Peter McVitie

Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has heaped praise on USMNT star Weston McKennie, claiming the midfielder has all the attributes to be a "perfect central striker" following the Bianconeri's emphatic 3-0 victory over Napoli. Spalletti also highlighted a significant limitation in the game of goalscorer Jonathan David, comparing him unfavourably to Napoli forward Rasmus Hojlund despite the Canadian’s crucial strike.

Antonio Conte has admitted his Napoli side are in a "real emergency" following a demoralising 3-0 defeat to Juventus. The Partenopei boss cut a frustrated figure as he detailed a deepening injury crisis that has left the champions' title defence hanging by a thread, with key stars missing and no reinforcements expected ahead of a crucial Champions League clash against Chelsea in midweek.

Andrew Robertson is set to remain a Liverpool player for the rest of the season after the Anfield hierarchy informed Tottenham that a deal is off the table. Spurs had prepared a £5 million package for the Scot, but an injury crisis on Merseyside has forced Liverpool to block the move, granting the wish of captain Virgil van Dijk who urged the club to keep his defensive partner.

Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has confessed that the club’s ongoing contract standoff with Vinicius Junior is completely out of his hands, despite expressing his desperate hope that the Brazilian superstar remains at the Bernabeu. The future of the Ballon d'Or contender remains uncertain, with the forward’s representatives currently in the capital, yet fresh speculation over a lucrative exit refuses to disappear.

Arsenal have reportedly begun exploring a sensational summer swoop for Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez, less than a year after breaking the bank for Viktor Gyokeres. Sporting director Andrea Berta is leveraging his deep connections at the Spanish club to gauge the possibility of bringing the Argentine World Cup winner back to the Premier League, despite the Gunners’ current record signing still finding his feet in north London.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has dampened excitement regarding potential January arrivals, admitting he expects the winter window to remain quiet at Anfield despite a mounting injury list. While the Reds boss confirmed the club remains open to "opportunities" if the right profile becomes available, he conceded that the squad is likely to remain unchanged as they push for Champions League qualification in the second half of the campaign.

Arsenal defender Ben White has expanded his portfolio off the pitch by becoming a key investor in a high-end luxury travel company. The 28-year-old, who is currently battling to reclaim his starting spot in Mikel Arteta’s side, has put his money into London-based executive chauffeur business OUNO.

Alvaro Arbeloa has navigated a turbulent start to life in the Real Madrid dugout, with details emerging of a significant tactical and cultural shift from the Xabi Alonso era. Reports from the Spanish capital reveal that the dressing room has responded positively to Arbeloa’s "direct" methods, while a hostile reception from the Bernabeu has had the unexpected consequence of uniting a fractured squad following their Copa del Rey humiliation.

England legend John Barnes has leapt to the defence of Jude Bellingham, dismissing recent criticism of the Real Madrid star’s off-pitch lifestyle as "exaggerated" and insisting that the midfielder’s behaviour is not a cause for concern. The former Liverpool winger believes that the scrutiny surrounding Bellingham’s social life is merely a by-product of a dip in form, predicting that the noise will vanish the moment the 22-year-old returns to his prolific best.

Tottenham have launched a shock move to sign Andy Robertson immediately, abandoning plans to wait for his contract to expire in June. Head coach Thomas Frank is facing a defensive crisis in north London and has pushed to secure the Liverpool veteran now, with amicable negotiations advancing quickly as the Scotland captain seeks regular football ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Jadon Sancho has taken a thinly-veiled swipe at his former Manchester United bosses after finally opening his account for Aston Villa. The winger, who scored the winner against Fenerbahce on Thursday night, heaped praise on Unai Emery for giving him a manager who finally "believes" in him. It comes after a turbulent conclusion to his Old Trafford career where he was frozen out by both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim.

Michael Carrick has wasted no time stamping his authority on Manchester United, implementing six key behind-the-scenes changes that have already highlighted the shortcomings of his predecessor, Ruben Amorim. From matchday routines to academy integration, the interim boss has impressed both players and staff in his first week, culminating in a morale-boosting derby victory over Manchester City and a clear shift in culture at Carrington.

Chelsea icon Eden Hazard has officially swapped goals for grapes, embarking on a surprising new career venture as a winemaker. The 35-year-old former winger, who dazzled the Premier League for seven years with his electrifying dribbling, has teamed up with Italian wine tycoon Fabio Cordella to launch his own signature range of reds and whites. It marks a sophisticated pivot for the Belgian ace, who has largely kept a low profile since hanging up his boots in 2023.

Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal are on the verge of making history and could even surpass Manchester United’s legendary 1999 treble winners. Ahead of the clash at the Emirates, the Liverpool legend claims Mikel Arteta has the tools to win a quadruple, arguing that the Gunners are in a far stronger position now than Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were at this stage of their historic campaign.

Arsenal midfielder Christian Norgaard has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Ajax, with the Dutch giants reportedly exploring a move for the Dane midway through his first season at the Emirates Stadium. The 31-year-old is featured on a shortlist of experienced midfield options being considered by Ajax director of football Marijn Beuker, who is currently on a scouting mission across Europe to secure a new defensive leader for the Amsterdam club.

Joe Cole has urged Manchester City to raid Crystal Palace for a second time this year, tipping the Premier League champions to move for Adam Wharton as concerns grow over Rodri’s fitness. The former England star believes the Eagles midfielder is the perfect cover for the Spaniard, who looked "lightweight" in the shock defeat to Bodo/Glimt, and claims Wharton could soon have his "pick of the bunch" of top clubs.

Alisha Lehmann has completed a sensational return to the Women’s Super League by joining Leicester City on a contract until 2028. The world’s most-followed female footballer has brought an end to her five-month spell with Italian side Como to bolster the Foxes’ ranks as they look to secure their top-flight status, with a potential debut against former club West Ham United pencilled in for this Sunday.

Former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has returned to football in a new capacity following his dismissals from Spurs and Nottingham Forest. The Greek-Australian coach has been appointed as a UEFA Technical Observer and was immediately tasked with analysing Arsenal’s emphatic 3-1 Champions League victory over Inter, where he singled out Gabriel Jesus for special praise.