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Dayot Upamecano would be “a great signing for Liverpool” admits John Barnes, but the Reds legend is not convinced that the RB Leipzig defender could be acquired in January or that rival interest can be fended off.

Jurgen Klopp continues to mull over his options when it comes to defensive reinforcements at Anfield.

With Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip taking in spells on the sidelines, the reigning Premier League champions have faced calls to bring in cover.

Various targets have been mooted, with France international Upamecano joined on that list by the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, David Alaba and Ben White.

No proven performer will come cheap in the winter window, though, while any top talent will be attracting admiring glances from outside of Anfield.

Barnes admits those issues present a problem for Klopp, with it possible that he may have to make do until senior stars step back off the treatment table.

The Reds legend told BonusCodeBets: “All top teams are looking at him (Upamecano), and the reason being is he’s one of the best centre-backs in the world.

“It would have been better had he been available now in January, because at the end of the season we might not need a centre-back or have the problems that we have now.

“If we sign a centre-back now for just short term, we then have another centre-back, alongside all the others that are going to be available next season.

“I feel that if any top player becomes available, any team will be looking at him, not just Liverpool. It's the same with Koulibaly at Napoli, he’s one wanted by a lot of other clubs also.

“But yes, Upamecano would be a great signing for Liverpool. He’s young, very talented and the right profile of player we should be looking at.

“It would be a good signing if we can get him of course, as there will be many other teams after him as well.” 

For now, Liverpool’s focus is locked on a crunch clash with old adversaries Manchester United – with the Red Devils due at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Klopp will have a number of players unavailable for that contest, but Spanish playmaker Thiago Alcantara is fully fit again and Barnes believes he can be a game-changer for the Reds against the right opposition.

He added on the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich midfielder: “It’s not a new way of playing for Liverpool just because they brought Thiago in, last season they dominated every single game in the league with possession. Except maybe when they played against Manchester City as they did take the lion’s share of the ball. 

“It didn't surprise me to see him involved against Aston Villa as these are the games when you have 70 or 80 per cent possession. Those games are made for Thiago.

“When you play against teams who are going to try and have as much possession as Liverpool do, you may need a more defensive midfield player in the middle of the pitch. The likes of [James] Milner, [Jordan] Henderson, [Georginio] Wijnaldum etc. These are the kind of games where Thiago might not play. 

“You can properly look at the games, who they're playing against, whether they feel they're going to be in a dominating position and whether it is a sensible decision to play him. 

“I’ve said all along, since the start of the season, it didn't surprise me when he came on against Chelsea and they were down to 10 men, Liverpool knew they were going to dominate possession and he is so effective when it comes to dictating play.

“He's a fantastic player and gives Liverpool the option in terms of playing differently with his creativity in midfield, particularly when teams defend deep in numbers whereby they're in tight spaces. 

“He's our best midfield player, but not every game is going to be like that. If it's an open game, whereby you need a stronger runner like Wijnaldum or Henderson to break forward without the ball because there's lots of space, maybe you don't play him.” 

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed Thomas Partey is working towards starting a match after he made his return to action against Crystal Palace.

On Thursday, Partey was introduced for his first competitive match since he suffered a thigh injury during a Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on December 7.

The Ghana international replaced Dani Ceballos in the 69th minute as the Gunners settled for a share of the spoils with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.

The outing was Partey's sixth Premier League appearance this campaign, which includes four league starts since his signing from Atletico Madrid in October.

When asked whether the 27-year-old is ready for a starting role in Arsenal’s next fixture against Newcastle United on Monday, Arteta told the club website; “Well he's made the right step. Obviously he hasn't played much football in the last four months.

“He had an injury in exactly the same place he had before when he got injured against Spurs. Now we have the reassurance that he can compete. He did it for 25, 30 minutes. He did it well, he didn't feel anything so now we're going to be looking for the next step.”

Thursday's goalless draw was Arsenal fourth straight clean sheet in all competitions and Arteta believes the fine momentum will inspire his team to win games.

He continued: “It's very positive because that’s the foundation to win any game, and gives you a great opportunity to go on and win every single game. [Against Crystal Palace] we lacked that quality in the final third, that are needed against teams like Palace.

"Roy is a manager who gets teams really organised, they have been so successful against big teams over the years because they are a real threat as well in transition and on set pieces. We lacked that against them.”

Arsenal are 11th in the Premier League table with 24 points from 18 matches – eight points adrift of the European spots.

Willian admits to being “far away” from his best at Arsenal, with the Brazilian forward putting his struggles for form in 2020-21 down to a change of scenery, despite only crossing London from Chelsea.

The winger was considered to be quite a coup for the Gunners last summer when he completed a switch from Premier League rivals.

