West Ham have reportedly signalled their willingness to sanction the permanent departure of struggling striker Niclas Fullkrug, but a potential return to the Bundesliga withWolfsburg has hit a significant snag due to administrative delays involving incoming sporting director Pirmin Schwegler and the German international's substantial salary package. The delay will have rival clubs across Europe on alert to the situation.

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The largely forgettable tenure of Fullkrug in London appears to be drawing to a premature close. Having arrived from Borussia Dortmund with a reputation as a traditional, hard-working target man capable of flourishing in the Premier League, the German international has struggled to adapt to the rigours of English football. Hampered by niggling injuries and an inability to fit into the Hammers' tactical system, Fullkrug has found himself on the periphery of the squad.

However, while West Ham chiefs have reportedly agreed that a sale is the best course of action for all parties in the upcoming transfer window, facilitating his exit is proving far more complex than a simple handshake deal. According to reports from , a return to his homeland is the striker's preferred option, with Wolfsburg said to already be in agreement over a fee with West Ham, but the deal is currently in a state of limbo due to a vacuum in the German club's hierarchy.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportThe Schwegler deadlock

The primary obstacle preventing an immediate agreement is the current restructuring of Wolfsburg's sporting department. The Bundesliga outfit have identified Schwegler as their new sporting director, a man tasked with overhauling the squad and identifying the necessary reinforcements to climb the table. However, Schwegler is not yet officially in his post.

The report details that until Schwegler has his feet under the desk and is fully operational in his new role, no major transfer decisions – particularly one as financially significant as signing a German international striker from the Premier League – can be signed off. While the will to complete the transfer exists on both the player's side and, seemingly, from Wolfsburg’s scouting department, the lack of an executive trigger-puller means negotiations cannot advance to the final stage.

West Ham, eager to recoup a portion of the fee they paid Dortmund and clear Fullkrug's wages from their books to fund their own January business, are reportedly growing impatient with the delay.

The wage barrier

Even if Schwegler were to arrive tomorrow, a significant financial hurdle remains: Fullkrug’s salary. Upon moving to the Premier League, the striker secured a lucrative contract reflective of the English top flight's financial dominance. indicates that his current earnings at West Ham are significantly higher than the salary structure currently in place at the Volkswagen Arena.

Wolfsburg, while backed by corporate owners, operate within a stricter financial framework than their Premier League counterparts. For the move to materialise, a compromise is essential. This would likely require Fullkrug to accept a substantial pay cut to return to the Bundesliga, or for West Ham to agree to a severance package or wage subsidy that makes the numbers work for the German club. As of now, neither solution has been finalised, adding another layer of complexity to the stalling talks.

Getty Images SportEuropean rivals circling

This paralysis has not gone unnoticed elsewhere in Europe. While Wolfsburg dither over directors and decimal points, other clubs are monitoring the situation with keen interest. The report highlights that Fullkrug’s availability has alerted teams in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A.

In England, there is always a market for a physical striker with international pedigree, and lower-half Premier League clubs looking to survive the drop may view Fullkrug as a gamble worth taking. Meanwhile, interest from Spain and Italy adds an intriguing dimension. La Liga clubs, often in search of a focal point for their attack, and Serie A sides, where the pace of the game might better suit Fullkrug’s style, have reportedly made inquiries.

For Fullkrug, the priority remains playing football. With the national team setup always in flux, he knows he cannot afford to spend another six months warming the bench at the London Stadium. Whether his escape route leads him back to the Bundesliga under Schwegler’s new regime, or to a fresh adventure in Europe, will likely depend on who can untangle the financial and administrative knots first. For now, West Ham are ready to sell, but the buyer is yet to step forward with a pen in hand.

The rich got richer Tuesday morning when the Dodgers signed Edwin Díaz, the top reliever on the market, to a three-year, $69 million contract. Díaz had opted out of the final two years of his contract with the Mets last month, and though New York reportedly offered him a three-year, $66 million deal to retain his services, Díaz elected to join the two-time defending World Series champions.

