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Noa Lang has expressed frustration over his lack of playing time at Napoli, revealing he has only spoken to Antonio Conte once since joining in the summer. After being benched in a humiliating 6-2 defeat to former club PSV, the Dutch winger admitted he “has to accept” his situation while Conte warned he must avoid being “selfish” and focus on the team.

• Lang’s frustration grows as minutes remain scarce under Conte

  What should’ve been a special return to PSV turned into a nightmare for Noa Lang. Napoli were thrashed 6-2 in Eindhoven, with the Dutch winger who came through PSV’s youth ranks once again left out of the starting XI. He was only brought on in the 58th minute to replace Billy Gilmour. Lang has featured in just six games this season, all as a substitute, totalling 110 minutes of action since his €28 million (£24m/$30m) move in July.

  Lang didn’t hide his frustration after the full-time whistle. Speaking with visible anger, he admitted he expected more opportunities by now and was shocked to remain on the sidelines during such a heavy defeat. He added that while he is training hard, selection is out of his control and all he can do is “accept the situation for now.”

  The 26-year-old signed a long-term contract until 2030, but just months into his Napoli career, the relationship between player and coach already appears strained. His comments suggest a breakdown in communication with Conte, raising early concerns about his role in the squad.

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  ‘I’ve only spoken to him once’ – Lang’s strained relationship with Conte

  Lang openly voiced his frustration with the team’s performance and his role: "I better not say anything," he said with a mix of anger and disappointment. "The result says it all," sighed Lang on . "Losing 6-2 to PSV? That's just scandalous. We didn't even get a chance. We were simply outplayed." 

  He added: "I wasn't allowed to play? I don't know what else to do. I'm training hard. I have no other choice. I signed a contract here, so I have to accept it as it is right now.

  "I don't speak to him [Conte] very often. I spoke to him once. I'm a bit confused now after this result. It's better not to say anything."

• Conte fires back and warns against selfishness

  The Italian was questioned shortly after Lang’s comments but refused to focus on one individual. Before addressing his winger specifically, the coach made it clear that no player can put personal concerns ahead of the collective.

  "We need to talk about the team, not just one player," he said. "I don't want to talk about just one player, because it's dangerous if you become selfish. That's not good for our season. He needs to keep working hard. If I decide to play him, I will; otherwise, he'll stay on the bench."

  Gli Azzurri's form has made the situation even more tense. They have suffered back-to-back defeats against Torino and PSV and are struggling to find stability in Europe losing twice already in their Champions League group. While they sit third in Serie A and only one point behind leaders AC Milan, pressure is mounting on Conte to quickly restore order.

  Lang, who registered 11 goals and 10 assists for PSV last season, was expected to bring creativity and unpredictability to Napoli’s attack. Instead, he finds himself on the fringes of the squad at a time when expectations are high and results are slipping.

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  What next for Napoli and Noa Lang after PSV humiliation?

  The Scudetto winners' schedule now intensifies. In Serie A, they face Inter next – a direct rival level on points in second place before returning to Champions League action against Eintracht Frankfurt, Qarabag and Benfica in a must-win run of fixtures to stay alive in Europe.

  For Lang, the path forward is simple but demanding: continue working, stay patient, and wait for Conte’s trust. The winger remains under contract until 2030, but unless his situation improves, frustration could quickly turn into something more serious.

  Conte, meanwhile, will be judged not just on results, but on how he handles big personalities in the dressing room. With pressure building, Napoli’s next few matches could shape both their season and Noa Lang’s future.

Everton were at a critical point when they dismissed Sean Dyche at the beginning of a new era, a change of ownership seeing the Friedkin Group complete a protracted takeover bid at the end of 2024.

But Everton have now passed that juncture. The David Moyes era is well underway. The Toffees are on the up. Tuesday evening’s dour defeat at Molineux against Wolves in the Carabao Cup did serve as a reminder that this club have a long way to go before they reach the ground they wish to reach.

Having left Goodison Park behind and settled into a new home on Bramley Moore-dock, Everton are piecing together a new future, having shipped out much of the deadwood at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Now boasting a squad fit to compete for a top-half Premier League finish, Moyes has struck gold with additions such as Jack Grealish and the raw but talented duo Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry.

