on Thursday, October 29, enabling prospective players to try before they buy on PC or Mac with no proof of purchase required.

Prior to the release of the new game and its free preview, Sports Interactive developer Antony Farley has revealed his best piece of advice for rookie Football Manager players looking to dip a toe into the vast waters of management simulation.

'Patience is a big part of it' for new FM27 players

"When it comes to new players, players who may be curious about FM but haven't given it a go before… advice I always give to new players is patience is a big part of it!" Farley tells FourFourTwo.

"FM is a game where the appeal reveals itself the more you spend time with it. You’re creating your own world, you're living out your own alternative reality, and very often the kind of hook be a moment that comes you eight, nine or 10 matches into a season – maybe that second transfer window.

"So spend time with it, be patient with it, and particularly for new players, I always recommend they make use of our delegation features. We’ve got a little bit more front and centre this year in the new user experience. It's the ability to kind of directly delegate to your staff members some of the key areas of responsibility.

"If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, then you've got a backroom team that can help you out and take care of contract negotiations, training or what-have-you. You can have experience that you want to have!"

FM27 has a little something for everyone, from newcomers to obsessive Football Manager veterans who want total control over every aspect of their play.

Sports Interactive took the unusual decision to offer it all in a free-to-play preview, which will also be available via Steam and Xbox Game Pass. The trial will make every game mode playable, meaning players can take the whole thing for a spin.

Farley says that the trial is designed to give players a true and candid experience of the new game, and a chance to make an informed choice.

"Ultimately, we've done this free period so people can kind of try before they buy and make their own judgment call, on whether or not they want to commit to a purchase of FM27," he explains to FourFourTwo.

"That goes for new players to the game, people that maybe are still playing FM26, people that might still be playing FM24, our previous title, and we want to give people the opportunity to really get their hands on for quite a significant period, to make the decision as to whether or not it's resonating with them and whether they want to continue with it."

The FM27 trial period will end on Tuesday, November 3.

2026 Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane made light work of his competition as a young player at Tottenham Hotspur, a former teammate at the North London club has admitted.

Spurs legend Kane scored 213 goals for the club in the Premier League, leaving in 2023 as the league's second-highest goalscorer. His move to Bayern Munich laid the foundations for back-to-back Bundesliga titles, to 61 goals in 51 matches in 2025/26 and, ultimately, to the Ballon d'Or.

Kane played for Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City before establishing himself as an all-time Spurs great and England great.

'He overtook us like a rocket'

According to Spanish striker Roberto Soldado, who played for Spurs between 2013 and 2015 just as Kane was emerging from his proving expedition around other clubs, the signs were there from the start.

Soldado told Deportes COPE Valencia via Sport Witness: "He’d come up to train with us, and in training you’d see him finish and you’d say, 'Damn, this kid.’

"We played in the Premier League, the Europa League, and the FA Cup and Carling Cup. The kid would come on, get minutes, and score goals, and score goals, and score goals.

"It crushed me, it crushed me. He kept earning more and more minutes in every competition, and well, he overtook us, like a rocket.

"Those of you who knew he was something special weren’t wrong, because look, even now, and it’s been quite a while, he’s still a world-class striker."

Soldado, now 41, is as good a judge as any. The Valencia-born frontman was seldom truly prolific but offered enough presence to build an impressive career that took him from Real Madrid, Getafe and Valencia to Spurs, and on to Villarreal, Fenerbahce, Granada and Levante.

He scored more than 200 league goals in his career and scored seven times in 12 appearances for the Spanish national team, albeit in a period spanning six years. Soldado had stiff competition at international level too.

Kane was voted the best footballer in the world and collected the Ballon d'Or trophy at the end of a glittering ceremony on Monday night.

The 33-year-old England captain scored six times on the way to the World Cup semi-finals, adding some international credibility to a phenomenal season in front of goal for Bayern.

Since leaving Spurs, Kane has scored 156 times in 159 appearances in all competitions and has won Germany's Bundesliga twice. Bayern also won the DFB-Pokal last season. Kane scored all three goals in the final against Stuttgart in May.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and manager Jose Mourinho have turned their attentions to the Premier League in the hunt for a marquee midfield signing, according to reports.

Los Blancos closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona with a 2-1 El Clasico win on Sunday, but they have not won the title or Champions League since 2023/24. That's only a couple of years for any other club, but Real Madrid seldom suffer droughts without a throaty reaction in the transfer market.

Perez is a man of big promises and Liverpool could be the next club who can expect to have to resist Real Madrid's overtures for one of their most important players.

Real Madrid reportedly want Alexis Mac Allister to bolster their midfield

According to reports in Spain, Perez and Mourinho have 'once again' identified Reds midfielder Alexis Mac Allister as their top target for the summer of 2027. The Argentinian international's contract status is a factor in their temptation.

"Perez wants to take advantage of the fact that the player has yet to renew his contract to try and convince him to join in January 2027, although his contract expires in June 2028 and any early signing would require negotiating a transfer fee," reports Fichajes.

"The Argentine has rediscovered his form since Andoni Iraola took over at Anfield, but his contract situation remains uncertain. The English club has yet to initiate talks to extend his contract, a circumstance that Real Madrid could capitalise on.

"Mourinho would welcome the addition of a player capable of winning back possession and contributing to the team's attacking play.

"His profile fits the need for a midfielder who provides balance without sacrificing creativity. Mac Allister can play in front of the defence, press opposing midfielders, and link up with attackers through through balls."

Mac Allister, a World Cup winner, signed for Liverpool from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023 and added the Premier League title to his personal honours list under Arne Slot in his second season at Anfield.

Now 27, the midfielder joined the Seagulls from Argentinos Juniors in 2019 and starred in the Premier League after loan spells with both his former club and Boca Juniors between 2019 and 2020.

Liverpool parted with an eventual fee in the region of £55 million to take him to Merseyside and he has lived up to his promise, albeit without being a perfect tactical fit at times under both Slot and his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.

Mac Allister signed a five-year contract when he moved to Anfield and is now in the last two years of that deal, alerting potential suitors to the opportunity to test Liverpool's need to bring in a transfer fee if and when he leaves.

The looming interest from Spain could play a part in any contract negotiations that do take place, but Real Madrid can expect to spend big if they want to make their move before Mac Allister's deal runs out.

Liverpool should be open to a shock return for former right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to Reds legend Jamie Carragher.

Alexander-Arnold moved to Real Madrid on a free transfer after winning the Premier League under Arne Slot in 2024/25, ending a lengthy contract saga in a way that many Liverpool supporters were less than thrilled about.

After spending 20 years on Liverpool's books, the England full-back headed off to La Liga with some fairly fruity criticism ringing in his ears. He is reportedly reluctant to entertain a return to Anfield but his status at the Bernabeu could tempt him into a move.

Alexander-Arnold has dropped down the Real Madrid pecking order under Jose Mourinho

Returning Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has turned to other options at right-back in recent weeks, leaving Alexander-Arnold in the cold and sparking speculation about what would be a shocking and divisive return to Merseyside.

"I’d have him back anyway," Carragher revealed on The Overlap in association with Sky Bet. "I think he made a mistake, I do. I think he made a big mistake."

Carragher is broadly in favour but it's difficult to imagine Alexander-Arnold being warmly welcomed back to Anfield. The Sky Sports pundit suggested that bygones should be bygones in the case of a player who would serve a purpose.

"If something benefits Liverpool Football Club going forward… and we do have, when you think of the problems Liverpool have in terms of the right-back. Ronnie [Ronald Araujo] has been fantastic... but we do have a problem in terms of full-backs passing," said Carragher.