Dodgers Swiping Edwin Díaz Fixes Their Biggest Issue

Tom Verducci: Money doesn’t buy championships, but it sure helps to get out from mistakes. After dropping $72 million on closer Tanner Scott in January, a move that has yet to pay dividends, the Dodgers pivoted to the best closer in baseball, Edwin Díaz, at $69 million. Scott, who signed for four years with deferred money, posted a 4.74 ERA and missed the final three postseason rounds on the IL.

Last offseason, the Dodgers dropped $107 million on free agents Scott, Blake Treinen and Kirby Yates, but wound up scrambling to convert Roki Sasaki to closer for the postseason. The Dodgers clinched the past two World Series with a starter coming out of the bullpen: Walker Buehler and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The addition of Díaz ends those days of scrambling to figure out an endgame.

Díaz opted out of two years and $38 million remaining on his five-year, $102-million record contract with the Mets. The Dodgers added one year and $31 million to what he had left on the table, setting a new standard for closers at $23 million per year.

Díaz turns 32 in March and is building a Hall of Fame résumé: 253 saves, three All-Star teams, a strikeout rate of 14.5 per nine innings and remarkable consistency.

Edwin Díaz’s Refusal of Mets’ Offer Should Sting New York

Will Laws: The Mets offered Edwin Díaz a three-year, $66 million contract, according to the ’s Joel Sherman. That’s just $1 million less per year than what the accomplished closer signed for with the Dodgers on Tuesday.

That information certainly paints the picture that Díaz was happy to leave New York for Los Angeles. Considering how early it is in the offseason and Mets owner Steve Cohen’s deep pockets, it’s hard to believe the Mets wouldn’t have matched the Dodgers’ offer.

Three years ago, Díaz re-signed with the Mets on a five-year, $102 million deal—then the richest-ever deal for a reliever. Since then, the Mets have missed the playoffs twice and lost in the NLCS to the Dodgers, who have won the last two World Series.

It’s hard not to take Díaz’s decision as a referendum on how he perceives them as contenders.

Dodgers Once Again Sign the Market’s Top Reliever

Nick Selbe: If at first you don't succeed, spend, spend again. That's apparently the strategy Andrew Friedman & Co. are adopting in addressing their glaring need in the bullpen, signing Díaz to a $69 million deal one winter after giving $72 million to Tanner Scott. Scott was a disappointment in his first year with Los Angeles, leading the league with 10 blown saves and failing to make a single postseason appearance.

The Dodgers will hope Díaz can do what Scott couldn't: make ninth-inning leads a foregone conclusion. The former Met can be erratic year-to-year—he's alternated between ERAs in sub-2.00 range to mid-3.00 or worse over the past eight seasons—but possesses elite swing-and-miss stuff every contender craves in high-leverage situations.

Not many teams would green light spending $141 million for two relief pitchers in consecutive years, but the back-to-back champs aren't like any other organization.

After landing in the Bronx via a trade by the Cubs last winter, Cody Bellinger could be on the move for the second offseason in a row after he turned down a $25 million option from the Yankees to pursue a better deal. He should have a number of suitors.

In 2025, Bellinger slashed .272/.334/.489, with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. He had a solid wRC+ of 125 and produced 4.9 fWAR. It was arguably his best season since he was named NL MVP in 2019 as a member of the Dodgers.

Somehow, Bellinger is only 30 years old. He’s a two-time All-Star, has a World Series ring, is a good defender at all three outfield positions, and can play first base. Few players have the defensive versatility he boasts, while also providing pop at the plate.

Bellinger should receive a decent-sized contract this winter, and the following four teams could give it to him. For this exercise, we've ranked them from the weakest fit to the strongest, but all four teams are reasonable possibilities for the veteran free agent.

New York Mets

The Mets need to add to their offense and find another reliable outfielder. Bellinger fits perfectly. As noted, he provides solid defense at all three outfield spots and can play first if needed. New York’s center fielders ranked 27th in OPS (.598) during the 2025 season while slashing .210/.284/.314. An upgrade is sorely needed.

Additionally, Pete Alonso’s knockdown, drag-out free agency saga last season could have left some bruises and might lead both parties to walk away this winter. If that happens, the Mets will need to find a power bat. Bellinger has a career 144 wRC+ at Citi Field and would have no problem fitting in.