However, Iliman Ndiaye would still stake his claim as the club’s standout forward, having been immense since arriving a little over a year ago.

Iliman Ndiaye's Everton career

Ndiaye missed a fair chunk of the Moyes era as it got going last term, sidelined for a stretch after being substituted against Liverpool in February.

He had been quite the bright spark through the dreary first half of the campaign, though, with analyst Ben Mattinson even marvelling at the “relentless” 25-year-old’s performances and claiming he “could be at least a regular squad player in every Premier League team”.

He’s certainly proved this is the case since joining the Toffees from Marseille for £15m in July 2024, scoring 13 goals in total. Be on the left or the right, he is deadly, and has started strongly this term, netting the first goal at a new home to kickstart Moyes’ first full term back in charge.

This kind of dynamism has borne Everton through a dark patch and into the light. He is the real deal, and quite comfortably one of the most important players on the books.

Pocketing £45k per week, Ndiaye is not one of the club’s top earners, and he will surely expect that to change soon. Indeed, technical director Angus Kinnear will need to offer the versatile winger improved terms if he hopes to stave off the suitors that will come for him – and sooner rather than later at that.

Especially when considering there are other, less reliable members of the Toffees fold who earn a prettier penny than him.

Everton must cash in on high-earning star

Moyes and Everton and TFG did well to free themselves of some high-earning stragglers this summer. Abdoulaye Doucoure, for example, had been a stalwart across his years at Goodison Park, but could no longer justify his £130k-per-week salary and left, relocating to the Middle East.

This isn’t quite the same for Vitalii Mykolenko, who remains a part of the Everton first team, but his sale might be one that Moyes wants to green-light in the coming months.

The Ukrainian has only played two times in the Premier League so far this season, and he was directly at fault for one of Wolves’ goals during that 3-2 win at Molineux in August, with the Liverpool Echo frustrated with the left-back’s efforts and branding him with a 4/10 match rating.

With his attacking play leaving plenty to be desired and a problem with maintaining availability, Mykolenko might be worth selling in 2026, especially since Adam Aznou, 19, has been welcomed to fold with a weight of expectation.

He’s been hailed in the past for his “incredible” mentality by former boss Frank Lampard, but Mykolenko leaves too much to be desired.

James Garner has also deputised commendably at left-back across the opening weeks of the season, with Mykolenko indeed sidelined by injury.

As Everton continue to develop under Moyes’ wing, shaping into a team fit for purpose on a higher rung of the Premier League ladder, so do some fans clamour for a more attack-minded full-back.

Well, they have one in Aznou, who had even been hailed as a “generational” talent by football scout Jacek Kulig in the build-up to his switch from Bayern Munich to Merseyside.

As the Morocco international goes from strength to strength at Everton, so too do Mykolenko’s chances of falling down the pecking order increase.

Given that a €30m bid from Napoli was turned down during the summer, senior Blues officials may come to regret not taking the money and running, for if Mykolenko’s injury problems persist, there’s every chance he will be offloaded for a smaller fee down the line.

Former Everton scout Bryan King has also chipped in on the situation, saying after the Liverpool loss, “He was injured during pre-season, and that’s never a good sign for a player.”

He did acknowledge that the 26-year-old wasn’t the only poor performer during that defeat, but Sofascore record that he lost five of six contested duels and gave the ball away 13 times. Hardly convincing.

And neither was it an illustration of the full-back’s rather lofty £58k-per-week salary, placing him above Ndoaye on the wage bill.

Mykolenko might be a solid defender, but his track record on the fitness front and persistent struggles to provide attacking support that will be needed as Everton continue to evolve mean that change might be afoot.

He is out of contract at the end of the season, and the club might just come to regret not cashing in for a hefty sum while they could, especially if he plays a peripheral role throughout.

Whether the club can fetch a sum for him in January remains to be seen, but with contract talks slated for deeper into the season, there may yet be time to cash in for a figure not too dissimilar than that which was offered by Napoli a few months ago.

Everton messed up selling their original Tyler Dibling for just £1.5m

As Everton place their faith in youth gamble, one former player offers a cautionary tale.