"At the moment, he’s actually third choice right-back for Real Madrid. They’re playing a midfield player at right-back, so even [on Sunday] night in El Clasico, Denzel Dumfries, the first-choice right-back, if you like, comes on as a sub.

"So when you’re third choice at a club, they’re obviously wanting you to… move on."

Alexander-Arnold was a beloved figure at Anfield for years. As a proud Merseysider and Liverpool youth product, he was a key player in two Premier League title wins and a Champions League triumph.

His relationship with the fans went south last year, and he's as likely as not to be inclined to continue fighting for his place in the Spanish capital. At 28, and with fully five years remaining on his contract, there's plenty of time for him to do so.

Alexander-Arnold has started just three times in La Liga this season, playing fewer than 270 minutes, and has played only once in the Champions League under Mourinho.

Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde was deployed at right-back against Barcelona on Sunday, with new signing Dumfries introduced to replace him on the hour while Alexander-Arnold was not in the matchday squad.

Arsenal have been handed a potential boost in their protracted transfer pursuit of Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr.

The 26-year-old, who finished second in the voting for the Ballon d'Or in 2024, has been an influential player for Real Madrid since joining from Flamengo in 2018. His standing at the Bernabeu has become diminished, however, and interested parties will be watching closely.

According to reports in Spain, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has been told to consider selling Vinicius Jr in the January transfer window or next summer.

Vinicius Jr sale 'recommended' by Real Madrid board members

The Brazil international was sent off against Villarreal and slapped with a four-match ban, leaving the door open for 19-year-old new signing Yan Diomande to stake a claim on a starting spot.

Diomande has seized the opportunity with both hands, reportedly leading to conversations about Vinicius Jr's future behind the scenes at the Bernabeu.

"Diomande's rise has reportedly led several board members to recommend that Florentino Perez consider selling Vinicius. The asking price to initiate negotiations would be approximately €150 million," claims Fichajes.

"The deal would bring in a significant sum for a player who recently extended his contract until June 30, 2032. The club officially announced the renewal in August, guaranteeing his continued presence for another six seasons.

"This contract puts Real Madrid in a favorable position to negotiate. There is no immediate contractual obligation to sell, and any suitor would have to submit an offer that compensates for the loss of the Brazilian."

Vinicius Jr was suspended for Sunday's El Clasico win over Barcelona, which allowed Real Madrid and city rivals Atletico to close the gap on the La Liga leaders. Kylian Mbappe scored both Real Madrid goals and Diomande has been applauded for another encouraging display.

The Brazilian has scored once and laid on three assists in his eight La Liga appearances this season but Diomande's impact could present Arsenal and other suitors with another chance to sign a proven star with his prime possibly yet to come.

The Gunners were persistently linked with a move for Vinicius Jr in the last summer transfer window but ultimately pointed their focus elsewhere.

Mikel Arteta has no shortage of talented wide players at his disposal, with Max Dowman able to play on the right and joining Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke and Christos Tzolis as winger options for the Premier League champions.

But medium-term injuries for Saka and Tzolis have left Arsenal with limited immediate options on the right and left in a busy part of the season. Adding strength, depth and proven quality is always on the agenda for the top clubs and the Gunners could go after their man in Madrid after all.

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick will have more time to rectify his team's miserable early-season form, according to reports.

Carrick has appeared to be on the brink of getting the sack after a shocking week for Man United, who lost back-to-back matches against Como and Bournemouth amid public dissent from senior players.

Lisandro Martinez and captain Bruno Fernandes have both spoken out this month. Martinez primarily targeted technical director Jason Wilcox and United's recruitment, but Fernandes went straight for the throat by criticising Carrick's tactics in the Champions League last week.

Michael Carrick gets a stay of execution at Manchester United

Neither Martinez nor Fernandez started the loss against Bournemouth and the captain ended the afternoon as an unused substitute at Old Trafford, where the United supporters appeared to be in agreement with the former professionals whose ire was reserved for the players breaking ranks more than the struggling boss.

Persistent speculation about the Red Devils nearing a decision between ex-Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann and former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has proved unfounded for the time being. Carrick, for now, is to remain in charge.

"Michael Carrick will be given more time to turn Manchester United’s fortunes around after a meeting of the club’s hierarchy on Monday," reports The Athletic.

"Following talks on Monday between the club’s senior leadership figures, including co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, the decision has been made to give Carrick and the players more time.

"Despite the [Bournemouth] result, Carrick’s name was sung by the home crowd at full time as he walked a lap around the pitch applauding them. The fans then turned to boo the players once he had walked down the tunnel."

The United hierarchy's decision is a surprise in the short-term but represents a stay of execution for a head coach who has been given the opportunity to improve results but has been unable to deliver them in the early part of the 2026/27.

Carrick was appointed as the club's head coach after a successful period as interim head coach in the second half of last season. The former United midfielder's players appeared more relaxed and assured after the sacking of Ruben Amorim, and battled their way to a third-placed finish in the Premier League and a Champions League return.

Rewarding Carrick's immediate results hasn't worked in United's favour up to this point. They have played 12 times in all competitions, winning just once each in the Premier League and Champions League.

The Red Devils have dropped back into the bottom five of the league table – a status to which they've become far too accustomed in the last few years – and face an uphill battle to finish in the top eight in the league phase of the Champions League.

If Carrick can breathe a sigh of relief this week, the fixtures from which he must achieve those improved results are a daunting prospect. United's remaining October and November fixtures pit them against Chelsea, Roma, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Sporting CP and Brentford.

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick's future at Old Trafford remains up in the air in the wake of the Red Devils' loss to Bournemouth, but the question of who might replace him appears to be close to a resolution.

Man United are understood to have a liking for Aston Villa boss Unai Emery and Brighton & Hove Albion's Fabian Hurzeler, but both are considered beyond their reach. Consequently, the club's discussions have reportedly crystallised around former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe and ex-Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann.

Howe is believed to be the preferred option of under-fire technical director Jason Wilcox. Having resigned from the Newcastle job in the summer, he's seen as both an achievable target and an appropriately steady hand.

Manchester United might have to dig deep to secure Eddie Howe as their new manager

Howe isn't currently in a job but appointing him won't come cheap for Man United, who are understood to face a hefty compensation bill should they elect to bring in the former Bournemouth gaffer.

"The Magpies did not want Howe to leave back in July when he informed the board of his decision to go but accepted he wanted to quit after five years in charge," reports Chronicle Live, which claims that Newcastle would be due 'significant' compensation because of the years left on Howe's contract when he left the club.

"Howe was on around £6m a year at Newcastle and serving a multi-year deal that was extended in summer 2024.

"It is a payout that could lead to millions coming the way of Newcastle given [they] agreed to allow staff members such as Jason Tindall, Stephen Purches and Simon Weatherstone to leave with him, amid rumours of them going back into management with Howe."

Howe performed well under the weight of expectation at St James' Park, steering the Magpies back into the Champions League and delivering the Carabao Cup, their first major trophy for 70 years.

His Newcastle team was built on capable players working hard and getting on the front foot, characteristics Wilcox and Man United would surely love to see as they attempt to rescue the 2026/27 season at Old Trafford.

Carrick took the Red Devils into the Champions League as interim head coach last season and was appointed on a permanent basis on the back of the team's positive form in the second half of the season.

The new season isn't going to plan. Carrick's team have won twice in 12 matches in all competitions, beating Sabah in the Champions League and Ipswich Town in the Premier League but succumbing to a succession of miserable results.

