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● English Premier League giants Liverpool and Manchester United have joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko. The 17-year-old forward, who has established himself as a first-team regular with the Bundesliga club, is set to become one of the most sought-after teenagers when the transfer window re-opens next year. Moukoko has already made 58 senior appearances for Dortmund across all competitions since making his debut a day after turning 16 in November last year.

● Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simone says the World Cup break will be good for his struggling side and allow them to get Koke, Reguilon and Thomas Lemar back from injury. Atletico had not won in five games before the break and sit in sixth place in the LaLiga standings.

● Southampton have appointed Nathan Jones to replace Ralph Hasenhuttl as the club’s new manager on a three-and-a-half-year contract. Jones, who has left Luton to take charge of the Saints, agreed the deal with the Premier League club on Wednesday and later watched them win a penalty shootout over Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup.

● Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini denied claims he had made too many rotational changes for a midweek match against Lecce after last weekend’s loss to Napoli in a top-of-thetable clash. He made nine changes against Lecce and Atalanta promptly suffered a surprise loss. Gasperini said he made the changes because Merih Demiral was not fully fit and Rafael Toloi needed a rest.

● Leeds United’s American shareholders, who have links to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, are gearing up for a full takeover of the club after securing the necessary funds. They currently own 44% of Leeds and have an option to buy out majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani in January 2024. USA banking sources say there have been moves in recent weeks to secure the funds for a full takeover of the Premier League club and the money is now available.