By
Will Miller

Sep 26, 2025

Jude Bellingham could face a potential ban after being caught making an X-rated gesture during Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico. The English midfielder was the match-winner at the Bernabeu, but his celebration has once again sparked controversy after cameras appeared to capture him repeating the same gesture that landed him in trouble at Euro 2024.

• Bellingham makes lewd gesture after winning Clasico for Real Madrid

  Bellingham played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s 2-1 triumph over Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu, contributing both a goal and an assist in one of the most anticipated fixtures of the season in La Liga. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring for Madrid, only for Fermin Lopez to level for Barcelona before Bellingham struck just before half-time to restore Los Blancos’ lead — one that ultimately proved decisive.

  However, celebrations took an unexpected turn when the England international was caught on camera making a lewd gesture, pointing toward his crotch while sticking out his tongue in front of supporters. The incident quickly spread across social media, drawing comparisons to the same gesture Bellingham made at Euro 2024 after scoring for England against Slovakia, for which UEFA issued him a £25,000 fine and a suspended one-match ban.

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  Real Madrid and Barcelona players clash in heated Clasico

  The gesture has once again placed Bellingham in an uncomfortable spotlight, overshadowing an otherwise stellar performance that helped Real Madrid extend their lead at the top of La Liga to five points. The match itself was a heated affair, with tempers flaring late on as Andriy Lunin was sent off in stoppage time amid a scuffle involving multiple players. La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) are expected to review the footage to determine whether Bellingham’s actions warrant disciplinary action, though a decision may depend on how seriously the governing bodies interpret his intent.

  If sanctioned, Bellingham could face a fine or even a short suspension, a setback that Real Madrid can ill afford as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures. Head coach Xabi Alonso, who has praised the midfielder’s resurgence since the international break, will be keen to keep one of his most influential players available. Speaking after the match, Alonso said: “He’s had three very good games. We knew before the last break that he needed time and minutes to get going, and he’s done better than we expected. Jude is all about feeling, communicating, and connecting. That’s why he’s had some very good games.”

• Bale got away with a similar gesture in 2019

  This is not the first time a Real Madrid player has become embroiled in controversy for a similar act. Back in 2019, Gareth Bale made the infamous “corte de mangas” gesture toward Atletico Madrid fans — a motion considered deeply offensive in Spain — yet he escaped punishment from the authorities. That precedent could provide some comfort to Bellingham, who will hope that the Spanish FA takes a lenient view. The midfielder’s previous incident at Euro 2024, however, may not work in his favour, even though UEFA’s jurisdiction does not extend to La Liga matches.

  Barcelona boss Hansi Flick landed himself in hot water last week after being shown a second yellow card for making a gesture during a win over Girona. Flick also picked up a one-match ban and was suspended from the touchline for El Clasico. All eyes will now be trained on whether La Liga manage to clamp down on Bellingham’s X-rated gesture with similar vigour, while a lack of action could very well reiterate a dig made by Lamine Yamal before the Clasico, a sentiment shared heavily by fans of other La Liga teams through the last few seasons.

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  Could Bellingham be banned for Valencia clash?

  Bellingham will now await any formal word from the league authorities regarding potential punishment, but as of now, no official statement has been released. If history is any indicator, a review process could take several days, with Real Madrid’s legal team likely to argue that the gesture was made in jest or misinterpreted by cameras. Even if he avoids a ban, the incident is likely to be discussed heavily in the Spanish media over the coming days, reigniting debates that have raged in the last few weeks.

  In the meantime, the 22-year-old remains focused on maintaining his fine form for Madrid, who are entering a critical phase of the season. After being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s most recent England squad, Bellingham will hope that his club displays — rather than his on-field antics — become the talking point ahead of the Three Lions’ upcoming fixtures against Serbia and Albania.

Senne Lammens has admitted he appreciates chants from Manchester United fans comparing him to Peter Schmeichel. Schmeichel moved to United in 1991 and went on to become one of the most revered goalkeepers in the game. The Danish icon is still adored by supporters despite moving to rivals Manchester City in 2002, having been influential in numerous title triumphs during his nine-year Old Trafford stay.