Willian had spent seven years at Stamford Bridge, taking in 339 appearances and collecting two English top-flight titles.

That knowhow was expected to be put to good use at Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta looking to blend youth and experience in north London.

Willian has, however, failed to find a spark in the current campaign, with the 32-year-old conceding as much as he vows to get better.

He has told Arsenal’s official matchday programme: “Well, it's never easy changing club, especially after being somewhere for so long.

“I was at Chelsea for seven years before coming to Arsenal and then you have a new club, new people, a new philosophy.

“Things are different so I'm still adapting but I feel good, I have been learning a lot – a new footballing philosophy.

“Everyone is great here. I know I can improve a lot, and of course my performances on the pitch can be a lot better.”

Willian started positively enough for the Gunners, with two assists registered on the opening weekend against Fulham, but he has gone backwards from that point.

He added: “The first game was great for me, against Fulham, I felt I had a good performance and gave two assists. And then, I don't know.

“I'm always trying to do my best, sometimes things don't go the way you want. You have to say it's a part of football and a part of life.

“Sometimes you have good moments, other times you have bad moments, you have to learn from that.

“And right now, I know I'm far away from being at my best, but I'm determined to work hard and change this.”

While Willian has been toiling, Arteta has stuck by him and handed out 18 appearances across all competitions.

That show of faith has been welcomed, with Willian saying of his manager: “Of course we talk about lots of things together, and I know I have his support.

“That's great for me, and to have the support of the club, so what I can do is always work hard, give my best in training to try to improve myself. This is the only way to get back to good performances.”

Arsenal, who were held to a goalless derby draw by Crystal Palace in their latest outing, will be back in action on Monday when they play host to Newcastle.

Jurgen Klopp has hit back at Mark Clattenburg after the former Premier League referee accused the Liverpool boss of “hypocrisy” and “mind games” ahead of this weekend’s crunch clash with Manchester United.

Clattenburg, speaking in the Daily Mail, suggested Klopp had made a “blatant attempt to influence a referee ahead of a big game” when the German questioned - after his side’s 1-0 loss at Southampton on January 4 - why United received so many more penalties than Liverpool did.

“I hear now that Manchester United had more penalties in two years than I had in five-and-a-half-years,” Klopp said at St Mary’s. “I've no idea if that's my fault, or how that can happen.”

Addressing those comments, Clattenburg, who retired from Premier League officiating in 2017, wrote: “First, he sounds like a hypocrite if he is suggesting United's players are looking to win penalties. The likes of Mo Salah and [Sadio] Mane are just as capable of employing similar tactics.

“He is clearly getting edgy, though, because not since Fergie have we seen such a blatant attempt to influence a referee ahead of a big game. Klopp wasn't doing this last season when Liverpool were winning every week.

“He does not like losing, he never has. He gets prickly. But he is wrong to suggest there is an aura around United that sees them given favourable decisions. There used to be when Fergie was there, but that has eased massively since he left.

“It was mind games - an attempt to influence referee Paul Tierney and get inside his head before a huge match between Liverpool and United this Sunday.”

Asked about the row at his pre-match press conference on Friday, ahead of Sunday’s top-of-the-table meeting at Anfield, Klopp responded in kind.

He told reporters: “Am I surprised that somebody is speaking about what I said after the Southampton game? No. Am I surprised that Mark Clattenburg speaks about it? No.

“I’m not sure why or if he got asked about it, but it’s nice that we can talk about him long after his career [has finished].

“I’m not Sir Alex, I don’t try mind games. I was asked directly after the Southampton game and I didn’t think for one second about the United game. I saw the stats about penalties before the Southampton game, that was it.

“When people like Mark Clattenburg speak now, it always says much more about them than it ever could about me. Maybe if he was ever in my situation then he would play mind games, but unfortunately I have no skills for playing mind games!”

Klopp also rejected the idea that he would ever instruct his players to go to ground easily in order to ensure penalties are awarded.

“Never,” he said, while making a ‘crossed heart’ gesture. “I can 100 per cent say I never, ever mentioned anything like this to any player I worked with. I worked with a lot of players in my time, and you can ask all of them. It never happened.

“In the last two games there were two situations where Sadio Mane had a foul situation. There was a handball [against Southampton] and another situation [vs Newcastle] where Sadio didn’t go down. If people say he’s diver or whatever, it’s just not right.

“Against Newcastle we had a picture where the goalie is on the ground and has both arms around Sadio Mane’s legs. He didn’t go down, he tried to score the goal. I didn’t speak to him and say ‘why didn’t you go down?’

“If Sadio needs to go down, he goes down. If not, then not. It’s natural. It’s not the player who should make a penalty decision, it’s the ref.”