New York Yankees

Bellinger obviously fits back with the Yankees, but only if they aren’t totally sold on going full-time with youngsters Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones. Bellinger and Trent Grisham are free agents, as is Paul Goldschmidt. That’s 73 home runs New York has to replace. Bellinger was second on the team in WAR this season (5.1), and he at Yankee Stadium. In 80 home games in 2025, Bellinger slashed .302/.365/.544 with 18 home runs, 55 RBIs, and a wRC+ of 151. The Yankees know what he can do, and he might be a safer bet than going elsewhere in free agency.

Seattle Mariners

With Josh Naylor and Eugenio Suarez both off to free agency, the Mariners need to solidify their corner infield spots. Bellinger could step right in at first base and give Seattle a left-handed bat with some thump. He could also move to the outfield, as Seattle’s right fielders ranked 28th in OPS (.618) this season, slashing an anemic .222/.281/.337. Bellinger would be an immediate upgrade.

In 11 career games at T-Mobile Park, he is slashing .333/400/.600, with three home runs and a wRC+ of 173. The Mariners came painfully close to reaching their first World Series. If they want to get over the hump in 2026, they’re going to need to spend.

Cleveland Guardians

If Cleveland follows through with trading Steven Kwan, the team’s need for outfield help will be even more dire. Chase DeLauter made his debut in the postseason and should help things, but adding a veteran bat like Bellinger’s would give the lineup a boost. It’s worth noting, he has an .831 career OPS at Progressive Field, with a wRC+ of 109.

Guardians center fielders ranked dead last in OPS this season (.574), and slashed .199/.256/.318, and Bellinger is more than capable of improving on that.

علق مايكل أوين، أسطورة ليفربول السابق على تصريحات محمد صلاح الأخيرة بعد مباراة ليفربول وليدز يونايتد ضمن منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي.

وخرج صلاح مساء أمس بعد انتهاء المباراة وتحدث لوسائل الإعلام وفتح النار على الجميع وعلى رأسهم مدربه آرني سلوت، بسبب جلوسه على دكة البدلاء لثلاث مباريات متتالية، (للمطالعة على التفاصيل اضغط هنا).

كان ليفربول قد تعادل أمام ليدز يونايتد بثلاثة أهداف لمثلها بعدما كان الريدز متقدمًا بنتيجة 2/0 في المباراة وكل الأمور كانت تسير بشكل إيجابي.

ويتواجد ليفربول في المركز الثامن في جدول ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، ليبتعد الريدز تمامًا عن المراكز المتقدمة في المسابقة.

بعدما خرج محمد صلاح وتحدث لأول مرة عن وضعه مع آرني سلوت، انقلبت وسائل الإعلام العالمية وخاصةً الإنجليزية، كما علق الكثير من اللاعبين السابقين مثل أوين.

وكت أوين عبر صفحته الرسمية على موقع التواص الاجتماعي “إكس”: “أوه مو، أنا أتخيل شعورك، لقد حملت هذا الفريق طويلًا وفزت بكل شيء”.

وأكمل: “لكن هذه لعبة جماعية، ولا يمكنك ببساطة قول ما قُلته بشكل علني، ستشارك في كأس الأمم الإفريقية بعد أسبوع، بالتأكيد ستخفي مشاعرك وغضبك، استمتع بتمثيل بلدك، وسترى كيف ستكون الأمور عند عودتك؟”.

Oh @mosalah 🫣 I can imagine how you feel. You’ve carried this team for a long time and won everything there is to win. But this is a team game and you simply can’t publicly say what you’ve said. You’re going to afcon in a week. Surely you bite your lip, enjoy representing your… — Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) December 7, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Acabou o Campeonato Brasileiro e, consequentemente, acabou a agonia do torcedor paulista. Uma temporada para esquecer do maior torneio mais importante do calendário nacional. Agora, resta apenas a Copa do Brasil, na qual o Corinthians é semifinalista.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasCorinthiansCom futuro incerto, Maycon sonha com título da Copa do Brasil para ‘marcar nome’ no CorinthiansCorinthians09/12/2025Futebol NacionalCBF revela arbitragem de Cruzeiro x Corinthians pela Copa do BrasilFutebol Nacional08/12/2025

O melhor time paulista foi superado pelo Flamengo. E mesmo que Abel Ferreira venha a público todos os dias exaltar a campanha do Palmeiras, nenhum palmeirense está orgulhoso por ter terminado o ano sem nada na temporada em que mais gastou dinheiro da história e que teve elenco para ganhar tudo.