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  United struggled to replace Schmeichel

  United went through several high-profile goalkeepers as they sought to replace the Great Dane following his 1999 exit, including Mark Bosnich, Fabien Barthez and Tim Howard, before they signed Edwin van der Sar in 2005. David De Gea replaced the Dutchman in 2011, but United have struggled between the sticks in recent seasons.

  Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir both flopped as first choice for United and the club finally rectified their goalkeeping issues with the addition of Lammens from Royal Antwerp. United were linked with a number of shotstoppers, including Emiliano Martinez and Diogo Costa, before opting to bring in the young Belgian.  

  And Lammens has made an immediate impact for Ruben Amorim's side, featuring in wins over Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton. He's quickly won over the United faithful, too, who have likened the 23-year-old to Schmeichel.

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• 'I'm just Senne Lammens'

  The Old Trafford crowd serenaded Lammens with chants of 'Are you Schmeichel in disguise?' during United's 2-0 win over Sunderland, the club's first clean sheet of the season. However, the humble United number one played down the comparison, insisting he is just 'trying to help the team'. 

  "I don't listen to it too much during the game but I saw it afterwards," Lammens told . "I'm not Schmeichel in disguise. I am just Senne Lammens trying to help the team.

  "It is an amazing compliment to get but you have to be realistic. He is one of the best goalkeepers ever. I have to prove a lot more to be in the same conversation as him."

  When Schmeichel signed for United for a little over £500k in 1991, Sir Alex Ferguson described the price in 2000 as the "bargain of the century", with the towering shotstopper named "The World's Best Goalkeeper of 1992" by the IFFHS.

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  'The manager gave me a little bit of time to adapt'

  Lammens wasn't immediately instilled as United first choice following his deadline day arrival from Royal Antwerp. The 23-year-old watched games against Manchester City, Chelsea and Brentford from the bench as Bayindir kept his place in goal before the summer signing made his debut against Sunderland earlier this month.  

  The goalkeeper, though, believes Ruben Amorim's decision to give him a few weeks to adjust to England was the right call, adding: "There was nothing said before about there being a strict plan," he said. "It was always, 'the best goalkeeper will play.'

  "But at the start, I had a little bit of difficulty in training. The manager saw that and gave me a little bit of time to adapt. The first game I played was the perfect opportunity for me. From there everything went well. I couldn't have imagined a better start."

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• Lammens praise for centre-back duo

  Lammens also praised new United teammates Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt, and has said that the duo have set high expectations, adding: "They told me I don't need to be the most amazing or special goalkeeper, just to be there in important moments to give the team trust. It makes them more relaxed knowing someone is behind them who can help them.

  "One of the key points of a goalkeeper is helping the defence with communication. I am proud of being calm and collected. But when the time is needed, I can be harsh or shout at team-mates. To have both characteristics is good."

  The youngster rounded off that he hopes one day he can be mentioned in the same breath as Schmeichel, stating: "I want to have a long career here. Then, maybe in the end, I can be in the conversation with people like Schmeichel and [Edwin] van der Sar and [David] de Gea. That would be really nice."   

With planning already underway for 2026 signings, one player’s agent has now revealed where his client sees himself playing amid interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.

Klopp becomes latest to defend Florian Wirtz

After Julian Nagelsmann jumped to the defence of Wirtz last week, iconic former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has done the same. The midfield star has so far struggled to adapt to life at Anfield – failing to score or assist in seven Premier League games – but maintains the full faith of those watching on.

It’s true that the former Bayer Leverkusen star has endured a tough start in Liverpool colours, but it’s also true that Arne Slot’s side haven’t been firing on all cylinders as a whole.

When Wirtz emerged from the bench against Chelsea, it quickly became clear that he’s not the problem in a Liverpool side that entered the international break off the back of three straight losses.

Questions have, therefore, been asked all throughout the break and those questions must receive an answer against Manchester United in a game Liverpool simply must win.

The Reds’ recent form has also sparked a number of transfer enquiries. Despite spending big in the summer, breaking their transfer record twice to sign Wirtz and then Alexander Isak, those at Anfield could yet welcome further reinforcements in 2026.