Captain Bruno Fernandes was left on the bench for Sunday's loss against Bournemouth after publicly criticising Carrick's tactics in the wake of a humbling at the hands of Como in midweek.

Defender Lisandro Martinez has also broken ranks to air his grievances in recent weeks. While many Man United fans and former players have been quick to condemn the players for speaking out in such a manner, Carrick's days appear to be numbered.

Aston Villa are reportedly in the market for another winger, casting further doubt on Alejandro Garnacho's future at the West Midlands club.

Garnacho joined Villa on loan from Chelsea with a conditional obligation to buy but has struggled for playing time in a team well stocked in his position.

Manager Unai Emery has commented that the Argentinian winger is progressing well with regards to the tactical demands he places on his players, but the weight of a reported £42 million price tag is significant in light of his lack of immediate impact.

Villa 'sent a delegation' to watch transfer target in Turkey

Emery is happy to bide his time with players he feels are short of what he needs but are moving in the right direction behind the scenes, and his vision for Garnacho is very different than last season's Harvey Elliott debacle.

Yet the 22-year-old faces a tough climb up a competitive pecking order, with Villa having quickly rectified a position that was occasionally a problem for them in 2025/26.

Emery plays with three men behind striker Nicolas Jackson and now has an embarrassment of riches in those positions. John McGinn and Emi Buendia were regulars along with former teammate Morgan Rogers last season, and Johan Manzambi is the long-term plan for the central spot.

But Villa now also have Ibrahim Mbaye, signed from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, and in-form Alysson competing for those wide spots. George Hemmings has been moved from central midfield and has played in all three positions this season.

Garnacho faces a battle and it could get even tougher in January, according to reports in Turkey.

"Aston Villa have sent a delegation to Turkey to take a closer look at Oguz Aydin, after contacting Fenerbahce and his agent," reports Sport Witness, which claims that Villa representatives have met with Fenerbahce officials to discuss a potential move.

"Having held talks with the Istanbul club for Aydin, the Premier League side may make an offer for him in January. There’s no mention of the fee they may propose or Fenerbahce’s stance."

In FourFourTwo's opinion, it's extremely unlikely that Villa will look to sign another winger or attacking wide player during the January transfer window.

Garnacho, at 22, is the oldest of the players competing for places with McGinn and Buendia. Blocking Alysson, Hemmings and Mbaye will not be part of the club's strategy.

Villa's 'delegation' watched Monday night's Istanbul derby between Aydin's Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, which Fenerbahce lost 2-1 thanks to two goals from Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen.

Emery's team will play Galatasaray in the league phase of the Champions League, in the same stadium, in less than a month.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is edging closer to a move to Atletico Madrid.

The reigning PFA Player of the Year found himself on the bench at Old Trafford this Sunday for criticising Manchester United manager Michael Carrick after last week's defeat to Como in the Champions League, claiming the tactical decisions that lost the Red Devils the game were “on the manager and staff to see”.

With United losing 3-0 to Bournemouth at the weekend and Carrick opting not to bring his skipper on in the second half, the home crowd cheered the manager's name before booing the players – suggesting a relationship with the beloved Bruno had taken a hit.

Manchester United looking like selling Bruno Fernandes to Atletico Madrid in January

Fernandes has come under significant criticism in recent days, with United legends vocal in their disapproval of how things have unfolded at the club this season.

After United crashed to a sixth defeat in all competitions on Sunday, Gary Neville stated that the Portuguese had “conned” Michael Carrick, following Roy Keane tearing into “the mindset of a Manchester United player” last week.

Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that the 32-year-old is “considering leaving”, and has been for some time, with Atletico Madrid monitoring the situation and “accelerating” a move this January.

Although Pablo Barrios is having a good season, Los Colchoneros have lacked a little creativity in advanced areas of the pitch since the departure of Antoine Griezmann to Major League Soccer, with Fernandes one of the most expressive players in Europe on his day.

The biggest obstacle remains negotiating with United over signing their captain and talisman at a time when fan opinion of the ownership and directors is at a record low.

Despite the plummeting public opinion of the Red Devils captain, selling a player midseason who contributed 20 assists last term, while the club are struggling this season, would be a monumentally unpopular decision.

Though Carrick has a contract at Old Trafford that runs until 2028, it is increasingly unlikely that the former midfielder is relieved of his services sooner rather than later, with a replacement boss beginning with a fresh slate and a better relationship with Fernandes.

The 32-year-old is out of contract at the end of the 2026/27 season, but the 20-time English champions have the option to extend his deal for another year, should they wish to exercise it.

In 338 fixtures for United, Fernandes has contributed 111 goals and 109 assists.

Fernandes is worth €35 million, according to Transfermarkt. United take on Chelsea this weekend when Premier League action continues.

2026 Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane has been congratulated by Prince William, the Football Association patron and heir to the British throne.

Kane is the first English player to win the Ballon d'Or since Michael Owen in 2001, finishing clear of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi in the 2026 voting to be crowned the best men's footballer in the world.

He is the first Bayern Munich player to win the award since 1981, when the great Karl-Heinz Rummenigge won the Ballon d'Or for the second consecutive year to complete half a decade of honours for players representing German Bundesliga clubs.

Prince William hails Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane

Kane scored 61 goals in 51 matches in all competitions for Bayern last season, earning him a second European golden boot in advance of the World Cup. There, he led England to the semi-finals and scored another six goals.

When the 33-year-old parades the Ballon d'Or ahead of his record 126th cap against Croatia at Wembley next month, he'll be nine goals short of his international century.

On Monday evening William, Prince of Wales posted on Instagram: "What a fantastic achievement and so deserved. A brilliant captain, a remarkable player and someone who has given football fans across the world so many unforgettable moments."

William counts himself among those football fans and regularly attends Aston Villa matches in an unofficial capacity as well as England fixtures in his role as patron of the FA.

He has been watching on as Kane carved out a phenomenal career in the game. The Londoner is renowned for his intense focus on hitting the highest standards he can reach and his immutable thirst for goals.

Kane joined Tottenham Hotspur as a boy in 2004 and went on to become a legend in North London after cutting his teeth on loan at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City.

He left the Premier League as its second-highest goalscorer behind Alan Shearer and one of only three players to have scored more than 200 goals in the competition. At Bayern Munich, he has been able to collect the silverware and winners' medals he craved.

Kane is now a two-time Bundesliga champion and a DFB-Pokal winner, and the biggest individual accolade in football will be associated with him forever.

Mbappe scored 10 times at the World Cup but France were also eliminated at the semi-final stage and were beaten by England in the third-place play-off in July. Kopa Trophy winner Lamine Yamal was a World Cup winner in a Spain side that was almost the definition of a team effort.

Most footballers would take trophies over individual awards but Kane's claim to the Ballon d'Or was obvious. As he chases down the last few records and achievements of a stellar career, England's skipper now stands at the top of the world.

Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win over Kylian Mbappe was closer than anyone thinks.

The England captain was crowned the best player on Earth last night at a glitzy ceremony at the London Palladium, to become the first Three Lions player in 25 years to lift the Ballon d'Or.

In doing so, he fended off heavy competition – with Kylian Mbappe a very close second indeed.

Harry Kane only just beat Kylian Mbappe to Ballon d'Or

Fichajes in Spain are reporting that according to Vincent Garcia, editor-in-chief of the Ballon d'Or's organisers, France Football, Mbappe led the rankings for much of the voting process.

