Brentford have ruled out sanctioning a mid-season departure for record signing El Hadji Malick Diouf following fresh transfer links to Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool. Having only recruited the 21-year-old Senegal international from West Ham United for up to £40 million in late August, Gtech Community Stadium chiefs consider him untouchable this winter.
Thomas Tuchel has stood firm on his decision to omit Cole Palmer from his latest England squad, admitting he did not even feel the need to contact the Chelsea playmaker before the announcement. Despite Palmer returning to fitness and form at Stamford Bridge, the German coach cited a lack of consistent availability as the primary reason for the high-profile snub.