Among them could even be one player who already has his transfer preference in mind ahead of the 2026 window.

Fofana's agent outlines transfer preference

Among Liverpool’s targets is Malick Fofana, according to Caught Offside. The £50m-rated winger looks destined for great things with the Reds, Chelsea and others keeping a watchful eye on his development at Lyon.

Amid such interest, the ball seems to be in the Belgian’s court and his agent has set his sights on big things as a result. Speaking to reporters about his client, Frederico Pena said: “This is the season Fofana wants to show himself to the world, especially at the World Cup. If he succeeds, he can go from Lyon to a top ten club. We strongly believe in him at Roc Nation. Liverpool, Bayern, Man City – those are the clubs he belongs at.”

Liverpool eyeing move to sign £50m+ Real Madrid target similar to Van Dijk

He could be a fantastic option for the Reds.

By
Henry Jackson

Oct 12, 2025

Name-dropping Liverpool rather than Chelsea alongside the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City, Fofana’s agent has just handed those at Anfield quite the boost.

Given that Mohamed Salah’s contract is set to expire in 2027, the Lyon star wouldn’t exactly be a bad option. The 20-year-old has the ability to play on both flanks and was described as “explosive” by analyst Ben Mattinson last season after scoring 11 goals and setting up another six in all competitions.

Grimace has become part of the fabric of the New York Mets' 2024 postseason run. The fast food mascot first linked up with the team from Flushing when it threw out a surprisingly good first pitch ahead of a game on June 12.

While other curiosities have gotten involved this season, Grimace has endured as a symbol of hope for the team with the highest payroll in American sports this year.

As the National League Division Series returned to Queens on Tuesday, the Grimaces were out in full force with a number of amusing pictures and videos emerging before and during the team's Game 3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies.

With the Mets leading the NLDS 2-1, we won't have to wait long to see if the fairy tale continues. With that in mind, here's the Grimace version of Cinderella losing a slipper—a Grimace costume hung upside down in a bathroom stall. If the Mets fortunes start to turn, this image could end up being the defining one of the season.

Glasgow Rangers finally confirmed their new head coach on Monday afternoon after a search that lasted just over two weeks, following the sacking of Russell Martin.

The Light Blues decided to part ways with the former Scotland international after their 1-1 draw with Falkirk, but they were unable to have a manager in place for their next Scottish Premiership match against Dundee United two weeks later.

Danny Rohl has, now, come through the door at Ibrox, though, and will be in charge of the Scottish giants when they face Brann in the Europa League on Thursday.

The German head coach has signed a deal that will take him through to the summer of 2027, having left Sheffield Wednesday at the start of this season.

After five wins in 18 matches so far this season in all competitions, supporters are understandably lacking in patience and want to see an instant improvement in the team’s form.

So, with this in mind, what can the fans at Ibrox expect from Rohl once his team walks out onto the pitch to play their first game against Brann on Thursday?

What Rangers fans can expect from a Danny Rohl team

The word ‘pragmatism’ is often misused in football. It gets used as a substitute for saying a manager plays defensive or passive football that is awful to watch, instead of the actual meaning of the word, which is to play logical football that makes sense with what you have at your disposal and who you are up against.

Rohl, fans may be pleased to read, is a pragmatist in the literal sense of the word. The German tactician, who worked as an assistant at Bayern Munich and for the German national team, changes his tactics and style of play to give his team the best chance of winning.

An interesting example of this came in March when Sheffield Wednesday travelled to Norwich City. They went direct in the first half, attempting to use physicality to gain possession, and found themselves 2-0 down at the break.

At half-time, Rohl brought on Nathaniel Chalobah and Michael Smith and looked to take control of the game in possession, dominating in midfield, and it led to a brilliant comeback to secure a 3-2 win, capped off by a winning goal from Djeidi Gassama.

As you can see in the table above, the Owls significantly improved from the start of Rohl’s tenure to the end of it, as a result of his pragmatism and willingness to adapt and evolve his side.

Despite his willingness to change styles and formations, one thing that was almost a constant for the German boss was that he played with one striker. Per FBref, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 4-1-4-1, 5-4-1, and 3-4-3 were his most-used formations in the Championship last season.

