The Latest From across the Globe

Top Stories

• Man Utd go Top with win at Burnley courtesy of Paul Pogba’s lone strike
• Keane’s Header sends Everton to Fourth on the log with Alex Iwobi also on target in win over Wolves
• Sheffield Utd gain first Premier league win of the campaign, as they conquered Newcastle on Tuesday night.

• Arsenal eye Summer move for Shakhtar Donetsk’s Manor Solomon.
• Martinelli’s injury not serious and could be available for Newscastle Clash.
• As Rob Holding Signs New Arsenal Deal.

Arsenal are monitoring the Shakhtar Donetsk winger Manor Solomon with a view to making the Ukrainian club an offer in the summer.

Solomon a 21-year-old Israeli winger whose stock has risen promptly after a succession of eye-catching Champions League performances in the past two seasons. Information gathered from close sources to the club understands Arsenal have held initial talks with the player’s camp, having scouted him heavily, and may firm up their interest during upcoming pre-season.

The past 15 months have brought a breakthrough at the highest level for Solomon, who scored against Real Madrid in both of Shakhtar’s shock wins against the La Liga club having also been on target when they visited Manchester City in November 2019. He scored a brilliant winner for Israel in their Nations league encounter against Scotland two months ago and has attracted the attention of numerous clubs in several top leagues.

Solomon, who can play across the front line, is likely to stay put in the current window. Arsenal will not have the funds to make expensive purchases this winter unless an unforeseen number of departures take place, and acquiring Solomon would take a substantial fee given his contract expires in December 2023. But the picture could well look different after May and Mikel Arteta remains keen to freshen up a squad that, despite its recent upturn, has struggled to convince for most of the season.

On the other hand, Arteta and Arsenal has been given a boost by news that exciting young forward, Gabriel Martinelli’s ankle injury is not serious. There were concerns Martinelli could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he went down in pain during the warm-up to Arsenal’s Fa Cup third-round tie with Newcastle on Saturday. He was pulled out of the starting XI and Arteta said after the game that he had found the player in tears. However, a scan on Monday found no major damage. Although the 19-year-old will miss Thursday’s match against Crystal Palace, there is a strong chance he will be available when Newcastle return to the Emirates for a Premier League fixture next Monday.

In other news, Arsenal have confirmed that defender Rob Holding has signed a new contract with the Club. The centre-back’s deal will run until 2024, with an option for a year further. Holding who has been very impressive for the Gunners since returning back from injury, has earned the trust of the Arsenal’s manager which prompted his approval for the new deal.

Premier League referees, and their Football League equivalents, will not be able to book players for close-contact celebrations or hugging opponents – both of which break Covid-19 protocols. Compliance officers will report from matches, rather than leaving coronavirus regulations in the hands of referees.

Transfer News

Real Madrid plan to sell six players this summer to raise funds for the signing of Paris St Germain’s France striker Kylian Mbappe, 22. Wales forward Gareth Bale, Brazil left-back Marcelo, Serbia striker Luka Jovic and Spanish trio Isco, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz are the players earmarked.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is considering bringing former manager Avram Grant back to Stamford Bridge to assist boss Frank Lampard.

Bayern Munich are set to sign 22-year-old Reading defender Omar Richards to a pre-contract agreement in anticipation of his contract expiring this summer. Everton and West Ham were also interested.

Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah, 23, is set to move to Bayer Leverkusen for £1.5m after turning down a contract extension at Old Trafford.

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly – heavily linked with Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United – would only be sold in the January transfer window if a team offered £100m for the 29-year-old Senegal international.

Wolves will not pursue Nuno Espirito Santo’s interest in Chelsea striker Oliver Giroud, 34, and Liverpool forward Divock Origi, 25, after telling their Portuguese coach he has no money to spend in January.

Midfielder Fernandinho, 35, could yet extend his stay with Manchester City as he is unsure whether to take up offers from Europe and South America when his contract ends in the summer.

AC Milan want to sign Chelsea’s 23-year-old English centre-back Fikayo Tomori on loan for the rest of the season.

Barcelona left-back Junior Firpo is set to stay at the Nou Camp during this transfer window despite interest in the 24-year-old Spaniard.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, 28, has the most market value of all the current Real Madrid players, says a report by audit specialists KPMG.

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has hit back at Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil’s dig that he would rather retire than play for Spurs. Mourinho said he would not want the 32-year-old German.

Leicester City and Algeria striker Islam Slimani, 32, is set to undergo a medical at French club Lyon on Wednesday.

Tottenham, Sheffield United, Rangers and Celtic are all interested in signing Wigan’s 19-year-old striker Kyle Joseph.

West Ham will need to raise their £7m bid if they are to beat Marseille to the signing of 26-year-old Poland and Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik.

Ipswich are interested in bringing in Preston attacker Josh Harrop, 25, in January.

Newcastle United’s takeover dispute with the Premier League is to be resolved in a “timely manner” – according to the league chief executive Richard Masters.

Monaco right-back Djibril Sidibe, 28, will turn down interest from Newcastle and Crystal Palace to stay with his current club.

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes confirms Rangers are looking to sign Scottish 23-year-old forward Scott Wright.