Milan technical director Paolo Maldini is increasingly confident that the club can complete new deals for Rafael Leao and Ismael Bennacer.

Portugal international forward Rafael Leao has been linked with a host of top clubs, including Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester City.

The 23-year-old is contracted until 2024 and Maldini revealed prior to Milan's 1-0 Coppa Italia home loss to Torino that they were closing in on agreement on an extension, with the player keen to stay.

"We are talking, there are videocalls too and not just in-person meetings," Maldini told Mediaset. "We will try to reach an agreement. It seems like both parties want to continue together and we will try to close a deal.

"We've been trying to do that for the last year and a half, but a lot happened in that time. The important thing is we want to extend and it seems as if the player wants to as well.

"This team was largely built on the transfer campaign of 2019 and practically all of those who arrived have extended their contracts. I have to say, all those who wanted to renew their deals have done so."

Algerian defensive midfielder Bennacer, 25, is contracted with the Rossoneri until 2024 as well, but Maldini said they are within days of finalising an extension.

"Absolutely, I think we will in the next 24-36 hours," he said.

The reigning Italian champions are currently third in Serie A, seven points behind leaders Napoli after 17 games.

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City "don't have a chance" of beating rivals Manchester United at the weekend if they repeat the performance that saw them eliminated from the EFL Cup.

City started with the likes of Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson among their substitutes for Wednesday's quarter-final tie at Southampton and were made to pay in a 2-0 defeat.

Sekou Mara put the Saints ahead when beating Kyle Walker to a cross, before Moussa Djenepo profited from Stefan Ortega's poor positioning to add a second before half-time.

De Bruyne was introduced as part of a triple substitution at the interval, while Haaland followed soon after, but City failed to register a shot on target for the first time this term.

Next up for City is a trip to in-form United in the league on Saturday, and Guardiola accepts a big improvement is needed from his side at Old Trafford.

"It's a different competition, but of course if we perform in this way we don't have a chance," he said in his post-match press conference. "I know the momentum they have. 

"For many years they're looking forward to being in this position. We know exactly what to do to play better and we're going to try to do it."

Asked about his decision to leave out Haaland and De Bruyne for a second game running, Guardiola said: "Who knows if with Erling and Kevin it would have been different? 

"But when you play for four competitions it's important to use every player in the squad."

City suffered defeat inside 90 minutes of an EFL Cup tie for just the third time in 30 matches under Guardiola, who has won the competition four times in seven seasons.

The loss – City's fourth in 28 games this campaign – came just three days on from a superb performance in seeing off Chelsea 4-0 in third round of the FA Cup.

And Guardiola accepts there could be no complaints with his side's two-goal reverse at St Mary's Stadium.

"It was a bad night. I know them quite well. We didn't get close to what we are," he said. "Three days after facing Chelsea... I've nothing to say. 

"They were better, we congratulate them and accept it. We have to be prepared every single game when you play for Manchester City. Today we were not."

City defeated United 6-3 when the sides last met in October and are seeking a Premier League double over the Red Devils in a single season for the sixth time ever.

Ilkay Gundogan, who played the full 90 minutes against Southampton, is hoping the cup setback can spark some life into City heading into the derby.

"There's no room for any mistakes [against United], or for any poor performances like today," he told the club's official website.

"Hopefully, if there is something good we can take out of this game today, it was something like a wake-up call at the right time.

"Even though it is sad and disappointing to be out of this cup, hopefully, at the end, in a few weeks we can at least look back and take something good out of this game."

Pep Guardiola admits Manchester City were deservedly beaten by Southampton as they were "not prepared" for Wednesday's EFL Cup quarter-final tie.

Below-strength City were defeated 2-0 by the Premier League's bottom side at St Mary's Stadium through goals from Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo.

City made five changes for the contest, which followed three days on from an FA Cup third-round win against Chelsea and precedes Saturday's derby against Manchester United.

The visitors failed to register a single shot on target for the first time in a game this season, while their overall tally of seven shots is also a new low for the campaign.

After City suffered defeat inside 90 minutes of an EFL Cup tie for just the third time in 30 matches under Guardiola, the Catalan coach accepted his side were second best.

"The better team won," he told BBC Sport. "We didn't play good. We didn't play well in the start. There are many games you can start not good but recover and we didn't do it.

"When you are not prepared to play this game, you arrive one inch late and don't score a goal. When you are prepared, you score the goal.

