Here are the latest stories for Wednesday.
LIVERPOOL: Philippe Coutinho has signed a new long-term contract at Liverpool, the club have confirmed. A source has told ESPN FC that Coutinho’s new contract is a five-year deal — that lasts until 2022 — and does not include a release clause.
– Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not surprised by his side’s drop in form in January and is confident they remain in the Premier League title race.
INTER MILAN: Former Manchester United and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is in line for a role with Inter Milan’s Chinese owners Suning Holdings Group, sources close to the Italian club have told ESPN FC.
TOTTENHAM: Tottenham attacker Erik Lamela has denied reports he is homesick and eager to leave the club, insisting his continued absence in Rome is solely related to a persistent hip problem.
MAN UNITED: Jose Mourinho should be inspired by the progress his Manchester United team have made — and they are “unlucky” not to be challenging Premier League leaders Chelsea, according to former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
– Marcus Rashford was viewed in the “same category” as Paul Pogba, according to former Manchester United under-21 manager Warren Joyce.
ARSENAL: Arsenal great Robert Pires says Alexis Sanchez has told him he’s still undecided about whether to renew his contract with the Gunners.
– Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny is eager to emulate ex-Gunner Thierry Henry and became a legend at the London club.
– Granit Xhaka has reportedly been questioned by police over accusations that he hurled racial abuse at an airline staff member at Heathrow Airport.
– Arsenal youngster Ben Sheaf has signed a new contract with the club, the Gunners have announced.
CHELSEA: Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has hailed the Antonio Conte effect after a stunning first half of the season at Stamford Bridge.
MAN CITY: Fabian Delph says he has not given any thought to leaving Manchester City in the transfer window and wants to stay and fight for a place in the team.
– Pep Guardiola is considering staying at Manchester City for five years, according to reports in England.
CRYSTAL PALACE: Crystal Palace have taken former Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers defender Chris Samba on trial as they weigh up a move, sources close to the club have told ESPN FC.
BAYERN MUNICH: Robert Lewandowski has told Sport Bild that a move to Barcelona or Real Madrid would not have been a “step up” from German champions Bayern Munich.
REAL MADRID: Real Madrid have called up teenage right-back Achraf Hakimi for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey quarterfinal second leg at Celta Vigo, with centre-back Raphael Varane not travelling despite coach Zinedine Zidane missing six senior players — including three defenders — through injury.
AC MILAN: M’Baye Niang has been left out of AC Milan’s squad for their Coppa Italia clash with Juventus on Wednesday night with coach Vincenzo Montella appearing to suggest it might be better for him to leave the club this winter.
PSG: Unai Emery and Angel Di Maria were thrilled to see Paris Saint-Germain seal their spot in the Coupe de La Ligue final after beating Bordeaux 4-1 on Tuesday night.
BURNLEY: Burnley have had a bid of around £10 million for Hull City attacker Robert Snodgrass accepted and are pushing ahead with a move for Norwich’s Robbie Brady, sources close to the Lancashire club have told ESPN FC.
– Burnley are lining up a move for Hull City defender Andy Robertson, sources close to the player have told ESPN FC.
ANC: Ivory Coast failed to make it past the group stage in their defence of the African Nations Cup, crashing out without winning a game after Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Morocco.
– Salomon Kalou has retired from international football after Ivory Coast’s shock exit from the African Nations Cup.
– Emmanuel Adebayor will return to Togo to consider his future after his country’s African Nations Cup exit, and admitted he would welcome a move back to England.
BUNDESLIGA: The German Football League (DFL) has backed Marco van Basten‘s plans to introduce sin bins.
– Werder Bremen are to hold talks with Germany international Serge Gnabry in a bid to convince the former Arsenal winger that his future beyond the summer lies at the Weserstadion.
LIGUE 1: Bastia coach Francois Ciccolini has told L’Equipe that Mario Balotelli insulted his mother in the heated aftermath of Nice’s 1-1 draw in Corsica on Friday.
BELGIUM: Tianjin Quanjian midfielder Axel Witsel insists he did not go to China “just to pocket the money,” telling RTBF that he still hopes to continue playing for Belgium.
MLS: Sebastian Giovinco’s agent says he has received a “huge offer” for the playmaker from a club in China, though Toronto FC has not had any contact over transfer discussions.
– The Colorado Rapids completed the signing of midfielder Bismark “Nana” Adjei-Boateng from Manchester City on Tuesday.
– FC Dallas cut ties with full-backs Moises Hernandez and Jose Salvatierra on Tuesday, terminating the contracts of both players.
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