No último ato do ano, o São Paulo perdeu para o Vitória jogando mal. Um pequeno resumo do que foi o Brasileiro do time.

➡️Tironi no Lance! Confira todas as colunas

O Santos terminou em “festa”. Não pela posição no campeonato, mas por não ter sido rebaixado.

O Bragantino fez o que dele se espera e ficou no meio do caminho. O Mirassol é a exceção, o único motivo verdadeiro de orgulho do Estado.

Corinthians vive em uma gangorra

E chegamos ao Corinthians, que vive em uma gangorra. Qual lado vai pender? Ninguém sabe. Mas o clube topou viver perigosamente no ano dentro e fora de campo. Afundado em dívidas e sob punição de um transfer ban, terminou o Brasileiro como o pior entre os times do Estado.

continua após a publicidade

Mas está mirando uma tábua de salvação, a Copa do Brasil. A conquista não vai nem mesmo fazer cócegas na dívida bilionária, mas deixará o clube como o paulista de maior sucesso no ano.

A aposta é alta. A não ser que Dorival Júnior esteja escondendo o jogo, o Corinthians está longe de praticar um futebol de alto nível. Mas, como se sabe, o mata-mata propicia surpresas e o treinador no banco especializou-se neste tipo de competição.

➡️Garro e Yuri Alberto treinam parcialmente e viram esperança para a semifinal
➡️Hugo Souza revela sonho com a Copa do Mundo e desabafa: ‘Estava desempregado’
➡️Maycon não vê Cruzeiro como favorito na Copa do Brasil: ‘Somos o Corinthians’

continua após a publicidade

O ano corintiano está por um fio.

Tironi no Lance!: veja mais colunas

Eduardo Tironiescreve sua coluna noLance!às terças e sextas-feiras abordando o futebol paulista. Confira abaixo mais publicações do colunista:

➡️Abel e os asteriscos
➡️Palmeiras seguirá forte. Mas Abel precisa dar um passo adiante
➡️Abel procura um novo talismã para a Libertadores?
➡️Qual é o verdadeiro São Paulo: o da diretoria ou de Crespo?

Tudo sobre

Copa do BrasilCorinthiansFutebol Nacional

India’s selectors are due to pick the squads for the white-ball tour of Australia on Saturday