"Tonight was a bad night, the opponent was better so we have to congratulate them. To win games you have to deserve it and tonight we didn't deserve it."

 

Kevin De Bruyne was brought on at half-time as part of a triple substitution, while Erling Haaland entered the fray soon after, but neither could make an impact for City.

Defeat for City was just their fourth in 28 matches this season, and their first since returning to action following the World Cup break.

While it was a hugely disappointing outing for City, Southampton celebrated back-to-back wins for the first time under Nathan Jones, who had been under pressure following a poor start to his tenure.

Following Southampton's second win in 16 meetings with City under Guardiola, Jones wants his players to push on in their battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

"We want to be hard to beat. This has to be our benchmark, the level we attain to. We had a lot of good situations today. It's a step in the right direction," he told Sky Sports.

"I'm really proud of the players, of myself and the coaches. We've gone through a lot recently, people questioning a lot of things. 

"That goes a little way to justifying why we're here and what team we're trying to create. I'm really proud of the club tonight and how we've come through a tough time."

Pep Guardiola's decision to name an understrength starting line-up backfired as Manchester City were beaten 2-0 by Southampton in Wednesday's EFL Cup quarter-final tie.

Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ederson were among City's substitutes at St Mary's with Saturday's league game against Manchester United in mind.

That proved costly as Sekou Mara and Moussa Djenepo – profiting from some poor Stefan Ortega positioning – had the Premier League's bottom side two goals up at half-time.

The arrivals of De Bruyne and Erling Haaland gave City slightly more of an attacking edge, but they could not find a route back into the game as they suffered a shock exit.

Ortega did well to turn aside Duje Caleta-Car's low effort, but there was no stopping Mara's first-time shot after the forward got in front of Kyle Walker to convert Lyanco's cross.

Southampton had a second five minutes later when Djenepo cut inside, spotted Ortega well off his line and executed his lobbed finish from 30 yards to perfection.

Guardiola took action at the break by making a triple substitution, with Haaland also brought on 10 minutes later, but City's response did not arrive on the south coast.

The visitors failed to register a single shot on target as they lost for the fourth time in 28 matches this season, and the first time since the World Cup break.

The Football Association (FA) will consider disciplinary action against clubs whose supporters "engage in discriminatory behaviour", including 'rent boy' chants.

It has been a familiar occurrence in recent years at Chelsea matches for opposition fans to use the chant, which in January 2022 was defined as a hate crime by the Crown Prosecution Service.

The chant was audible during Manchester City's FA Cup third-round win against the Blues on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, and City confirmed after the match they would be looking into the matter along with the FA.

A statement issued by the FA on Wednesday said it "strongly condemns all offensive, abusive and discriminatory chanting in football stadiums, and is determined to stamp this behaviour out".

Sunday's incident was the third of its kind in the space of a week, with the FA also investigating distasteful chants used by Nottingham Forest fans during their 1-1 Premier League draw against the Blues, and by Manchester United supporters during their FA Cup win against Everton, apparently aimed at former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard.

The statement continued: "Today, The FA has formally written to all clubs across the Premier League, EFL [English Football League], National League, Women's Super League, Women's Championship and Steps 2-4, to remind them that it can pursue formal disciplinary action against any club whose supporters engage in discriminatory behaviour, now including the use of the term 'rent boy'.

"This important step follows the recent successful prosecution of an individual by the Crown Prosecution Service for homophobic abuse, specifically relating to the term 'rent boy'.

"The FA has now informed all clubs that it considers the 'rent boy' chant to be a breach of the FA Rules. These rules apply to the conduct of supporters at both home and away fixtures, and clubs at all levels of English football have a responsibility to ensure their spectators behave appropriately when attending matches.

"The FA takes all allegations of discrimination extremely seriously and would encourage anybody who has been subject to, or a witness of incidents of discrimination, to report it to The FA, the club or the relevant authorities so it can be investigated thoroughly.

"Together English football can drive meaningful and positive change so that stadiums can be a safe and enjoyable environment for all."

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has no doubt Phil Foden has the capability to play at the heart of midfield.

Foden, used mostly on the wing for both club and country, has often been touted as a future central midfielder.

He has played in the role occasionally for City, including in Sunday's 4-0 hammering of Chelsea in the FA Cup.