The vote was decided by fewer than 41 points, making it one of the closest contests in modern history, after the voting process was revamped in 2024.

While Kane's 73 goals made the difference – a whole 15 greater than Mbappe's 58 – the Bayern Munich striker's team performances are said to have played a bigger part in his win.

While Bayern scooped yet another Bundesliga title and reached the final four of the Champions League, Mbappe's Real Madrid were dumped out of the competition by the Bavarians in the quarter-finals, and finished trophyliess for the second successive season since signing Mbappe.

Both Kane and Mbappe reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, with the Frenchman picking up the Golden Boot.

Mbappe and Spaniard Lamine Yamal campaigned harder for the Ballon d'Or than Kane, who even noted last week in an interview with FourFourTwo columnist Jules Breach on TNT Sports that he “doesn't like to talk about [himself]”.

Mbappe, however, declared that he would dedicate the award to Africa, while Yamal dismissed Kane's claim for the award, stating, “For me, Mbappe and I are the two best in the world”.

The World Cup-winning teenager finished third at the ceremony, winning a third Kopa Trophy on the bounce.

International team-mate Rodri came fourth, with eight-time winner Lionel Messi fifth.

Kane is the fifth Englishman to lift the prize, following Stanley Matthews (1956), Bobby Charlton (1966), Kevin Keegan (1978, 1979) and Michael Owen (2001).

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane is officially the best footballer in the world after being crowned the winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

The Three Lions captain is the first English player to be given the award since Michael Owen 25 years ago. He joins Kevin Keegan, Bobby Charlton and Stanley Matthews as English winners of the biggest individual accolade in men's football.

Kane's England teammate Jude Bellingham was voted into third place behind Rodri and Vinicius Junior two years ago, but the 33-year-old Bayern frontman's phenomenal scoring exploits for club and country have taken him to the top of this year's Ballon d'Or voting.

Harry Kane beats Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe to football's biggest individual prize

East London-born Kane joined the Tottenham Hotspur academy set-up in 2004 after brief junior spells with Arsenal and Watford. He was loaned to Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City as a youngster, but made his Premier League debut for Spurs in August 2012.

Kane went on to appear in 317 Premier League matches for Spurs, many as captain, between 2012 and 2023. He left the Premier League with 213 goals to his name. Only Alan Shearer has scored more, and only Shearer, Kane and Wayne Rooney have scored more than 200 times.

He was the top goalscorer in the Premier League three times and has won the golden boot in all three of his seasons in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, who he joined from Spurs in search of trophies in 2023.

The trophies arrived, too. Kane is a two-time Bundesliga winner and also helped Bayern to the DFB-Pokal in 2025/26.

Since joining the Bavarian titans, the England skipper has scored an astonishing 156 goals in 158 matches in all competitions, and has scored more than a goal per game in the league.

While Kane has tasted defeat in three European finals – twice with England and once in the Champions League with Spurs, and all as captain – his performances in leading Bayern to the double and England to the World Cup final in 2026 won the appreciation of the world's football journalists.

He is the first Bundesliga player to win the award since 1996, when legendary Borussia Dortmund midfielder Matthias Sammer saw off Shearer and Ronaldo to claim the Ballon d'Or.

The latest Bayern player to win it was Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who was crowned the world's best player in both 1980 and 1981.

Kane is the second former Spurs player to win the award. Croatia midfielder Luka Modric won the Ballon d'Or in 2018 after taking Croatia to the World Cup final.

They played together just once for Spurs. Modric scored a penalty in a Europa League defeat to PAOK in November 2011.

The striker has come on a long way since then.

Barcelona's domination of the Kopa Trophy has continued thanks to the success of 19-year-old Lamine Lamal.

The teenager was voted as the 2026 winner of the Kopa Trophy, which acknowledges the best footballer in the world under the age of 21. His triumph was announced on Monday and followed back-to-back wins for fellow Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal.

Yama's win means that the Kopa Trophy is heading to the Camp Nou for the fifth time in six years, with Gavi and Pedri preceding Yamal as winners since 2021.

Lamine Yamal has been crowned as the best young footballer in the world

No club but Barcelona has had multiple winners of the award, which was first voted upon in 2018, and no country but Spain has had more than one winner.

Yamal is the only individual player with multiple wins and one of only four with multiple appearances on the podium.

The women's award was also won by a Spanish Barcelona player last year, when Vicky Lopez won the inaugural women's Kopa Trophy.

Many thought La Masia team-mate Pau Cubarsi was the closest challenger to Yamal this time. The young defender is going from strength to strength, establishing himself as a regular under Barcelona boss Hansi Flick and could reach more than 150 senior appearances before he turns 20 in December.

The Catalan teenager has already won back-to-back La Liga titles as a trusted Flick lieutenant, and followed Olympic Gold in 2024 with a vital contribution to Spain's World Cup win in 2026.

Cubarsi picked up the Best Young Player award at the World Cup this summer – but Yamal's status as the most exciting teenager in the world seems to have preceded him once more.

Kylian Mbappe was the first winner of the Kopa Trophy, demolishing the field to claim the inaugural award in the wake of France's World Cup win in 2018. Matthijs de Ligt of Juventus won by a smaller margin ahead of Jadon Sancho and Joao Felix in 2019.

England's Jude Bellingham won the 2023 award while at Borussia Dortmund.

The transfer market doesn't stand still for anyone, and even Manchester United are aiming to keep their plans on track while a decision on their managerial situation remains untaken.

Man United are still firmly in the blast radius after an explosively miserable Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford. The Red Devils' 3-0 loss to Bournemouth in the Premier League has left Michael Carrick on shaky ground as the club's head coach.

Should Carrick be dismissed, United technical director Jason Wilcox is reportedly prioritising former Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe over Julian Nagelsmann as his preferred realistic successor.

Man United could revisit a familiar transfer target if Eddie Howe gets the gig

If Howe does end up with the job, he's unlikely to disagree with United's apparent top transfer target. Having looked to strengthen in midfield instead at the expense of defensive additions in the summer, Man United are reportedly ready to turn their focus back to one of Howe's former players.

Magpies full-back Lewis Hall was the man the Red Devils wanted in the summer. According to Football Insider reporter Pete O'Rourke, their interest in the England international is as strong as ever.

"Hall remains a leading target for Man United and they could make a fresh move next summer," reports O'Rourke, who has revealed that the club can expect to pay at least £70 million if they're able to sign him next summer.

Former Man United full-back Gary Neville believes that the decision to spend on three midfielders rather than two was a mistake in the summer transfer window, and also suggested that his old club need to spend big money to rectify what he calls the 'absolute negligence' of leaving the team with Lenny Yoro at right-back and Diogo Dalot at left-back.

Hall is an obvious target for a club with financial clout and a major gap at left-back. Luke Shaw has been available more consistently in the last 18 months than the two previous seasons, but the Red Devils need a long-term replacement and have evidently identified Hall as their candidate of choice.

"He has since penned a new deal at St James' Park to extend his stay until 2031, but that has done little to deter the long-term interest in eventually luring him to Old Trafford," adds O'Rourke.

"His new contract has put Newcastle firmly in control of his future, and any deal will have to be on their terms, while he remains a crucial part of Matthias Jaissle's plans."

Hall has missed some football with an injury of his own but has been following a positive trajectory since leaving Chelsea for Newcastle, initially on loan, in 2023. The young full-back has made 80 Premier League appearances for the Magpies in the last four seasons.

A regular at under-age international levels, Hall was among the young players handed England debuts during Lee Carsley's Nations League campaign in 2024, and has made five senior appearances under Thomas Tuchel this year.

