SPORTS

Abdou Diallo has been identified as a long-term replacement for Per Mertesacker, who is retiring next summer to take a role in Arsenal's academy.

The Reds agreed to pay a club-record £48m fee to last season's Bundesliga runners-up for Keita to move to Merseyside in the summer of 2018.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has scored five goals and registered two assists for Lazio this season. He is attracting interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Juventus.

Christensen has moved ahead of David Luiz in the Stamford Bridge pecking order following his impressive performances at the back for the Blues this season.

Robertson and Oxlade-Chamberlain have been regulars in the Liverpool starting XI in recent weeks and begun to impress onlookers after initially struggling for game time.

Philippe Coutinho and Antoine Griezmann are high on Barcelona's list of priority signings ahead of the January transfer window.

The Dutchman had been heavily linked with a move to Anfield in the summer but a move fell through as Southampton put their foot down.

David Luiz's last league appearance came in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Bournemouth on 28 October. He went on to make two more appearances since then, both were in the Champions League.

Manchester City are the latest club to join the chase for Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha. Arsenal and Chelsea have been previously linked with the former Manchester United man.

Luis Suarez has scored nine goals in the La Liga and is yet to open his scoring in the Champions League this season.

United boss Jose Mourinho has hinted that he could let Mkhitaryan leave the club in January after growing frustrated with his poor form.

Alexis Sanchez appears closer than ever to joining Manchester City after turning down a move to Hebi China Fortune in the Chinese Super League.

Bristol City fans can inspire the club to another win over Premier League opposition when Manchester United visit Ashton Gate in the Carabao Cup, according to Lee Johnson.

Atletico Madrid have beaten Barcelona to the signing of Villarreal sensation Rodri Hernandez in a deal worth €20m plus €5m in add-ons.

Hegazi joined the Baggies on a season-long loan from Egyptian outfit Al Ahly in the summer but has been deemed worthy of a permanent contract.

Athletic Bilbao 'keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has suffered an ill-time injury to his right foot amid reports linking him with a January move to Real Madrid.

Ryan Sessegnon has been on the radar of England's top clubs for a number of months, while brother Steven was part of the England Under-17 squad that won the World Cup in October.

Lingard and Frumes are said to be dating, but it is not known whether the long-distance couple are serious or not.

Barcelona midfielder Rafinha Alcantara has received the medical clearance to return to action only days before El Clasico at Real Madrid.

Congo winger has missed 12 months after rupturing his knee ligament against Manchester United last season.

Lanzini has been charged by the FA for diving to win a penalty against beleaguered Stoke City on Saturday (16 December).

Theo Walcott is in line for an Arsenal recall for the Carabao Cup tie against West Ham after recovering from a groin problem.

Jordi Alba has encouraged Barcelona to sign Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid ahead of the summer transfer window.

Allardyce has worked with both the Belgian and Frenchman at Crystal Palace and Blackburn Rovers respectively.

Manchester City will become untouchable if they are allowed to sign the best players, according to Antonio Conte.

Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo underlined their status as the dominant figures in world football as Real Madrid won the Fifa Cub World Cup.

Charlie Daniels and Josh King both left Bournemouth's 4-0 Premier League defeat to Liverpool early, while top scorer Callum Wilson missed the match altogether.

Van Gaal spent two seasons at Old Trafford and was sacked in May 2016 after guiding his side to an FA Cup triumph.

Tristar Gym coach Firas Zahabi says former UFC champion Georges St-Pierre will eventually return to the octagon for a big fight and did not rule out Conor McGregor as an opponent.