Having struggled to get into the game when playing on the flank in City's 1-0 Premier League win at Stamford Bridge three days earlier, Foden looked sharp in a central role and capped off a sublime team move to put City 3-0 up.

Guardiola believes Foden is learning the role, as he compared the 22-year-old's ability to City great David Silva, who moved from the wing to midfield during his 10-year stint at the club.

"He can play inside, but inside you have more attributes to do more things and pay attention more because there are more people, it is not just 'I am going to press and run', it is when and where," said Guardiola ahead of City's EFL Cup tie with Southampton.

"The spaces are minor. Wider you have time but what is important is Phil has the quality to play in these small, small spaces, it is not easy to find.

"Bernardo [Silva] and David Silva can do it and Gundo goes close to the pockets of the central defenders – Phil has the quality and ability to do it.

"He is really good in small spaces, the goal he scored [against Chelsea], he is there. The action is good, the overlap from Kyle [Walker] and the right moment, the right tempo, the pass from Riyad [Mahrez], but in that moment he is there and to score a goal you have to be there.

"In that position, especially when they play five at the back it is important to have an extra player there. We maybe missed it a bit [in the draw] against Everton.

"Phil has these attributes. Of course he can play wider on both sides, he played top class in the last years playing wider but he can play in the middle."

 

What did the data say?

Foden had 45 touches against Chelsea, with 41 coming in open play.

That was the most he had managed in a City match since November 12, when he had 80 in a defeat to Brentford. Indeed, bar that game, the last time Foden had more touches was against Sevilla in the Champions League on November 2; he had 64 on that occasion, playing in central midfield.

Guardiola will want more creativity from the England international should he play in the role. Against Sevilla, Foden crafted three chances and had 10 touches in the opposition box – he only managed four in Sunday's game, albeit one of those was that fine finish to put the game to bed, and did not create a goalscoring opportunity.

Foden attempted 34 passes, more than only Julian Alvarez (18) of City's starters, completing 29 of those, while he won three of his six duels.

Gareth Bale's retirement announcement sparking a new wave of golf-related jokes and memes was par for the course – he might not have expected Pep Guardiola to chip in, though.

The Wales great confirmed on Monday his career in professional football has come to an end after representing his country at the 2022 World Cup.

Despite his brilliance as footballer over the years, it is certainly not the only sport Bale is closely associated with.

During his time in Madrid, Bale's penchant for taking to the golf course while injured began to tee Los Blancos fans off, and former player Predrag Mijatovic once suggested the Welshman's priorities were "Wales, then golf, and after that, Real Madrid".

Wales fans subsequently turned it into a chant and slogan, with Bale even among the players holding a flag that read "Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order" as the team celebrated reaching Euro 2020.

Ever since, it has been a running joke largely used to poke fun at Madrid, and Guardiola – while paying tribute to the 33-year-old – made the most of a gimme opportunity with a quip of his own.

When first asked if he had ever tried to sign Bale, Guardiola said with a grin: "Too expensive.

"What a player. Fantastic career, won a lot of things, and I think he represented Wales and won more than 100 caps.

"And now he will become a fantastic golf player."

While Guardiola may not have ever invited Bale to join him at Manchester City, Bayern Munich or Barcelona despite occasional links, it seems he did approach him about hitting the course.

Bale's unavailability then meant they were unable to iron out the details, but he appears likely to get another offer soon.

Guardiola added: "He was busy, but now maybe he has time, I will invite him again."

Pep Guardiola is confident Kalvin Phillips can find his stride after a slow start to his career at Manchester City.

In December, Guardiola said the England international returned from the World Cup "overweight" and "not in the right condition to train", with Phillips yet to find his feet at Etihad Stadium following a move from Leeds United.

Six appearances this season have all come off the bench, including 32 minutes in Sunday's FA Cup victory over Chelsea – only the second time he has played more than 15 minutes for the club.

It has been reported Phillips will make his long-awaited first start for the club against Southampton and, while not confirming whether that is true, Guardiola expects him to reach City's requisite standard. 

"He's always ready. He needed a little bit of time but he's ready," Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday.

"We have to see [if he will start] but he's intelligent and normally a holding midfielder. He has an incredible work ethic, was educated at Leeds under Marcelo [Bielsa].

"He's committed in every game, there are patterns and movements that need time and games though. He arrived and had injuries, which meant he couldn't be there, but step by step he will get there."