Howe can take a huge amount of credit for his former player's development into a Premier League fixture and senior international, and a reunion would be the stuff of dreams for Man United. Newcastle can be expected to resist their interest with a vengeance.

Manchester United are less than three months into a new Premier League season but have already reached the point at which the details of head coach Michael Carrick's contract are under the microscope.

Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis in May after a successful second interim spell that saw him lead Man United to third place in the Premier League and back into the Champions League, bringing a positive conclusion to a season that was just 40 matches long.

But the former United midfielder's tenure has quickly turned sour. His team have won just twice in their first 12 matches of the season in all competitions, and while the Old Trafford faithful were keen to turn the blame on the players and upper management after Sunday's loss to Bournemouth, the buck is bound to stop with Carrick sooner rather than later.

Michael Carrick's job is under threat after Man United's dismal start

United's supporters were vocal in the support for Carrick, and notably less so for the outspoken duo Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez. Other players felt the fury from the fans, whose spiciest ire was reserved, as ever, for United's hierarchy.

Yet the likes of technical director Jason Wilcox and part-owner Jim Ratcliffe will remain in their posts longer than the head coach they appointed, with United threatening to continue a cycle of failure when they do activate their latest change in the dugout.

According to talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook, who claims that the sack is indeed waiting in the head coach's immediate future, United were at least prepared for Carrick's two-year deal to go south more quickly than expected.

"Carrick only signed a two-year contract with United in the summer after piloting them to Champions League qualification but that deal is believed to include a break clause," reports Crook.

The Red Devils could be in for a turbulent few weeks, but futureproofing Carrick's deal against their habitually poor decisions, if indeed they did, is a rare example of solid judgement.

"United had already begun assessing potential replacements following Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League humbling at Como. These include former Germany and Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and ex-Newcastle boss Eddie Howe," adds Crook.

"Nagelsmann's case is being pushed by United head of recruitment Christopher Vivell while technical director Jason Wilcox favours a manager with Premier League experience like Howe."

Wilcox's admiration for Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is bound to be fruitless on this occasion, while Crook also credits the former Blackburn Rovers winger with a liking for Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler.

Carrick's position has been under intense scrutiny since the Como match, after which United captain Fernandes openly questioned his tactics just a few days after Martinez had made some pointed comments criticising Wilcox.

Pundit Gary Neville joined the ranks of ex-players condemning Fernandes and Martinez for airing United's dirty dressing room laundry in public, though he didn't hold back in his own thoughts on the club's recruitment failings.

Chelsea are eyeing up a battle with Spanish capital giants Real Madrid for their next headline-grabbing transfer, according to reporting in Italy.

The Blues invested heavily in new players during the summer transfer window, equipping new manager Xabi Alonso with a squad boasting the likes of Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Martinez, Maxence Lacrois and Valentin Barco, as well as the senior influence of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck.

Now, Chelsea are looking to go big again. Tuttomercatoweb reports that the West London club are keeping an eye on talented Argentinian attacking midfielder Nico Paz.

Chelsea are reportedly watching Como star Nico Paz

The 22-year-old has been consistently impressive since joining Como from Real Madrid in 2024 and has flourished under the guidance of former Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

Real Madrid have a buyback clause worth €80 million next summer but Chelsea are watching closely with a view to pulling a rabbit out of the hat to kick off their new ownership era in style.

"Nico is on a new path, even on a personal level: he is growing physically and athletically. He may have lost 5% of his brilliance, but he has gained it in muscle, center of gravity, stamina, and strength," reports Marco Conterio.

"This is why Europe's big clubs are constantly monitoring him. Sure, he'll cost a fortune, but Chelsea , for example, isn't afraid to invest. In their latest league outings in Serie A, and even in the Champions League, Blues [officials] have been keeping a close eye on him, both at De Kuip and during the last match in Florence.

"Real Madrid have an exclusive buyback agreement of €80 million set for the summer of 2027, otherwise they'll get a percentage of the resale price. In other words: if Chelsea want Paz, then they'll have to pay dearly."

Paz was the star of the show when Como thrashed Manchester United in the league phase Champions League last week, scoring twice and setting up a third goal in between.

He scored 12 Serie A goals last season, helping to lead Como into the Champions League for the first time in their history. He has two goals in his first seven league games this season and is on track to have his most productive season in terms of goals and assists combined.

Born in Tenerife, Paz developed in the local club's academy before he was picked up by Real Madrid 10 years ago. He played nearly 50 league matches for the club's second team and made a handful of appearances in La Liga before his switch to Italy.

The youngster has been one of Serie A's foremost talents over the past couple of seasons, during which Fabregas and Como have matched his evolution into a household name.

Paz chose Argentina over Spain at international level and was included in Lionel Scaloni's squad for the World Cup in 2026, playing twice in the group stage.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has criticised the club's recruitment over a number of years in a brutal assessment of the line-up beaten by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday.

United lost 3-0 thanks to goals from Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson, with defensive errors making life easy for the Cherries at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have won two of their 12 matches in all competitions this season and have dropped into the bottom five just a few months after Michael Carrick, then interim head coach, led them back into the Champions League.

Gary Neville condemns Manchester United's recruitment

Carrick stands on the brink of the sack, with results going against a United side playing poorly and breaking ranks by making public statements of discontent.

Neville, who played for United in a very different era, has been damning in his own comments, lambasting some of the players for their standards and attitudes. He has also taken aim at the club's transfer strategy.

"Tottenham [Hotspur] have taken the two star midfield players, the two main targets in midfield. Last night at Stamford Bridge... watching [Sandro] Tonali and {Mateus] Fernandes run a football match, and they should be out there in red shirts," Neville said on The Gary Neville Podcast.

"Manchester United decided not to buy them because they can't afford them because of the debt and all the other waste of money that's been spent... it's a series of bad mistakes.

"They'd have been better off signing Tonali and Fernandes rather than signing three [midfielders] that are okay. Sign two that are better than okay."

Neville's ire is not limited to Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos, who played in the middle in the absence of dropped captain Bruno Fernandes.

The former England right-back believes that United should have spent £100 million on defenders. The individual and collective errors, and the team's deteriorating goals-against record, appear to suggest he has a point.

"That is absolute negligence to leave that defence out on that pitch," Neville said.

"It's not easy sometimes but Lenny Yoro should not be playing right-back for Manchester United. Diogo Dalot should not be playing left-back for Manchester United.

"Ayden Heaven is still learning his trade but he should be learning his trade, developing, in certain matches, not these type of matches. Harry Maguire and [Lisandro] Martinez have been here for years now, five years or more, and still can't keep clean sheets consistently.

"So, how could they not bring defenders in? They had to bring defenders in."

Arsenal were rejected by Nico Williams, after an offer came through.

That's according to the winger himself, who has revealed why he turned down a move to North London, along with other European giants to remain in the Basque Country.

Despite interest from Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, Williams spoke over the weekend in comments relayed by Sport Witness about his commitment to hometown outfit Athletic Club, with whom he has a contract until 2035.

Nico Williams: "I told Barcelona, Arsenal, PSG, and many others… no"

Williams shot to prominence just before the 2022 World Cup, following in the footsteps of elder brother Inaki for Athletic – but unlike his sibling, he received an international call-up for Spain and has become a key player in two major titles for La Roja.

Arsenal are among a throng of European giants who have kept tabs on the 24-year-old in the past few years, with interest seemingly ending last year after the Athletic wide man penned an extraordinary decade-long extension to his deal at San Mames.

