Soccer (FIFA)

Soccer (FIFA)

- Chelsea are the frontrunners in the race to sign AZ Alkmaar wonderkid , according to iNews. While the likes of Newcastle United and Manchester United are also keen on signing the 19-year-old midfielder, Chelsea have been quick to establish contact with the player's camp. Kees' transfer is valued at around the £25 million mark, although it's unclear if Chelsea would be willing to stump up such a sum in January. Newcastle, by contrast, are definitely pondering a move for the Netherlands international next month.

Midnight was fast approaching when Eddie Howe faced a curve-ball question: if he could be offered a draw at the Stadium of Light on Sunday would he accept it? If the typically straight-bat answer no chance, we prepare to win every game was expected, Howe's subsequent reaction spoke volumes about Sunderland's recent metamorphosis. Newcastle's manager was standing on a concrete concourse at the BayArena, where his team were hugely frustrated to have been held 2-2 by Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday, but his focus had switched to a potentially bigger challenge on Wearside.

I expect a very, very difficult game. Every time I see and analyse his team, I think they are extremely competitive. We are in a fine place - not an exceptional place, but a fine place. I expect us to go there with confidence and belief and a good chance of getting three points. I also expect it to be unbelievably difficult. It's nice to share experiences with good friends and colleagues like [Dyche].

Paul, everyone saw how important he is in the locker room. He's very humble and truly a key figure in the team.

Paris Saint-Germain held off a late fightback from Metz to win 3-2 at Stade Saint-Symphorien and go top in Ligue 1. Goncalo Ramos and Quentin Ndjantou gave PSG a two-goal cushion before Jessy Deminguet halved the deficit, but Desire Doue's strike shortly after the hour mark proved to be crucial as Giorgi Tsitaishvili set up a nervy finish. The reigning champions

I knew I'd be asked more about our opponents than about Alaves... it's not my place to comment on that, but Real Madrid are very prestigious opponents and they have a manager who's earned his position for a reason. It will be very difficult because they have a lot of resources, but we will try to maintain our style and take the initiative.

People said we were failures, and we were finished. But we are still up there and that is not to be taken for granted, considering what was said over the summer. Of course, we have margin for improvement, but we never wanted to lose our identity, our hunger, our desire to be dominant in Serie A and Europe. We are on the right track, and that is the most important thing.

I guess you've seen Sean Dyche's teams over the years. Are they easy or difficult to play against? Difficult. Very difficult. I expect a very, very difficult game against a team that's managed by a good colleague, a friend of mine in the game. And every single time I see his team, everything I'm analysing, they're extremely competitive. Then they play home. That's a difficult place to go.

Liverpool are reportedly preparing to make a decisive move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo once his 65 million release clause becomes active in January, according to The Mirror. The potential transfer comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding Mohamed Salah's future, as tensions continue to rise behind the scenes at Anfield. With Salah's situation becoming increasingly precarious, and Saudi clubs expected to reignite their interest in the Egyptian forward in the winter window, Liverpool are accelerating contingency plans to secure an attacking replacement.