Guardiola also feels facing Southampton, under Nathan Jones, leaves his side having to adjust to the new approach their opponents will adopt.

"It's an away game, so obviously it would have been better at home. They're in a difficult position, they have a new manager and are still getting used to it," he added.

"We knew Ralph [Hasenhuttl's] style of play, and now they have a changed style and different patterns, so we will have to adapt to that. We have to do our best to reach the semi-final."

Manchester City have condemned homophobic chants from some of their own supporters during Sunday's FA Cup tie with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's side eased to a 4-0 victory to eliminate Graham Potter's side and set up a fourth-round tie with Premier League leaders Arsenal, should Mikel Arteta's side defeat Oxford United on Monday.

A section of home fans could be heard chanting "Chelsea rent boys", which in January 2022 was defined as a hate crime by the Crown Prosecution Service.

City confirmed after the match they are looking into the matter along with the Football Association (FA).

"Manchester City strongly condemns the behaviour of a minority of fans who engaged in discriminatory chanting at today's match," a club statement read.

"We are proud to celebrate inclusivity in football and ask all fans to join us in creating a positive environment and atmosphere, where everyone is welcomed, accepted and has a fantastic matchday experience."

Sunday's incident is the third of its kind in the past week, with the FA also investigating chants used by Nottingham Forest fans during their 1-1 Premier League draw against Chelsea, and by Manchester United supporters during their FA Cup win against Everton.

An FA spokesperson said: "We strongly condemn the use of the term 'rent boy' and we are determined to drive it out of our game. We continue to work closely with the Crown Prosecution Service, as well as the UK Football Policing Unit, in relation to the use of this term.

"Part of our work in this area has been to provide the relevant authorities with impact statements from LGBTQ+ supporters, detailing how chants of this nature affects their experience and feeling of inclusion at football matches, so that a clearer stance and understanding on the chant can be established.

"We stand firmly against all forms of discrimination and we are striving to ensure our game is a safe environment for all, which truly embraces diversity and challenges hateful conduct both on and off the pitch."

Pep Guardiola has called for Graham Potter to be given more time as Chelsea manager, after Manchester City handed his opposite number a heavy FA Cup defeat.

The Blues suffered a second loss in the space of four days against the Premier League champions, losing 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Potter hit out at his critics earlier this month, stressing he needs time and patience from both fans and owner Todd Boehly in order to implement his vision.

Guardiola is in agreement, believing the circumstances he experienced in leading Barcelona to the treble in his first season in charge in 2008-09 to be unique.

"I would say to Todd Boehly, it was a pleasure to meet him, but give him time," he said. "I know results are important in big clubs but I would say give him time.

"I think the second half today is what he is and what he did in Brighton was outstanding. All the managers need time and he was right. We need time in the first season.

"I had results in Barcelona in the first season but we had Lionel Messi so one season was enough. But yes, everyone is an idiot [in football management].

"To play against Man City at the level we are at in the Carabao Cup or FA Cup is not easy. Not for Graham, Chelsea or any team."

A Riyad Mahrez double, alongside goals for Julian Alvarez and Phil Foden, helped ease City's passage into the fourth round, where Arsenal or Oxford United await.

Algeria international Mahrez in particular was in fine form, and was happy to let his World Cup-winning team-mate Alvarez take an earlier penalty before he converted his own spot-kick later.

"I was going to take the first one but Julian asked me, so I said of course he could take it," he told BBC Sport. "He’s a striker, when he scores it’s good for him. I wanted to take the second.

"Every season we try to be involved in every competition, we’re still in all of them. We have to keep going, we deserve it with the way we play."

Chelsea's poor run under Graham Potter continued as Manchester City cruised to an emphatic 4-0 victory in the FA Cup third round.

Three days on from going down 1-0 to City in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea capitulated at the Etihad Stadium.

Riyad Mahrez's stunning free-kick, Julian Alvarez's penalty and Phil Foden's close-range finish had City all but through by half-time on Sunday.

A late Mahrez spot-kick provided the fourth as City look forward to a possible fourth-round meeting with league leaders Arsenal – who must defeat Oxford United to make that tie – while Chelsea showed little sign that immediate improvement under Potter is on the horizon.

Cole Palmer should have done better early on, but City did not have to wait long for their lead – Mahrez curling a brilliant free-kick into the top-right corner after being fouled by Lewis Hall 25 yards from goal.