Earlier this month, Sport Witness reported on Williams’ agent, Felix Tainta, naming Barcelona, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain as interested parties in Williams in 2024 after the star won the European Championship – noting “having a player say no to all these clubs isn’t easy”.

Inaki Williams reportedly wasn't happy with Tainta's comments, with Nico now addressing the talk after Athletic smashed Getafe 4-0 over the weekend.

“Felix was wrong with what he said; things aren’t like that,” the World Cup winner assured. “The final decision is made by me, my brother, and the family. What happens at home, only the three of us know.

“I’ve never doubted being here. I’ve had countless offers. I could have left, and I’ve always been clear about staying here. My intention to be here cannot be questioned.

“I told Barça, Arsenal, PSG, and many others no, because I want to be here. I hope people understand.”

Over the summer, there were renewed rumours that Arsenal could return for the Basque star after failing to lure either Vinicius Jr or Julian Alvarez from La Liga – but the Gunners opted to stick to only bring in Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.

Since European interest peaked in Athletic's No.10 after Euro 2024, he has scored just 12 league goals, however, as injury and poor form have prevented him from reaching the next level in the Basque Country.

Williams is worth €40 million, according to Transfermarkt. Arsenal travel to Fleetwood Town as Carabao Cup action continues this week.

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has spoken out in support of Red Devils head coach and former teammate Michael Carrick in the aftermath of Sunday's 3-0 loss against Bournemouth.

Neville expects Man United to sack Carrick, who was appointed as head coach after a positive second interim spell last season, but places the blame for the club's difficulties on decisions behind the scenes and the application of the players on the pitch.

Goals from Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson concluded a miserable week for United after a dismal Champions League loss at Como and the subsequent comments of captain Bruno Fernandes.

Gary Neville tells Man United players they shoulder the blame

"Michael's still very early in his managerial career and people like [Louis] van Gaal and [Jose] Mourinho have been eaten alive here," Neville said on The Gary Neville Podcast after Sunday's miserable defeat at Old Trafford.

"So for Michael, he's seen what's happened to Ruben Amorim, he's seen what's happened to Erik ten Hag, he's seen what's happened to Ralf Rangnick, he's seen what's happened to Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer]. The warning signs were there and they've fallen for it.

"This group of players who've been getting managers sacked for a number of years now and underperforming... they've teased him, haven't they? They've conned him for a few months. They have. They've conned him."

United's fortunes turned around after Amorim was removed and Carrick installed in his place. They lost just twice after the turn of the year and won five of their last six Premier League matches to secure third place and a return to the Champions League.

Having been brought up in the Alex Ferguson era, Neville is consistently outspoken and renowned for expecting high standards of Man United players. The current squad, with a few exceptions acknowledged by Neville in an emotional speech from the gantry at Old Trafford, falls short.

The Sky Sports pundit noted that Fernandes and Lisandro Martinez, who has also spoken out in public this month and was left out of the starting line-up along with the captain, have lost the vocal support of the Old Trafford crowd in a way Carrick has not.

Their comments represented a 'direct attack on Michael Carrick' and their speaking out in public probably amounts to just a fraction of what they're actually thinking.

A couple of senior players have criticised either the club or Carrick in recent weeks and Carrick is damning of the overall standards of the squad, hinting that there are players in the first team squad aren't meeting their behavioural expectations off the pitch and saying that living locally is all that's needed to know that.

Carrick is now on the brink. United have beaten Sabah in the Champions League and Ipswich Town in the Premier League, two wins in 12 matches in all competitions.

Their next four matches pit them against Chelsea, Roma, Aston Villa and Liverpool. How many of those games Carrick takes charge of is anyone's guess.

It was January 2020, and Diego Demme was finishing up his winter vacation. Just as he was getting ready to return to RB Leipzig, his agent called him: Napoli wanted to sign him.

Having never lived outside of Germany, Demme was intrigued by a potential summer transfer. The only issue? Napoli wanted him to join right now, in the middle of the season.

At the time, Leipzig sat atop the Bundesliga and were in the midst of a historic season that saw them reach the UEFA Champions League semifinal. Napoli, meanwhile, were in chaos, sitting eighth in the Serie A table.

Diego Demme explains how Gennaro Gattuso put Napoli on the path to ending their Scudetto drought

Carlo Ancelotti had lost control of the dressing room, with the club attempting to fine players 25% of their salary – 50% for Lorenzo Insigne and Allan – after they refused to return to a mandatory training retreat ordered by owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Ancelotti's replacement, Gennaro Gattuso, inherited a club in free fall. He quickly began rebuilding the squad with Stanislav Lobotka, Amir Rrahmani, Matteo Politano, and Andrea Petagna. For his midfield enforcer, he turned his attention to the Leipzig captain, a man modeled in his image.

Demme's brain told him to stay at Leipzig, but his heart pushed him to leave. After all, his father was a lifelong Napoli fan who had named him after Diego Maradona. Moreover, Demme grew up idolizing Gattuso and relished the opportunity to learn from his role model.

After several sleepless nights and lachrymose conversations, he ended up leaving Leipzig after six years and joining Napoli for €12 million. Demme quickly justified that price tag by becoming an integral figure in midfield, helping Napoli end a six-year trophy drought and defeat Perugia, Lazio, Inter and Juventus en route to the 2019/20 Coppa Italia.

"My idol was Gennaro Gattuso; every time I saw him play, I said, ‘I want to play like him.’ He was my idol when I was a kid, and now he’s speaking to me and letting me play...it's crazy," stated Demme to FourFourTwo.

"Gattuso gave me a very good feeling: if he gave you a hug before the match, you’d be so motivated to play for him. As a coach, he’s exactly like he was as a player, because his mentality gives you a crazy kick."

Having led Leipzig from the 3. Bundesliga to the Champions League, Demme helped Napoli get back on track and reestablish themselves as a behemoth in Italian football. Napoli went from 7th to 5th under Gattuso, to 3rd and 1st under Luciano Spalletti, winning their first championship since Maradona's departure.

After a horrific title defense, Demme then left Napoli for Hertha Berlin, watching from his homeland as Napoli claimed their fourth Scudetto in 2024/25. They had waited 33 years to win the title, and suddenly, they had won two in three years.

Whilst Spalletti and Antonio Conte brought the Scudetto back to Naples, it was Gattuso who steadied the ship, laid the foundations, and set Napoli on course for their long-awaited return to the summit of Italian football. He's now looking to repeat that magic with Lazio, who, after finishing ninth last season, currently sit level with Inter atop the Serie A table.

"When I arrived at Napoli, the atmosphere throughout the whole city and the dressing room was not good," noted Demme. "Everybody was sad, and the fans were criticizing the team; they wanted to see players give everything on the pitch. Gattuso gave stability back to Napoli and put players like me on the pitch who did the basics like running and fighting. Gattuso changed everything for the team’s results."

Wayne Rooney has waded into the debate about Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and his critical comments about head coach Michael Carrick.

Man United lost 4-1 to Como in the Champions League on Wednesday, leaving them with just two wins from their first 11 matches of the 2026/27 season. Carrick was appointed on a permanent basis after securing United's European spot but the pressure on him is mounting.

Fernandes criticised the Red Devils' tactics during a post-match interview, sparking a row that will rumble along for some time.

Wayne Rooney slams United captain Bruno Fernandes for breaking ranks

"It's a decision from the staff to not press man to man and sometimes leave space behind and try to get the ball, but sometimes when you give too much the ball to these teams they get confidence," said Fernandes on TNT Sports.