This suggests that, irrespective of what style he chooses to go with for each match, he is likely to go with one central striker in his team for the Light Blues.

With this in mind, there is a centre-forward on the books at Ibrox who could find himself on the chopping block when the January transfer window opens for business.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

The first player Rohl should look to brutally ditch from his Rangers squad after the turn of the year is Brazilian forward Danilo, as it seems unlikely that he will play a major role for the new head coach.

Why Rangers should sell Danilo in January

Rangers splashed a whopping £8m on Youssef Chermiti and another £4.2m on Bojan Miovski to bolster their options in the number nine position.

This means that the club have spent over £12m on two strikers to be ahead of Danilo in the pecking order, which makes him the third-choice striker for a manager who predominantly wants to play with one player in that role.

Danilo, therefore, is in a difficult position at Ibrox. That is further evidenced by the fact that he has not played a minute in the Scottish Premiership since August, and has been an unused substitute in four of his last five appearances in the matchday squad.

The Brazilian striker started against Motherwell on the opening day of the season, and pundit Kris Boyd immediately stated that it was not working with him in the team.

Danilo has scored one goal and provided one assist in 11 appearances in all competitions this season, per Transfermarkt, so it is hard to disagree with Boyd’s assessment.

The £26k-per-week centre-forward, who was once described as being “sloppy” on the ball by pundit Steven Thompson, is also a constant injury concern for the Light Blues, as he has missed far too many games through injury in the last couple of years.

As you can see in the table above, Danilo has missed 53 matches through injury since his move to Ibrox to join Michael Beale’s side from Feyenoord in the summer of 2023.

This means that there should be doubts over both his durability and his quality in a Rangers shirt, which is not a good combination for a player who reportedly earns £26-per-week.

Therefore, Rohl should immediately sell the Brazilian striker from the squad when the January transfer window opens for business, to save money on wages and bring in funds to bring in players in other positions.

As the manager typically likes to play with one centre-forward, it makes logical sense to go with Miovski and Chermiti, who were both signed in the summer, and sell Danilo instead of paying a third-choice striker £26k-per-week to sit on the bench, or miss out on the matchday squad.

Danny Rohl can help "complete" Rangers star emulate Lewandowski at Ibrox

Danny Rohl could unearth his next Robert Lewandowski in this Rangers star at Ibrox.

By
Dan Emery

Oct 20, 2025

Lionel Messi continues to see a "last dance" at Barcelona speculated on, with it possible that a loan return to Catalunya could be agreed early in 2026. The Argentine icon is currently plying his trade in MLS with Inter Miami, but could head back to Europe during the American off-season – with Jordi Cruyff, the son of Blaugrana legend Johan, reacting to that transfer gossip.

• New contract for Messi: Tied to Inter Miami until 2028

  Messi has ruled out a retracing of steps to Camp Nou on a permanent basis, having recently taken in a secret visit to that venue as redevelopment work is completed. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has committed to a new contract in South Florida through 2028.

  Short-term loans have, however, been agreed by MLS superstars in the past – with David Beckham taking in two spells with AC Milan while on the books at the LA Galaxy and Thierry Henry briefly reuniting with Arsenal when tied to the New York Red Bulls. It has been suggested that Messi could tread a similar path.

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  Messi transfer: Could Argentine emulate Beckham & Henry?

  Cruyff, who represented Barca as a player before becoming the club’s sporting director, is not convinced that Messi will head back to familiar surroundings. He told reporters, as covered by , when quizzed on that shock transfer talk: "One last dance? I don’t know what his plans are, so I can’t answer that, but he’s a very special player because of everything he’s meant since he was a child.

  "My father has also left at times in better shape and at other times in worse shape, but the affection becomes mutual again over time. What is clear is that the one who decides his destiny and his future, when and how, is Leo, just as my father did."

  Pressed further on whether Messi – who won the MLS Golden Boot in 2025 and has 42 goals to his name this season – could still compete in La Liga having severed ties with Barca in 2021 when leaving for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent, Cruyff added: "I don’t know, that’s something he has to decide. He is in a different league, he has a World Cup just around the corner, and that will be his great passion right now. [There is] also the issue of the League, and he is competitive; that must be decided by two parties, and I, from the outside, do not have much to say."