Kai Havertz's desperate handball gifted City a chance for a second following a VAR check, and World Cup winner Alvarez's penalty snuck in under Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Mahrez was key to an exceptional third goal to put the tie to bed, sliding a perfectly weighted pass through to Kyle Walker, whose cutback was expertly turned home by Foden.

Chelsea had their first shot in the 55th minute, but Stefan Ortega was hardly troubled by Mason Mount's effort.

At the other end, Chelsea could not avoid further damage as Kalidou Koulibaly clattered into Foden late on.

Mahrez made no mistake from the spot, slamming high down the middle to cap a superb win and a miserable day for Chelsea, who exited in the third round for the first time since the 1997-98 season.

The winners of Manchester City's FA Cup third-round clash with Chelsea will face Premier League leaders Arsenal or Oxford United.

Top-flight champions City host Chelsea on Sunday, with Arsenal's bid for a record-extending 15th FA Cup success beginning with a visit to the League One U's on Monday.

Holders Liverpool, who overcame Chelsea on penalties in the 2022 final, will head to Brighton and Hove Albion if they can get past a replay with Wolves.

Manchester United host a Reading side managed by former midfielder Paul Ince, while Tottenham head to second-tier Preston North End.

Sheffield Wednesday's prize for stunning Newcastle United is a home draw against fellow League One side Fleetwood Town, while non-League high-flyers Wrexham welcome Sheffield United.

Elsewhere, West Ham head to third-tier Derby County, and struggling Southampton will take on Blackpool after the Seasiders dumped out Nottingham Forest.

Ties will be played on the weekend of 28 January.

FA Cup fourth-round draw in full:

Preston North End v Tottenham

Southampton v Blackpool

Wrexham v Sheffield United

Ipswich Town v Burnley

Manchester United v Reading

Luton Town or Wigan Athletic v Grimsby Town

Derby County v West Ham

Stoke City v Aston Villa or Stevenage

Blackburn Rovers v Forest Green Rovers or Birmingham City

Walsall v Leicester City

Sheffield Wednesday v Fleetwood Town

Manchester City or Chelsea v Oxford United or Arsenal

Bristol City or Swansea City v Chesterfield or West Brom

Brighton and Hove Albion v Liverpool or Wolves

Fulham v Sunderland

Boreham Wood or Accrington Stanley v Cardiff City or Leeds United

Graham Potter is optimistic Todd Boehly will not prove as trigger-happy as Roman Abramovich while Chelsea fight to save their season.

Just one win from their last eight Premier League games has seen the Blues sink into mid-table, now 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Hopes of reaching the Champions League qualifying places are fading, while Manchester City have already dumped them out of the EFL Cup, beaten them in the league, and could repeat the treatment in the FA Cup third round at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

Chelsea have a Champions League last-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund still to look forward to, but emerging from their present slump is paramount, especially for Potter's future as head coach.

He was prised away from Brighton and Hove Albion in September after owner Boehly ditched Champions League-winning boss Thomas Tuchel, in a move that had echoes of the ruthlessness of the Abramovich era.

Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market however, a sign they are prepared to invest heavily to bring results, with Potter the man responsible for getting the wins.

He is surprised there is intense scrutiny on him, saying it is "maybe different for me for some reason" as he pointed out how Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Jurgen Klopp needed time to build their teams at City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Comparing Chelsea now to the 19-year period when Abramovich called the shots, Potter said: "There's a completely different ownership than there was.

"This is hard for people to also get their head around because Chelsea for 20 years has been one thing, and now all of a sudden, it's different.

"But they still think back to what previously happened for 20 years. The reason for me to take the job was because you've got a chance to shape a club that's in a massive transitional period."

Potter said Chelsea have offered "fantastic" support and quipped that billionaire Boehly was "smarter than me, that's for sure".

"They understand the challenges that we have, and the direction we want to go in. I've been here four months, and five, six weeks of that have been lost to international football," he added.

"I think Pep was there a year before they won anything. And then obviously Mikel and Jurgen took a bit of time. But obviously it's maybe different for me for some reason."

Potter explained he shows anger at times and stressed he was not "some robot", while jokingly describing some reporters' questions as "stupid".

Addressing those reporters, Potter added: "There'll always be people that doubt. There will be people in here that will doubt, that's for sure. But I'm certainly not here to convince anybody. I'm here to do my work. And then if that convinces, then that's fine.