Yash Jha03-Oct-2025India’s selection panel, which includes RP Singh and Pragyan Ojha for the first time, is meeting on Saturday to pick the squads for the ODI and T20I tour of Australia beginning on October 19. It is likely to mark the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are retired from T20Is and Tests and haven’t represented India since the Champions Trophy victory in March.The tour begins with three ODIs on October 19, 23 and 25, followed by five T20Is between October 29 and November 8. Here are some of the key questions ahead of the selection.Should the all-format players get a break?After a rare break following the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in England, India have a packed calendar, with the Asia Cup followed by the ongoing two-Test series versus West Indies, and the first ODI in Australia scheduled five days after the end of the second Test. Less than a week after the fifth T20I in Australia, India host South Africa for a two-Test series followed by three ODIs and five T20Is.Three players appear to be certainties in all three formats: Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. Given the workloads, the quick turnarounds between formats, and the fact that the next major ODI tournament is the World Cup in 2027, India might consider resting these players for the ODIs in Australia. If they are picked for the 50-overs games, they could be released midway through the T20I series to prepare for the Tests against South Africa.If Gill were to be rested for the ODIs, Yashasvi Jaiswal – who was withdrawn from the Champions Trophy squad after being named in the provisional squad – should be his replacement. He could also join Abhishek Sharma at the top in the T20Is.Will Jasprit Bumrah get a break?•Associated PressWhile Kuldeep does not have a like-for-like replacement, India might have to reconfigure the spin-heavy squads they picked for the ODI Champions Trophy and the T20 Asia Cup to suit Australian conditions.Who’s in for Hardik Pandya?Hardik Pandya missed the Asia Cup final with a left quadriceps injury and there are doubts over his availability for the tour of Australia too. Nitish Kumar Reddy is an option to join Shivam Dube as the seam-bowling allrounder in the T20I squad.The replacement for Hardik in ODIs is an interesting question: Dube played the last of his four ODIs in Sri Lanka last year, while Reddy is yet to feature in the format. The 2027 ODI World Cup is in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. India will want to explore their options for seam-bowling allrounders as back-up for Hardik, and Australia might be the right place to get started.Who are the specialist quicks?Arshdeep Singh and Harshit Rana are Nos. 1 and 2 in the line behind Bumrah – both were part of India’s squads at the Asia Cup as well as the Champions Trophy. But who is the third specialist fast bowler should Bumrah be rested in either, or both, formats in Australia?Mohammed Siraj could be in line for an ODI comeback, having last played in Sri Lanka over a year ago. Prasidh Krishna is an option too, should India prefer his hit-the-deck style as a middle-overs enforcer. Prasidh – the Purple Cap winner at IPL 2025 – is the likely third seamer in the T20I squad if Bumrah is rested.Will Tilak Varma make it to the ODI squad?•AFP/Getty ImagesSpin allrounders: who and how many?India’s most recent ODI and T20I squads have featured several spin allrounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar were at the Champions Trophy, while Axar played the Asia Cup where Washington, along with Riyan Parag, was a standby.A similar number of spin allrounders is unlikely given the conditions: it’s hard to see India picking both Jadeja and Axar in an ODI in Australia, and the series could be a good opportunity to blood some seam-bowling allrounders instead.Parag featured in both white-ball teams last year, and had scores of 67 and 58 in two List A games for India A against Australia A this week. Tilak Varma – who scored 94 in the second of those matches after his Asia Cup final heroics – could also be a contender for the ODI squad.No Pant – who’s back-up wicketkeeper in the ODI squad?Rishabh Pant is unlikely to make it to the squads for Australia as he is still recovering from the fractured foot he suffered in England. While he hasn’t played a T20I since August 2024, Pant was India’s back-up wicketkeeper to KL Rahul at the Champions Trophy.Sanju Samson’s last ODI was in December 2023 in South Africa, where he batted No. 3 and scored his maiden hundred. Jitesh Sharma and Dhruv Jurel are the other wicketkeepers to feature in India’s recent T20I squads, but neither has compelling List A credentials.

A BCB spokesperson confirmed the news, saying that the board has received a letter from the BCCI saying that the white-ball series will be scheduled at a later date

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Nov-2025

Bangladesh’s tour of India to play a series of three ODIs and three T20Is in December has been “postponed”.A BCB spokesperson confirmed the news to ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday, saying that the board has received a letter from the BCCI saying that the white-ball series will be scheduled at a later date.No specific reason has been given for the postponement but it is understood that the prevailing political tensions between India and Bangladesh was a key factor.The series, a part of the ICC’s future tours programme, was meant to be India’s last set of games before the start of the next edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and the only series between their triumphant ODI World Cup campaign and the WPL. The matches were expected to be played in Kolkata and Cuttack, with the ODIs kicking off the new cycle of the Women’s ODI Championship for both sides.Earlier this year, India men’s white-ball tour of Bangladesh, originally slotted for August 2025, was pushed to September 2026.”This decision has been reached following discussions between the two boards, taking into account the international cricketing commitments and scheduling convenience of both teams,” the BCCI had said in a statement at the time. “The BCB looks forward to welcoming India in September 2026 for this eagerly anticipated series. Revised dates and fixtures for the tour will be announced in due course.”