• Exhibition game: Barcelona trying to arrange match for Messi

  Messi is expected to form part of Argentina’s squad at next summer’s World Cup, as they look to successfully defend the global crown that was captured at Qatar 2022. Heading back to Catalunya would allow Messi to stay sharp ahead of that tournament.

  Blaugrana president Joan Laporta has, however, said of the return rumours: "Out of the utmost respect for Messi, the professionals at the club, Barca, and the Barca club members, I believe that now, for me to make speculation that is unrealistic, nor do I think is fair, well, I believe that is not appropriate."

  He went on to say of arranging a friendly or exhibition match for Messi to grace: "Things didn’t end the way we would have liked … if, in some way, this tribute can make up for what wasn’t done, I think it would be a good thing. It would be right that he has the best tribute [match] in the world, and it would be wonderful to have it here, in front of 105,000 fans."

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  Messi immortalised: Barca plan statue for record breaker

  Laporta has also revealed that Barcelona are planning to immortalise Messi with a statue outside of Camp Nou. Said structure would stand alongside those which recognise the achievements of Johan Cruyff and Laszlo Kubala.

  Jordi said of a statue helping to rebuild bridges between Barca and Messi following their emotional split four years ago: "Well, my father also had his own character, he was rebellious, he was a rebel; and that kind of character and personality… like my father, Leo Messi is a star. They have the luxury of choosing when they want to, that’s the luck that immortals have, the truly special ones."

  Messi took in 778 appearances for Barcelona, netting 672 goals – becoming their all-time leading scorer. He helped them to 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League triumphs and is now the most decorated player in history with 46 major honours to his name.

Arsenal are now open to January offers for one Gunners star, with it being revealed Mikel Arteta will need to offload players and free up space in the squad.

The Gunners are well-stocked in the striker department, with Viktor Gyokeres adapting to life in the Premier League very well since making the move from Sporting CP in the summer transfer window, receiving high praise from Arteta after bagging a brace against Atletico Madrid.

The Spaniard said: “All of us [appreciate Gyokeres] because he makes us a much better team. I think we’ve become much more unpredictable,”

“He’s so physical, opens the spaces for everyone. The way he presses the ball, holds the ball, it’s just phenomenal.”

The 27-year-old, who bagged his fourth Premier League goal of the season against Burnley earlier this month, has certainly started well, while Kai Havertz is now closing in on a return from injury, having not been involved since the 1-0 win against Manchester United back in August.

Consequently, there may be little game time available for Arteta’s other striker, Garbiel Jesus, and there has now been a major update on his future at the Emirates Stadium…

Arsenal now open to January offers for Gabriel Jesus

According to a report from Spain, Arsenal are now open to offers for Jesus in the January transfer window, as they need to offload players and free up space in the squad, and the Brazilian is no longer a part of Arteta’s plans.

Persistent injuries have meant the 28-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium, and a return to Palmeiras could now be on the cards, with the Brazilian club willing to bring him back, potentially on a loan-to-buy deal.

The 64-time Brazil international has received high praise from Arteta in the past, with the manager saying back in September 2023: “He is a tremendous player, a really important player for us. He changed our world last season. You could all see that.”

That said, it is probably the correct decision to offload the centre-forward, given that he has been unable to put his injury problem in the rearview mirror, missing a number of games for club and country over the past few seasons.

It has recently emerged that the £13.7m-a-year striker has returned to training after an extended period of time on the sidelines, which could be a boost for Arteta, given that the manager has been left light on options at times this season, with Gyokeres and Havertz suffering setbacks.

With Arsenal looking to compete on all fronts, faring well in the Champions League and through to the EFL Cup quarter-final, Jesus may still have a role to play in the short-term, but it would not be the end of the world if Arsenal sanction a January departure.

Gabriel Jesus makes admission on Arsenal's future

Arsenal star makes transfer admission and says club "want" to sign him

He’s responded to the speculation around his future.