He added: “After the Southampton game, the thing I really tried to understand was how people living on another planet see it – that the handball was not handball, and the Sadio Mane thing was not a penalty.

“I think it was Mr Dermot [Gallagher, former referee] on [Sky Sports’] Ref Watch, and he said ‘no handball, and no penalty’ and you think ‘hmm, obviously I am wrong and they are always right!’

“I don’t want penalties which are not penalties. But if there’s a penalty it would be nice if they whistle it!”

Bayern Munich’s recruitment policy has been questioned by club legend Lothar Matthaus, with the Bundesliga champions considered to be lacking squad depth after parting with the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Ivan Perisic and Thiago Alcantara.

Hansi Flick’s side secured a stunning treble triumph in 2019-20, with the German giants sweeping aside all before them at home and abroad.

The current campaign is proving to be slightly trickier, despite there still being plenty of world-class talent at the Allianz Arena.

Twelve points have been dropped through 15 games in the league, while a humbling exit from the DFB-Pokal has been suffered at the hands of minnows Holstein Kiel.

Matthaus believes Bayern are paying the price for failing to properly bolster their ranks, with the World Cup winner telling Sky Deutschland: “I have to criticise the buying policy a bit. With Philippe Coutinho, Thiago and Ivan Perisic, you lost three players.

“They were, of course, important players. They were always there and brought the necessary quality with them.

“With many newcomers, it may take a certain amount of time to get going or the quality may simply not be there to say: 'They make the difference'.

“You knew from the start that it would be a long and difficult season with lots of games. I think that the breadth of the squad in terms of quality is not set up in such a way that you can go through rotation and still maintain the quality.”

Matthaus admits that Bayern are now leaving themselves with plenty of room for improvement.

He does not believe that Flick needs to alter his model, merely that tweaks need to be made within that system that allow an ambitious outfit to become dominant once more.

Matthaus added: “There is a lack of concentration. Perhaps it is also because of the high levels of stress, because of the many games last year, and there was little break.

“You don't really have to change the system now, only the position of the system should perhaps be moved a little further back. So that there is not 30 or 35 metres of space between Manuel Neuer and the back four for the opponent to exploit – which is where they keep playing.”

Bayern will be back in action on Sunday when they take in a home date with Freiburg.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it would be a shock if Manchester United went to Liverpool and won on Sunday, but he is confident his underdogs can cause an upset.

United go to Anfield three points ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side and on a great run of form in the league, having last lost in November to Arsenal. However, despite their form and recent good record, the United manager believes it would be a shock if they came away with all three points.

Liverpool have not lost in the league since April 2017 and United have not won away there since January 2016.

“If you look at the last few seasons I think it would be an upset and it would be a shock,” Solskjaer said.  “Our position at the moment is a product of all the hard work we've done in the training ground and what the players are putting down every single day and we probably deserve to be where we're at at the moment. 

“I don’t think many would have thought anything but an upset if we went six weeks back and beat Liverpool at Anfield. We’re looking forward to the game and hoping we can cause that upset.”

Solskjaer will be able to take a strong squad to Merseyside, with only Brandon Williams and Phil Jones ruled out. Anthony Martial will be assessed the day before after suffering a hamstring injury against Burnley but the United boss did not rule out the French striker. 

Regardless of whatever team he selects, Solskjaer knows that despite his side’s good form, they are set for a difficult test.

“I think every team goes into every game thinking they could win it and we know we can beat anyone, anywhere on any given day,” he said.

“To be able to go into a game like this feeling if we play to our best we can win is a good feeling but we know we have to perform to our best and we don't really think about the consequences after that - we just think about the performance.

“It is a test and reality check of where we are really at. We have won many, many tight games, scored goals a few goals in injury time and shown that mentality, but we’ve not really set the world alight too many times and to win away at Anfield you really need to be at your best level.”

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has been appointed Derby manager on a permanent basis, with the 35-year-old agreeing a contract through to the summer of 2023.

The former England captain has been in temporary charge of the Rams since November, when Phillip Cocu was dismissed with the East Midlands outfit struggling towards the wrong end of the Championship table.

Rooney oversaw three wins and four draws across nine games as interim boss, but is now committed to the first managerial post of his career to date and will be looking to steer Derby clear of trouble.

He will be assisted by Liam Rosenior, Shay Given and Justin Walker, while Steve McClaren is to continue in a role as technical director and advisor to the board.

Derby chief executive officer, Stephen Pearce, has told the club’s official website: “We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Wayne Rooney as our new manager.

“Our recent upturn in results under Wayne was married together with some positive performances, notably the 2-0 home win over Swansea City and the 4-0 victory at Birmingham City.

“During that nine-game run we also dramatically improved our defensive record and registered five clean sheets in the process, while in the attacking third we became more effective and ruthless too.