"That's on the manager and staff to see it, not me. Sometimes you have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable."

Carrick responded by shifting some of the blame to the players' application, and pundit Joe Cole quickly condemned Fernandes for airing United's dirty dressing room laundry in public.

Former Red Devils midfielder Roy Keane joined the voices turning the attention towards Fernandes' comments as a deed rather than an analysis, and Rooney has questioned the current captain and his teammates.

"When [Lisandro] Martinez came out [and criticised Jason Wilcox], I said this is an absolute nightmare because it will rip the dressing room apart; that was the start. We've seen it now with Bruno, and you're going to see it with more players because they don't want to take responsibility," Rooney told The United Stand.

"You can say whether Bruno was right or wrong in what he said, but you have to take responsibility on the pitch; you have to take responsibility as a group of players. These players, they're selfish. They don't care about their team-mates, the manager, the staff, or the fans.

"They care about themselves. If they're not getting what's right for them, they're like babies and just throw their toys out of the pram and go and deflect the blame onto anyone else but themselves."

Man United's only wins this season were against promoted Ipswich Town in the Premier League and Azeri champions Sabah in the Champions League.

They're winless in seven matches in all competitions and were beaten in their last two Champions League fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Como. They haven't won away from Old Trafford since Carrick's permanent appointment.

United's next match will be at home against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon. They visit Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in next Saturday's lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has given an update on Bukayo Saka, following the winger's injury against Bayern Munich.

The England star lasted less than 10 minutes at the Allianz Arena in midweek, picking up what looked to be a quad injury when passing the ball and missing the rest of Arsenal's 2-2 draw with the Bundesliga champions.

Arteta claimed after the match that the injury “didn't look good” – and has elaborated further in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Gunners hosting Everton tomorrow.

Bukayo Saka set for spell on the sidelines with Arsenal

“He's got another MRI this afternoon because he had quite a lot of fluid in the area so it was difficult to understand the extent of the injury,” Arteta said of the injury, via HandOfArsenal.

“We will know more, probably tomorrow,” he continued. “We need a few more scans and opinions from the specialists.”

In a press conference dominated by questions about Saka, Arteta said that he wasn't worried by the load that the winger has taken on at the age of just 25 and that the best response his player could have would be to turn up to the training ground with the same mentality as before.

With Saka limping off against Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Eberechi Eze was given an opportunity to impress and took his chance with the opening goal.

It remains likely that the No.10 is given another start in the Premier League this weekend, with Noni Madueke moving back to his favoured right wing – after starting against Bayern on the left, and replacing Eze on the left away at Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Christos Tzolis, signed over the summer from Club Brugge, had started the season on the left flank for the Gunners until an injury during the international break curtailed his progress.

Arsenal have been handed boosts in other departments when it comes to injuries.

Defensive duo Piero Hincapie and William Saliba are both closing in on returns from injury, while both right-backs, Jurrien Timber and Ben White, are available for selection this weekend.

Saka is valued at €110 million by Transfermarkt.

Manchester United are set to go head-to-head with Premier League rivals Chelsea in the race to sign Portuguese teenager Flavio Goncalves, according to reports.

Man United are in a state of disarray on and off the pitch but transfer planning doesn't slow down for chaos. Sporting CP winger Flavio Goncalves is a target and the Red Devils aren't going to hold back if they get the chance to snap him up.

Goncalves has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in the European game. At 19 years old, he has played just a handful of senior league matches since his debut late last year but has attracted the attention of the Premier League clubs in next to no time.

Manchester United 'have scouted Goncalves extensively' and an offer is reportedly imminent

The teenager has a release clause in the region of £51 million and any buying club can expect to pay that in full to sign him. Caught Offside reports in its Daily Briefing that Sporting want to extend his deal and elevate his release clause, but interest from elsewhere is bound to influence his decision.

"Chelsea and Man United have scouted Goncalves extensively and they’re now prepared to make offers directly to Sporting," according to a Caught Offside source. 10 Liga Portugal matches into his career, he'd represent a bold investment even for clubs with their clout in the transfer market.

Goncalves was born in northern France to Portuguese parents, and it was in a six-a-side tournament in Paris that he was identified by Carlos Rente, who worked for the Gestifute agency and is the uncle of Manchester City director of football Hugo Viana.

The youngster moved to Portugal with his parents to join Rio Ave, where he spent three years playing junior football before he was picked up by Lisbon giants Sporting, aged 12, in 2019.

He played 45 times for Sporting's B-team in the second and third tiers of Portuguese football, and was given his first-team debut in a cup match in October 2025. Goncalves made three league appearances last season and was handed his first league start in August.

With three goals in seven league appearances this term and a Champions League debut now under his belt, Goncalves has caught the eye of plenty of observers besides Man United and Chelsea.

The Premier League pair could face further competition from Germany, with RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund all reported to be monitoring Goncalves.

Unnamed clubs in Spain and Italy are also believed to be interested in the Portuguese teenager, whose current contract runs to the summer of 2030.

Goncalves is a modern attacking midfielder, as adept in a creative central role as he is on the left wing. He's played on the right, too, and there have been comparisons drawn to players as diverse as Cristiano Ronaldo and Florian Wirtz.

He will be in action on Sunday evening, when third-placed Sporting host Academico Viseu in the Liga Portugal.

Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White is set to return to action after a brief absence through injury.

Gibbs-White was ever-present in the first six Premier League matches of 2026/27 but suffered a minor injury when Forest faced Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and was forced to sit out of the 1-0 loss to champions Arsenal last weekend.

Former Eagles manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Gibbs-White was left out as a precaution and the England midfielder is set to return against Ipswich Town on Friday evening.

Morgan Gibbs-White will be available this weekend

"Of course, when your captain is available, it’s important. It’s someone who can create chances and score goals himself," Glasner said in his press conference before Friday's match.

"That’s positive, but I think you could also see that without Morgan Gibbs-White, we had a very competitive team against the champions. This gives us confidence because we lost without Morgan and with Morgan.

"He’s an important part, but he can’t win the game alone, so we need a top team performance, but it’s good to have him back."

Gibbs-White is Forest's talisman, a captain who leads by performance and has an undeniable influence on his team's structure and quality.

He started 35 times in the Premier League last season, scoring 15 times to become one of the most potent attacking midfielders in Europe, and helped his team reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Forest boss Glasner also confirmed that central defender Nikola Milenkovic will be available for selection against Ipswich. The Serbian international missed Forest's matches against Aston Villa, Coventry City and Crystal Palace but was named on the bench against the Gunners.

Igor Jesus and Nicolo Savona have both been ruled out against Ipswich. Jesus could return at the end of October, while Savona's absence is expected to last for another month.

Forest kick off the Premier League weekend in the bottom three, one point above Sunderland. The win at Villa was their only one of the season so far and they've lost their last three.

Losing to Palace is a result that sticks in the craw for Forest now, but running Arsenal close last Sunday suggested better things to come for Glasner's side.

Friday's trip to Portman Road is the first test of that. Ipswich have won three of their matches after promotion, two of them on their own turf, and a win for Forest would pull them to within a point of the Tractor Boys.

Bournemouth owner Bill Foley has reassured supporters that the Cherries have not 'given up hope' in their attempts to persuade Alex Scott to sign a new contract.

Scott is one of the hottest properties in the Premier League and has attracted the attention of all of its wealthiest clubs, but Foley hopes to keep him at the Vitality Stadium beyond this season by extending his contract.

The current deal ends at the end of 2027/28, putting him firmly in a position where Bournemouth will need to decide soon whether, and how, to make sure they get the best possible transfer fee.