He delivered a masterclass in control and seam movement, dominating without taking a wicket and proving that perfection in bowling isn’t always measured by numbers

Sidharth Monga23-Oct-2025One of the idiosyncrasies of cricket is that not all new balls are the same. Sometimes you can end up with a bum ball that doesn’t swing. Sometimes you get a good one that hoops. So the choice is given to the bowling team. They pick out a new ball (two in ODIs) from a box of new balls. Usually the experienced fast bowler in a side does so. They look for balls that feel “small” in their hand. Which, you can imagine, might be a problem when Josh Hazlewood chooses the ball.Every ball seems small in Hazlewood’s hands. And he lets it go so beautifully from his high release point that if there is any seam movement available from the pitch, he is certain to get it. You give him some moisture in the pitch to work with, and you get the kind of spell for ages that Hazlewood delivered in Adelaide.Related

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It is not often that you watch a close match where the result margin is two wickets, and your lasting memory of the day is the work of a bowler who didn’t take any wicket. And yet, if rain or some other circumstance had ended the game at the 38th over of the first innings, the organisers would be justified in refusing any refunds because Hazlewood’s 10 overs for 29 runs had already been worth the gatemoney.Forty-three of the 60 deliveries were dots, 21 times he beat the bat, got the edge on six occasions, but was just not lucky enough to get a wicket. In an ODI that eventually featured runs at well over five an over, batters were in control only 55% of the time when facing Hazlewood. And he didn’t bowl to the tail. Fifteen of those 21 plays and misses were defensive shots.It is just his luck that Rohit Sharma comes out to play the only format he now plays for the first time in seven months and in front of him is Hazlewood on early-season Australian pitches with bounce and moisture. After getting done in in Perth, Rohit decided to give himself some time in Adelaide. He even played out two successive maidens from Hazlewood. It didn’t matter, though, how much time he gave himself. Hazlewood was not leaving the good length outside off with subtle changes in release. Some balls nipped away, some jagged back in. Even the ones that went straight on were so accurate you couldn’t take liberties with them.Like a fine machine, Hazlewood kept going on and on for seven overs with the new ball. Poor Rohit faced 31 of those 42 deliveries. Shreyas Iyer faced nine, and even in that brief period he was made to dance and fumble for the ball.Not once did Hazlewood go searching. He was happy to keep bowling the good length and wait for the wicket. If he didn’t get it, he was at least creating chances for the bowlers at the other end.After Hazlewood’s first spell was over and the movement settled down, Rohit and Iyer displayed their quality in scoring half-centuries. The vexing part, though, is that when Hazlewood came back for his second spell in the 34th over, the ball started nipping around again. It started to look small in his hands again. The high release, the high vertical speed, and whatever juice was still available was extracted again.On another day, Hazlewood could have easily walked away with a five-for with a performance of this quality. Somewhere in a deep sadistic corner of his heart, you wonder if he enjoys such tormenting of helpless batters just as much as he does taking wickets. Especially in limited-overs cricket, where these tight overs still have a significant impact on the wickets others get and the overall score.

Arsenal have now made a strong move to sign a “special” Paris Saint-Germain star, who is still yet to accept an offer to extend his stay at the Parc des Princes.

Gunners under pressure after Aston Villa defeat

The Gunners’ lead at the summit of the Premier League table was reduced to just two points on Saturday, after slipping up at Villa Park, with Emiliano Buendia netting a stoppage-time winner to secure all three points for the hosts.

Gary Neville has suggested the defeat shouldn’t be a major cause for concern, given that Aston Villa are a good side, saying: “That’s a game you can lose. I wouldn’t be panicking at all if I was Arsenal off the back of that. You’re going to lose a game or two, you just are, and you’re going to win a lot of games.”

However, after coming second three years on the spin, Mikel Arteta’s side may be feeling the pressure, with Manchester City now breathing down their necks, and the north Londoners are looking to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window.

That is according to a report from Le10 Sport (via Sport Witness), which states Arsenal have now made a strong move to sign Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola, who isn’t entirely happy at the French club, and is still yet to put pen to paper on a new contract.

PSG have made an offer to Barcola, which would see his salary increase significantly from £111k-a-week, but he is yet to commit to a new deal, amid interest from the Gunners and Premier League rivals Liverpool, who are very active contenders.