“Those foundations have provided a platform for the club to build on in the second half of the season under Wayne’s guidance.”

Rooney, who had been filling a player-coach role with the Rams since returning to England from a spell in MLS with D.C. United, said of his appointment “When I first arrived back in the United Kingdom I was completely blown away by the potential of Derby County Football Club. The stadium, training ground, the quality of the playing staff and the young players coming through and of course the fan base that has remained loyal and supportive.

“Despite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me.

"To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honour and I can promise everyone involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club.”

Rooney, who remains the leading all-time goalscorer for Manchester United and England, is following in the footsteps of former Three Lions team-mate Frank Lampard – with the current Chelsea boss having guided Derby to the Championship play-off final in 2019.

Kieran Tierney is an Arsenal captain in the making and can become the “the best left-back in the league”, according to Mikael Silvestre.

A highly-rated Scotland international is taking in a second season at Emirates Stadium.

He was snapped up from Celtic during the summer of 2019, with Arsenal winning the race for a much sought-after signature.

Tierney endured injury struggles in his debut campaign, and is back on the sidelines at present, but the 23-year-old has showcased his ability when fit.

A key role has been nailed down in Mikel Arteta’s plans, either on the left of a back four or within a three-man defensive unit, with the Scot proving to be a rare model of consistency for the Gunners.

Silvestre believes there is even more to come from Tierney heading forward, with it easy to argue that he is next in line to take the armband in north London.

“I'd say Kieran Tierney has been their standout player this season. He's done so well, especially after his injury last season,” former Arsenal defender Silvestre told Ladbrokes.

“He's proving his worth and he'll inspire a lot of his team-mates because he never gives up.

“He's a future captain for sure and while he needs a lot more games under his belt, he definitely has the quality to be the best left-back in the league.

“He definitely has the mentality to wear the armband for Arsenal one day.”

Tierney was absent for Arsenal in their latest outing, as Arteta’s men were held to a 0-0 derby draw by London neighbours Crystal Palace.

That stalemate brought a run of four successive victories across all competitions to a close, but positive progress is still being made by a side that had faced the threat of being dragged into a relegation battle at one stage.

Silvestre said of a reversal in fortune for the Gunners: “I've been impressed by Arsenal's recovery in recent weeks. It does look like it's all or nothing for them at the moment though.

“They've had success in winning the FA Cup, they have great quality in their young players and the squad look like they have bought into what Mikel Arteta is trying to achieve.

“It's a very competitive league though. You can't just turn up and think you're going to play nice football and get results; you have to put a shift in.

“Arsenal have learnt that the hard way in the last few weeks.”

Arsenal defender Pablo Mari will miss the next few matches, according to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who is awaiting news of the injury suffered by Kieran Tierney in training.

Centre-back Mari had started each of Arsenal’s last four games, but was forced to sit out Thursday night’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

Mari injured his calf in training on Wednesday and Arteta does not expect to have the 27-year-old available again for a while.

“He had a calf injury in training,” revealed the Gunners boss. “I think he will miss a few matches. He’s another one that we will lose.

“But we’ve got Gabriel [Magalhaes] back after Covid, which is good news, we’ve got Thomas [Partey] back as well. So let’s focus on the positives.”

Mari’s setback comes on top of the injury to Tierney, who suffered a muscle problem on the day of the Crystal Palace game that saw him withdrawn from the squad.

The Scotland international was due to have a scan on his calf on Friday to determine the extent of the problem, with Arteta unsure how long he could be sidelined for.

“We don’t know [how long he’ll be out for],” said the Spaniard. “We’ll know more after testing him and knowing more about the injury.

“Certainly it was a big disappointment on the day of the match to lose him, but hopefully he can be with us very quickly.”

One boost for Arsenal on the injury front was the return of Thomas Partey against Palace.

The £45 million ($61m) summer addition from Atletico Madrid played the last 25 minutes on Thursday night, making his first appearance since suffering a thigh injury against Spurs on December 6.

Partey made four tackles in the short time he was on the pitch - only Granit Xhaka (6) made more - and showed why Arteta is so convinced he will transform the Arsenal midfield once he is fully fit.

“He’s made the right step,” said Arteta.

“Obviously he hasn’t played much football in the last four months. He had an injury run exactly the same place that he had before when he got injured against Spurs.

“Now we have the reassurance that he can compete for 25-30 minutes. He did well, he didn’t feel anything, so now we’re going to be looking for the next step.”

Paul Pogba admits to hating life on the bench at Manchester United, having been dropped by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the past, but concedes that fierce competition for places means he is not guaranteed a starting berth against Liverpool on Sunday.