Bournemouth the 'right place' for Scott despite interest from rivals

Currently injured, the Guernsey-born England international was the target of a reported £64 million bid from Chelsea in the summer transfer window. Bournemouth are believed to want £100 million and rejected the offer outright.

Chelsea's interest remains, and both Liverpool and Manchester City have been credited with an interest in signing the 23-year-old. La Liga titans Real Madrid are also reported to be tracking the midfielder.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Foley reiterated Bournemouth's position but also admitted that 'players' can be tempted away by clubs like Chelsea and Man City.

"At this point, we're convinced we're the right place for Alex to be and to stay, and we'll keep on addressing the contract issues with Alex as we move through this year." said Foley, who also owns A-League side Auckland FC and the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights.

"We'd love to have Alex stay here and sign a new contract and be part of this team for the long haul. We haven't given up, but sometimes players get stars in their eyes and they think that Chelsea or Manchester City is the right place to go.

"We have to respect the fact that a lot of our players are younger, and they've come to Bournemouth with the expectation that they'll get time to play and perhaps move on to a bigger team."

Scott picked up a thigh injury on England duty and missed Bournemouth's last two Premier League matches against Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as their Europa League game against Sturm Graz and Thursday's win against AC Milan.

The Cherries have won all three of their Europa League matches, including successive 3-0 wins in the two European home matches in their history in Scott's absence.

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan gave them a helping hand in the face on Thursday, earning himself a straight red card with the Rossoneri already behind to a Justin Kluivert penalty.

Marcus Tavernier converted Bournemouth's second spot kick before Amine Adli rounded off a historic victory with a free kick.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has urged patience over the injury recurrence suffered by midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai against Brentford last weekend.

The Reds won 2-1 in that Premier League match but Szoboszlai was withdrawn in the first half with a hamstring problem. He missed Liverpool's comeback win over Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Hungary captain Szoboszlai was unavailable for the two matches before Brentford and Iraola has confirmed that it was the same injury that cut short his return to action.

'It's not a new injury' for Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool

"It’s not a new injury, I think it’s in the same place it was probably last week," Iraola said in his press conference before the Villarreal fixture.

"He hasn’t worsened the injury but probably we have to be a little bit more patient until he recovers fully. But it’s not like something now where he has to wait a lot of time to come back, he is more or less in the same situation he was last week.

"But we need more patience with him, but I appreciate the effort he did the other day, to be available, to want to contribute in a very difficult game that you know is going to be very physical – [against] one of the most physical teams, Brentford."

Szoboszlai did not train on Thursday and is considered highly unlikely to be available for Liverpool's Premier League fixture against high-flying Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.

Sky Sports reporter Vinny O'Connor has suggested that the Hungary skipper could also miss Liverpool's Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea and the next Premier League match against Arsenal.

Szoboszlai has started six Premier League matches this season and came off the bench to score in the third round of the Carabao Cup against Tottenham Hotspur. He also played and scored against Atletico Madrid in the league phase of the Champions League in September.

The Reds will also be without Jeremie Frimpong for around a month, while there are three long-term absentees who are yet to be involved under Iraola because of their injuries.

Right-back Conor Bradley is reportedly getting close to joining partial training with the rest of the squad with a view to a potential return to action before the end of the year.

The timeline is a little longer for centre-back Geovanni Leoni and striker Hugo Ekitike, who are both working their way back from significant injuries.

Teenager Leoni is yet to play in the Premier League after suffering an ACL injury in the Carabao Cup on his debut in September 2025.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has outlined the return schedule for Ghana international winger Antoine Semenyo.

Semenyo came on as a late substitute in the Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town last Saturday but went down with a knee injury and will be unavailable for the next two months.

Asked about his injured players while on press duty ahead of this week's Champions League win over AEK Athens, Man City boss Maresca made it clear that Semenyo's injury is significant but could have been more serious.

'We expected an even worse injury' Manchester City boss says on Antoine Semenyo

"The rest are more or less okay. The only one that will be out for probably eight weeks is Antoine," Maresca told reporters at his press conference.

"In the first moment we expected an even worse injury so we were more worried. After yesterday’s scan we feel much better because it’s not so big like we expected.

"It could be eight weeks. Now in this moment the most important thing for him is his recovery. When he is back around December it will be like a new player in terms of energy."

Semenyo will miss the Saturday lunchtime fixture against Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday, and City's back-to-back Carabao Cup and Premier League games against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Man City are due to play RB Leipzig, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Napoli and Arsenal either side of the November international break, which Semenyo would also have been called up for had he been available.

December begins with matches against Leeds United, Brentford, Barcelona and Chelsea, after which City will hope to have Semenyo back in contention.

He's a big loss for Maresca, who has selected him in City's starting line-up for six of City's seven Premier League matches this season. The 26-year-old already has two goals and three assists to his name.

Semenyo also started both of City's previous league phase matches in the Champions League, featuring against Porto and PSG.

Maresca had better news to share about striker Erling Haaland, who also picked up a knock in the Ipswich game but was fit enough to be named on the bench against AEK this week.

17-year-old Floyd Samba made his second senior appearance against the Greek side but it was Phil Foden who stole the show, scoring a hat-trick in a dominant 5-1 win for Maresca's men.

Manchester City are heading for a key juncture of their modern history and its impact could extend much further than expected.

Man City were found guilty on 114 charges of breaching Premier League rules relating to financial reporting and obstructing the subsequent investigation. The ruling was made by an independent commission, and both the club's appeal and the punishment they're due are pending.

City were found to have artificially inflated revenue to the tune of more than £900 million between 2009 and 2018, enabling them to spend vast amounts of money beyond the sums allowed by Premier League regulations.

Man City owners could be heading for even more trouble

The possible sanctions are wide-ranging and could be incredibly serious. The Premier League has the power to expel Man City entirely, to impose points deductions, and to apply restrictions on registering players. They could also be stripped of their titles and heavily fined.

While the original investigation is now beyond a guilty verdict and into the appeal stage, where City's owners are promising to share the 'irrefutable evidence' that was not unearthed during the previous proceedings, there are other bodies now taking an interest in the scandal.

According to the Mirror, City are facing a probe on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority over loans of taxpayers' money to firms owned by City owner Sheikh Mansour, and scrutiny from England's new Independent Football Regulator.

It has also been confirmed in the House of Commons that the Financial Reporting Council has assumed control of 'regularly consideration' regarding the scandal and that a preliminary investigation is already underway.

Those are potentially very significant problems for Man City but the owners will also be aware of the one mechanism by which they could be removed from English football entirely and forced to sell the club.

The Independent Football Regulator was established by the Football Governance Act 2025 and has been imbued with a range of powers that club owners must be wary about.

They include the right to boot owners out of football lock, stock and barrel. City have been warned that this is one of the punishments they could face beyond the Premier League's own sanctions.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football as reported by the Mirror, the chair of the Independent Football Regulator said that it would be keeping its powder dry for now, but has the ultimate say-so when it comes to whether City's owners are permitted to continue.

"We will look at the individuals who've given evidence, we will look at the individuals involved with the club and we will take a judgement call," said David Kogan.

"I am not going to get pushed into making any judgement on this until we've seen all of those questions being answered and then we will have to decide whether we're going to mount our own investigation and come to a conclusion on that and what we're going to do. And pre-empting that would be a colossal mistake.

"We have the power to ask an owner to step away from a club if we believe that they run a club in a way that is neither fit, fair or done with propriety.

"We've got absolute power to do so."