Arteta’s side have been interested in the French forward for quite some time, and the latest development is exciting, as there are plenty of signs he could be a fantastic addition to the squad…

"Special" Barcola could be exciting signing for Arsenal

With Gabriel Martinelli not in the best of form, receiving widespread criticism for some of his performances this season, it may be a savvy move to sign a new left-winger, and the PSG star has been in impressive form.

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Indeed, the 18-time France international has already amassed eight goal contributions in 18 matches this term, while also receiving very high praise from scout Ben Mattinson earlier this year, who described proved him as “one of the best left wingers in Europe”.

Not only that, but the 23-year-old also ranks extremely highly across a range of key attacking statistics over the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Statistic

Average per 90 (past year)

Assists

0.42 (95th percentile)

Progressive carries

5.13 (87th percentile)

Touches (Att pen)

8.72 (98th percentile)

Should the opportunity present itself, Arsenal should definitely step up their interest in Barcola, and it is promising news they have already made a strong move to secure his signature.

Liverpool have taken decisive action in the wake of Mohamed Salah’s shock outburst against the club, with the Egyptian superstar set to be left out of the Reds’ Champions League squad for the trip to Inter. The Premier League title holders are due to face Italian opposition at San Siro on Tuesday, and will do so without their leading goal-scorer from the last eight seasons.

Why has Salah been dropped by Liverpool?

Salah has been named among the substitutes in Liverpool’s last three fixtures. He stepped off the bench in a home draw with Sunderland, but saw no game time as the Reds headed out on the road to West Ham and Leeds.

It was in the wake of the trip to Elland Road, which delivered a dramatic 3-3 draw and more points dropped for Arne Slot’s side, that Salah opted to speak out and air his grievances in public. He accused his current employers of throwing him under the bus, believing he has become a scapegoat for the struggles being endured as a collective, and admitted to having no working relationship with his current head coach.

He said: "I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I'm sitting on the bench and I don't know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That's how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame." Salah added on his dealings with Slot: "I said many times before that I had a good relationship with the manager and all of a sudden, we don't have any relationship. I don't know why, but it seems to me, how I see it, that someone doesn't want me in the club."

AdvertisementGetty/GOALWho made the decision to exclude Salah from Champions League squad?

Plenty of criticism has come Salah’s way in the wake of his explosive comments, with many accusing the 33-year-old of allowing ego to get the better of him. He has suggested that past achievements should almost guarantee him a regular role with Liverpool.

The two-time Premier League champion has, however, seen it made clear to him that everybody – regardless of their standing at Anfield – must earn their place in the team. Salah will be left to reflect on that stance when his team-mates line up against Inter. is reporting that the decision to leave Salah out of the Reds’ travelling party was made “by the board and Arne Slot”.

Authority undermined: Why Slot had to make an example of Salah

Dutch tactician Slot was under pressure to make an example of Salah, with it vital that he does not allow his authority to be undermined by one frustrated individual. He has responded to calls for action to be taken.

The Egypt international did, however, take part in Liverpool’s training session on Monday. The Reds were put through their places ahead of boarding a plane to Italy. Salah will be left watching on from afar as his colleagues seek to deliver a positive response to the surprising 4-1 reversal they suffered at the hands of PSV in the club’s last European outing.

While Salah is likely to be forced to sit out a crunch clash with Inter, claims that his exclusion is not considered to represent “disciplinary action” by those working behind the scenes on Merseyside.

Instead the “step is viewed in isolation, rather than having a bearing on Salah’s possible selection going forward – including for Saturday’s Premier League game at home to Brighton & Hove Albion”. A home date with the Seagulls will be Liverpool’s last before Salah heads off on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Egypt.

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Getty ImagesJanuary transfer: Liverpool's stance on Salah exit talk

Salah has said, after accusing some of trying to force him out of Anfield, that he intends to bid farewell to Liverpool fans against Brighton. According to , the Reds are expecting him back.

They are said to “remain fully committed to Salah and his contract, which runs through until 2027, while maintaining that the current situation is temporary and can still be turned around”. Despite future rumours being sparked, Liverpool are “not currently planning for the forward’s exit, nor making plans to use the January transfer window for possible replacements”.