The France international has enjoyed a return to form of late, and Solskjaer has been embracing an upturn in fortunes for the talented 27-year-old, with a regular role found for him alongside Bruno Fernandes in the Red Devils’ engine room.

Pogba believes he is ready to deliver for his club, having previously slipped out of contention under Jose Mourinho and his current boss, with the Frenchman eager to avoid being shunted back into a support role on the sidelines.

He has told Sky Sports, with United now top of the Premier League table: “I've been feeling very good in myself, physically and mentally as well. I've been playing and when you're playing, you get your form.

“It's a huge difference when you start one game and don't start another one, or if you don't start for a few games. Obviously, the team helped the players to be in good form, we've been playing very well. The players and the staff have been playing me, trusting me.

“I have to focus in myself and give my best. On the left, on the right, in the middle, striker, defender, anything. As long as I'm on the pitch I give my best and as much as I can do to help my team.

“I hate to be on the bench, I don't like it. It doesn't mean that other players don't deserve to be playing but for myself, I don't like it. I'm a winner, I just want to play football and help my team. When I'm on the bench and I don't come on, I feel like I can't help my team-mates so I feel bad and I don't like it.”

Pogba will be hoping to make Solskjaer’s starting XI for the crunch clash with Liverpool but accepts that with so much on the line, and with various options to mull over, he may not figure from the off at Anfield.

The midfielder told United’s official website: “We’ve always had very good midfielders. “Carras [Michael Carrick] and others. It’s always been tough.

“You have to say all the midfielders have been doing great. For me, I came back from injury as well. Scott [McTominay] and Fred have been doing great, and Nemanja [Matic] has been doing great and Bruno, since he arrived, has been doing great so it’s tough for the manager.

"I want to play but it’s tough - how do you take some players out? How?

“Results have been good as well so it’s always difficult. He has to make some changes, some decisions and, you never know, I could be on the bench or play the next game. You have to take it, that’s football and the guys have been doing very well, so I can’t say anything.

“I just need to be ready and take my chance to play and help the team as much as they have been doing. You have to give the guys the credit. Every time you play, you are on your toes and you want to do great because the guys next to you give everything as well.

"That’s building a team, it’s about the team and it shows that we have each other’s backs and we push each other to the limit to do great.”

Harry Kane needs to pick between landing silverware on a regular basis and cementing his standing as a club legend at Tottenham, says William Gallas.

The prolific 27-year-old frontman has remained fiercely loyal to Spurs since stepping out of their academy system and landing a big break on the back of several loan spells.

He has passed the 200-goal mark for the club, reaching 154 in the Premier League, but is still waiting to see his efforts rewarded with tangible success.

Jose Mourinho was appointed manager in north London to get Tottenham back on the trophy trail, with a 13-year barren run needing to be brought to a close if Kane is to stay put.

Gallas admits as much, with the England captain told that the time has come for him to choose between head and heart.

Ex-Spurs defender Gallas told PlayOJO: “It all depends what Harry Kane wants for his future – does he want to lift trophies or stay at Tottenham and become a legend?

“For the fans, it would be great for Kane to stay but as a player, you have to know what you want. Yes, he might have some individual accolades but as a player you want to lift trophies like the Premier League or the FA Cup to understand what it feels like to the lift the trophy.

"That’s why it’s very important for Tottenham to win something, to keep Harry Kane.”

While Kane appears set to stay put for now, as he remains tied to a long-term contract, plenty of exits are being mooted at Tottenham.

Dele Alli’s lack of game time has seen him linked with a move in the January window, with Gallas advising the 24-year-old to find regular game time elsewhere.

The former France international is not convinced that Paris Saint-Germain would be the right choice for a goal-getting midfielder – given the competition for places at Parc des Princes – but feels a fresh start is required in order for a lost spark to be rediscovered.

Gallas said: “Dele Alli has to play because he’s still young, so if he doesn’t play for Tottenham he has to move. For him it will be good to be back on the pitch, playing 90 minutes.

“I’m sure he’s very frustrated that he isn’t playing. He had a great season two years ago but for young players, they have to be consistent every game.

“Sometimes when you have a great season, the next season you put in less effort because you expect to play the same and slowly your form begins to drop. This is what is most difficult for young players to handle. OK, he had one good season but the next season he has to work harder to stay on top.

“I don’t think he would make the starting XI at PSG as there are many top players. He needs to find a club where he will make the starting XI.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is planning on holding contract talks with AC Milan that could see him stay on at San Siro beyond his 40th birthday.

The enigmatic Swedish striker returned to familiar surroundings for a second spell in January 2020.

He initially committed to a six-month agreement, having headed back to Europe from a stint in MLS with the LA Galaxy, but soon showed that he was still capable of playing at the highest level.