"I'm more confident now that we can achieve things than I was when I started the job because I understand the club and understand the players and understand what's needed. But obviously, with the past of Chelsea and the change of management, you can see why the questions are there."

Asked whether he recognised he was under pressure, Potter said: "I don't know, I don't read the newspapers, I stay away from social media."

He knows there is flak flying around though, and that some will never see the nuance.

"We've had a massive transition," Potter said. "Problems in terms of injuries don't make it easy to be stable. But it's sort of blah, blah, blah. You know people want to see results, and [they would say] 'Shut up Graham, what are you talking about, we need to win'."

Pep Guardiola is confident Kalvin Phillips is back to full fitness, having described the midfielder as 'overweight' following his return to Manchester City from the World Cup.

Phillips played twice for England in Qatar, coming on as a substitute against Wales and Senegal, but Guardiola was not entirely satisfied with his condition upon his return.

Having struggled with a shoulder injury during the first part of the season, which limited him to just one Premier League appearance, Phillips had to endure an extended wait to return for his second involvement in the league.

That came in Thursday's 1-0 Premier League triumph over Chelsea, where he was introduced off the bench in the 86th minute, and he is now pushing to make his first City start in the FA Cup against the Blues on Sunday.

While Guardiola is unsure whether he will be handed that opportunity, he believes Phillips is back in his best shape.

"I don't know whether Kalvin will play, on Sunday we will see. I had a good feeling last week, that he's back," he told reporters.

"He wanted to change our mind with the way he's going to play, maybe it will be a good lesson for him in the future.

"I have the feeling that a football player, for 12 months, has to be perfect, even on holiday. You can enjoy and do what you want but you must be ready because this game is so demanding.

"Last season with Leeds, for long parts he was injured, he came and couldn't train, he struggled with his shoulder. He fought to go to the World Cup, he got it.

"It was a long period without playing, without rhythm that was not there for five or six years. We need Kalvin, we need all the players."

Having beaten Chelsea in the Premier League, Guardiola is aware the Blues could change their approach for the FA Cup tie – particularly having been ravaged by injury issues, losing both Raheem Sterling and Christian Pulisic in the early stages of Thursday's game.

"It is better for us to play Chelsea at home with our fans, after a victory it is much better," he added.

"It will be a different game, maybe Graham [Potter] will change his shape, I know they are struggling with injuries. We have three days to think about it."

Arsenal and Tottenham are reportedly trying to pry centre-back Evan Ndicka away from Eintracht Frankfurt this month.

Ndicka, 23, arrived at the Bundesliga club in 2018, racking up 162 appearances since. He has played every minute of their 15 Bundesliga fixtures this season, helping them to reach the German mid-season break in fourth position.

Standing at an imposing 192cm tall with pace to burn, he fits the bill as a centre-back who can handle the physical demands of the Premier League, and his impressive traits are exactly why Frankfurt have been desperate to retain his services.


TOP STORY – PREMIER LEAGUE RIVALS BATTLE IT OUT FOR EXCITING CENTRE-BACK

Currently in the final year of his five-year contract, this will be the last opportunity Frankfurt get to cash in on their young talent, and they reportedly see the writing on the wall despite their desire to extend Ndicka's stay.

According to German publication FR, Ndicka's agents have been reaching out to Europe's elite clubs including Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus and Barcelona, but are said to have driven some away with their lucrative contract demands.

Previous reporting from Football London has claimed Arsenal had agreed to personal terms with Ndicka for a free move before Frankfurt's most recent improved contract offer, while Tottenham remain in the hunt.

Interested parties prepared to wait another six months could scoop him up on a free, but a transfer fee in January with so little time remaining on his contract could end up surprisingly affordable.


ROUND-UP

Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are all closely monitoring 19-year-old PAOK winger Giannis Konstantelias, who is believed to be worth in the range of £10million, per the Evening Standard.

– Foot Mercato is reporting Saudi Arabia side Al-Nassr are working on acquiring Eden Hazard to reunite him with former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

– According to Sport, Juventus have enquired about 33-year-old Barcelona left-back Jordi Alba as he enters the final six months of his contract.

Napoli have submitted a €19m offer for 22-year-old Angers and Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, per Foot Mercato.

– Sport is reporting 28-year-old Barcelona forward Memphis Depay would like to return to former club Manchester United.

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