By
Emilio Galantini

Nov 14, 2025

Galatasaray advisor and prominent agent George Gardi has dived into the behind-the-scenes developments with regards to the transfer to Leroy Sane to the Turkish heavyweights. The 29-year-old, who left Bayern Munich as a free agent at the end of last season, signed a three-year deal with Galatasaray after the club managed to convince him of his importance in the project.

• Sane settling into new club Galatasaray

  The former Manchester City and Schalke star left Bayern Munich as a free agent upon the expiry of his contract over the summer and joined reigning Turkish Super Lig champions Galatasaray on a three-year deal. He is one of the highest-earning players in Turkey, pocketing a hefty €9 million annual bonus along with a net loyalty bonus of €3m. 

  His first few months at the club weren't as good as many expected. The German international struggled to maintain his fitness and looked rusty during games. In fact, he was even dropped from the starting XI for the Champions League encounter against Liverpool in September. 

  However, things have started to fall in place for Sane in recent weeks. In a recent interview with , the winger admitted that "things didn't quite go as planned on the pitch at the beginning," but after getting regular minutes under his belt and spending more time with his new team-mates on the field, he was "very happy with my performances and how I've played."

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  Galatasaray advisor reveals how the Sane transfer developed

  Galatasaray transfer advisor George Gardi – one of the most prominent agents in Turkey, having facilitated the arrivals of Mauro Icardi, Victor Osimhen and Mario Gomez – has shed light on the behind-the-scenes developments surrounding the Sane transfer.

  "This idea came about many, many months before the transfer window opened. I knew this player was needed to take the team to the next level. He was an essential player for building the squad for the upcoming season," Gardi told . 

  "When I started negotiations – many months in advance – I initially began with his then-agents. Then there was a change in management, and I continued with the new agents. Of course, it was difficult. He had offers from top clubs in England and Germany. He had a huge offer from Saudi Arabia. With the Club World Cup coming up, it was a big decision for his career."

  Speaking about the negotiations, Gardi further explained: "I spoke a lot with the agents and also with him personally. I told him that Galatasaray could be a place where he would become one of the leaders. That he would fit perfectly into the system and could win in a place that would give him great emotions and great satisfaction – perhaps even with a chance to win something in Europe, something the club had never achieved before. I explained to the board and the president that we had to make this transfer very early. If we waited too long, the competition would be even greater and it would be almost impossible to get him. That's why I insisted on completing the deal before the Club World Cup. He travelled with Bayern Munich on the US tour and to the Club World Cup – and it was absolutely unusual for Galatasaray and generally for the Turkish market to sign such a player so early in the transfer window. Normally, these top players only arrive in the winter. Signing such a player so early sent a strong signal to the transfer market."

• How Sane was convinced to join Galatasaray

  Sane spent much of the 2024–25 season in a secondary role at Bayern Munich, logging just over 2,500 minutes in all competitions. Any club hoping to convince him would have needed to guarantee a larger role. At Galatasaray, he has already played nearly half as many minutes as he did last season. And that’s after only 15 matches.

  "The deciding factor was the role he would have at the club," Gardi revealed. "The team needed a player with his qualities. The discussions with the coach – who made it very clear how important he would be to the team. And of course, the love of the fans, which he wouldn't have received elsewhere. To pull off transfers of such iconic players – players from such top clubs, with such fierce competition in the market – and to bring them in at the peak of their careers, and then at the beginning of the transfer window… that's a huge success for the club, for the president, the vice president, and the coach. We worked together brilliantly as a team to bring in such an important player. And hopefully, we will pull off similar transfers again in the future."

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  Sane yet to unleash his best version for Galatasaray

  Although he has scored three goals and delivered as many assists so far this season, the general consensus is that the 29-year-old is yet to display his best version for the Turkish heavyweights. In recent weeks, his prominence has increased and his convincing performances for Germany during the recently-concluded international break – where he scored twice – will only further boost his morale as the season progresses. 

  Gardi, as such, remains unflustered about Sane's impact. "There was a certain adjustment period – to the league, to the country. But now his performance is a key factor for the team, especially in the Champions League," he claimed. "And I believe we haven't yet seen his full potential. In the coming months, he will show his full potential – and raise his level even further, although it is already extremely high."