As a talismanic presence for Milan, the Rossoneri were quick to tie Ibrahimovic down to further 12-month deal.

That will come to a close this summer, meaning that the 39-year-old must mull over his options once more.

He feels that he can still do a job in Serie A, having helped to inspire a title challenge this season, and is open to discussions regarding his future.

Ibrahimovic told Corriere dello Sport: “I’ll continue playing as long as I feel well. Then we’ll see, we’ll talk about my contract.

“I didn’t want to put myself in a trap with no way out, that’s why I initially signed a six-month contract which I renewed afterwards. Others made different choices.

“I don’t want to talk about how many games I’ve played, it makes me feel old. My challenge is to develop a young team now, it’s something different from what I used to do. But being successful in it makes me feel happier than when I win."

Ibrahimovic says he decided to join Milan for the challenge they posed, with success eluding the Italian giants in recent times, and he remains as determined as ever to deliver positive results.

The former Juventus and Inter frontman added: “Today I feel like a leader. The team follows me.

“Ten years ago, it was a different Milan. But even the Milan I found in 2020 was different, a young team. We work and we sacrifice. The results are not just my merit.

“We are doing great things, but we haven’t won anything yet.

“It’s still too early, there are many games left, but we don’t set limits, second-placed are just the first losers. I only want to give the best for this team, all the time, also during training.”

Ibrahimovic has plenty of talent around him at San Siro, with Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma a highly-rated asset that will also see his current contract expire this summer.

Quizzed on whether he sees the 21-year-old staying put, Ibrahimovic said: “He is the best goalkeeper in the world, but I never tell him. He must continue to have ambition, but it’s not normal that he’s never played in the Champions League.”

James Rodriguez joined Everton on a free transfer from Real Madrid, director of football Marcel Brands has confirmed.

The Colombia international midfielder was the marquee signing for the Toffees last summer, ending his largely unsuccessful stint at Santiago Bernabeu and moving to Goodison Park in an eye-catching deal for Carlo Ancelotti's team.

It was widely reported at the time that Everton had to fork out a significant transfer fee for James, however Brands, in delivering his annual presentation at the general meeting of the shareholders on Thursday evening, has confirmed subsequent rumours that they did not have to pay a penny to Real.

“It was one of the most difficult and weirdest transfer windows ever," Brands said. "The pandemic was clearly involved in this transfer window.

“We finished the window with a squad of 27 players - a little bit more than originally planned.

“We signed six new players. Three on a permanent transfer; Allan, Doucoure and Ben Godfrey. One on a free – James Rodriguez. One with training compensation - Niels Nkounkou - and one loan without a loan fee, Robin Olsen.”

James has been a central figure when fully fit for Everton under Ancelotti, scoring three goals in 14 games in all competitions. 

He was previously one of the world's most expensive players, joining Real Madrid for £67.5 million from Monaco in 2014 following his star turn for Colombia at that summer's World Cup in Brazil.

Brands described the difficulties of conducting transfer business during the coronavirus pandemic, with Everton among the Premier League's busiest clubs last summer. They spent around £60m acquiring players, while nine men - including Morgan Schneiderlin and Kieran Dowell - departed Goodison Park.

“It was one of the most challenging transfer windows ever," he said. "The average spend of the Premier League clubs was around £63m and the overall net spend of the average Premier League club increased from just over £30m in 2019 to almost £43m in 2020. This was mainly a result of significantly reduced player sales.”

Brands said that he does not expect Everton to sign players this month, while some fringe figures will be allowed to leave in order to reduce their squad size.

Arsenal’s decision to favour a deal for Nicolas Pepe over an agreement for Wilfried Zaha is understandable, says Ray Parlour, but the former Gunners star admits he would love to see the Crystal Palace winger at Emirates Stadium.

Discussions were held with Zaha, with the Ivory Coast international making it clear that he would be open to linking up with the club he supported as a boy. Arsenal were, however, to snap up the 28-year-old’s fellow countryman Pepe with a club-record £72 million ($98m) deal put in place.

Little value has been found in that agreement, with those in north London left to ponder whether the right choices have been made.

The decision to overlook Zaha, as a proven Premier League performer, has been questioned by many, but a window of opportunity may not have been closed completely.

Ex-Arsenal midfielder Parlour told Stadium Astro of a player that Mikel Arteta got another good look at during the 0-0 draw at Emirates Stadium on Thursday: “I’m sure Emery would have loved to have someone like Zaha but again it’s down to the board and money available, I don’t know what the situation was with the funds they had behind the scenes.

“Pepe, they did that in a staggered way, probably paying £15m a year, which suited the French side [Lille] as well where he came from.

“Probably Crystal Palace wanted the money up front, which Arsenal couldn’t have done at that time, because they need to replace him - if you lose your best player you need to replace him. The deal probably wasn’t right for Crystal Palace if Arsenal couldn’t pay it up front - but certainly he’s a real talent.

“When he’s running at you full pelt, I wouldn’t like to play against him as a defender!

“You know he makes things happen, he goes down, he gets free-kicks in good areas, he can get penalties at times. He’s a real talent. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to see him in an Arsenal shirt.”

Zaha could not help Palace to find a way through against Arsenal, while the Gunners drew a blank at the opposite end of the field.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to find the target once again, leaving him stuck on six goals for the season, and Parlour admits a talismanic presence tied to a lucrative new contract has become a little predictable.

He said of the Gabonese frontman: “He is captain of the side and people are looking up to him. He is a massive part of the club if they are going to get back into that top four.

“Maybe he just needs to roam a bit more as a player because he is always on that left side. He needs to go into the middle at times. At the moment, he is pretty straightforward to play against because you know where he’s going to be and where he’s going to go.

“When he was bang in form, he would pop up in areas you didn’t expect him to be. He has got to try something different. You have to try and make chances for yourself.”

Victor Wanyama and Mustafa Kizza’s Major Soccer League side Montreal Impact has changed its name to Club de Foot Montreal.

The club’s Chief Executive Officer Joe Saputo said even if they loved Montreal Impact, there are things that are sometimes let go.

“It's hard to let go of things that you love, but here's the reality: To make an impact, we needed to retire the Impact," Saputo said .

The Canadian club also changed its motto to ‘Droit Devant’ which translates to ‘Always Forward’.

The Club de Foot Montreal president Kevin Gilmore said the new name and design has been inspired by the city’s culture.

“In order to keep on growing and progressing, we are making an important change,” said Gilmore. “This transformation is inspired by the culture of our city, its people, as well as the history of our club and our sport in Montreal, to lead us into an even brighter future.

“It's a great metamorphosis that will stimulate and guide our evolution.”

The management stated there are some nice changes to the team’s colours even though the black and blue have been maintained. The black colour has been kept as the management stressed it is deeper and richer while ice grey represents the ice flowing in all the Montrealers’ veins.

The club’s co-creative director said the major reason to have the name change is because of football evolution over the years.

“Football is more established than ever in Montreal, and its history, which dates to the late 1800s, continues to evolve with this announcement,” said Kingsley.

“We wanted to connect our identity even more strongly to that of our city. We were inspired by Montréal and its supporters to create this local Montreal brand image, made by Montrealers, to state that we are here to stay.”

The logo has also been changed and the new one depicts a black background with a snowflake motif and the arrows are a representative of the metro transportation system that ‘connects all the Montrealers’.

According to Club de Foot Montreal, the blue border stands for the rivers that surround the island.

Harambee Stars captain Wanyma joined the club in march 2020 from English side Tottenham Hotspur while former KCCA FC defender Kizza officially arrived them in October.

Bayern Munich have joined the list of teams that have enquired about the future of Real Madrid defender Eder Militao, with Juventus, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund having already made preliminary approaches for the Brazilian.

There have been no official bids made for Militao thus far, with sides from England, Germany and Italy more interested in finding out Madrid's plans for the centre-back, who has found himself as fourth choice behind Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Nacho.

Brazil boss Tite clearly counts the 22-year-old among his plans for the Selecao, having most recently been called up to face Venezuela in November. 

He was snubbed for the latest round of World Cup qualifiers, however, and a lack of playing time at club level is likely to have contributed to that decision.

Militao was overlooked once again as recently as Thursday's Super Cup loss to Athletic Club, with Nacho replacing Varane at the halfway mark after the Frenchman suffered an untimely knock in the first half.

The situation has led Bayern to explore the possibility of bringing in Militao to replace David Alaba, with the Austrian seemingly on the verge of agreeing terms with Madrid ahead of the expiration of his contract in the summer.

For Militao's part, the versatile stopper's priority is to remain with Madrid as he would like to write his name into the history books of the club, while also settling in comfortably to life in the Spanish capital.

Becoming a club legend requires playing time, however, which has been hard to come by this season. Militao respects the decisions made by coach Zinedine Zidane, but is thought to be keeping his short-term options open in order to ensure he continues getting minutes.

Facing up to a summer with the Copa America and Olympic Games, playing time will undoubtedly be pivotal if he is to be selected, but a winter transfer – even a loan with an option to buy – would border on impossible as clubs are strapped for cash. 

In addition, Madrid would want to recoup the majority of the €50 million (£44m/$61m) they paid Porto for the player.

Whatever happens, the next few months is likely to have a huge impact on Militao's career.

A quiet transfer window at Old Trafford is set to play into the hands of Paul Pogba and Manchester United, says Mikael Silvestre, with a “world-class” midfielder needing a period of calm after seeing “almost everything” said about his future.

A big-money move for a World Cup-winning midfielder has been mooted for some time.

Given the criticism Pogba has faced for his actions on and off the field since returning to England in 2016, exit talk has come as no real surprise.

His agent has kept that rumour mill churning, with Mino Raiola claiming that the France international’s time in the Premier League is “over”.

Pogba has, however, stated his full commitment to the United cause and enjoyed a welcome return to form in a season that has Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side back in title contention.

The financial impact of a coronavirus pandemic is making it difficult to see a way out of Manchester for the 27-year-old, with few teams in a position to spend, and that is helping to narrow focus.

Silvestre admits as much, with the former United defender telling Ladbrokes of a fellow countryman: “When Paul Pogba is giving his best and he’s on top of his game, he’s a key part of things and can add so much to the team. He has world-class qualities. We’d just like to see more consistency and he knows that.

“In terms of how the recent situation has been managed, I think both parties have done very well. They’ve made sure the most important thing is what Paul does on the pitch. He’s always growing as a player and he’s giving everything for United.

“It’s a very quiet transfer market due to the pandemic and in a way it’s benefitting the situation around Paul’s future. Almost everything has been said about his future, whether he stays or goes, so a quiet transfer window as far as rumours are concerned can only be a good thing for Manchester United and Pogba.

“Before strengthening, clearly Man Utd have to make room for players. You can only select 25 players so the main concern for United is to see which players are title-winning players and which ones are not. That’s where the club should be concentrating. Then you can start to think about bringing in new faces.

“They’ve brought in some young players so, if they’re up to the task, you have to start making room for them in the squad.”

As the speculation surrounding Pogba begins to fade, questions are also no longer being asked of Solskjaer’s position.

Silvestre is pleased to see the Norwegian silencing his doubters, but claims the 1999 Treble winner will never have read too much into suggestions that his position was under threat.

“There have always been managers linked with the Manchester United job since Solskjaer took over. Before Mauricio Pochettino it was Max Allegri,” Silvestre added.

“Every time there’s a high-profile manager out of a job his name will be linked with Manchester United because of the size of the club. That’s how it is. I don’t think it will bother Ole.

“The staff know the environment and they’ve been trusted since the beginning. I don’t think it’s disturbing internally. That kind of thing will always happen at a club like Manchester United with fans and media speculating, but I don’t think anyone inside the club reads too much into it.”

Jamie Carragher says “the onus” will be on Liverpool to dictate proceedings against Manchester United on Sunday, with a crunch clash at Anfield said to be “a bigger game” for the hosts.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will welcome arch-rivals to Merseyside having been knocked from the top of the Premier League table.

The Red Devils have returned to the summit, with the Old Trafford outfit daring to dream that an eight-year wait for domestic title glory can be brought to a close in 2021.

Carragher is not convinced that Liverpool are ready to surrender their crown just yet, but he admits that “shockwaves” could be sent through the English top-flight in a heavyweight encounter.

The Reds legend has told Sky Sports: “I actually think it's a bigger game for Liverpool. The onus is more on them.

“If United got a result there, that's when the belief would come that they could win the league. I still think people think United may fall away and Liverpool have still got that edge, but if they won at Anfield that would send shockwaves through the Premier League.

“It's a game where Liverpool need to show they are the champions, they are the better team, get the result and also a performance that puts Manchester United back where they are.”

Whatever the outcome this weekend, Carragher is excited to see Liverpool and United going head-to-head in a race to the finish, with it rare for both teams to be in contention at the same time.

He added: “The really interesting thing is that when both sides have had their spells of dominance for 15 or so years, the other have not been the ones challenging.

“In the 70s and 80s, when Liverpool were dominant, it was Nottingham Forest, Everton in the mid-80s, it was George Graham's Arsenal, and then when Manchester United were dominating it was Blackburn, Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, and Chelsea.

“Manchester United and Liverpool never really gone toe-to-toe for the title going back 30, 40 years.

“If you look at the situation now, Liverpool are champions and have been fighting with Manchester City over the last couple of years. It would be great to see the two biggest clubs really slug it out for titles over the next few years.

“There is a massive rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United, that will always be there, it will never go. At times it's more than a rivalry, it can get a bit nasty between supporters, but I do believe both football clubs have a huge respect for each other.

“In some ways, we should be proud that two working class cities from the north of the country are seen as two of the biggest clubs in world football. There is that begrudging respect for each other after what both clubs have done for football in this country and Europe.

“There are a lot of similarities between the two clubs, and that has created the rivalry. It's only good for English football that the two biggest clubs could are competing for the title.”