Carlo Ancelotti became the most decorated coach in Real Madrid's history on Wednesday, after the team's 3-0 victory over Pachuca in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup final made it 15 trophies won with the club.

In two spells in charge at Madrid -- between 2013 and 2015, and from 2021 -- Ancelotti has lifted three Champions League trophies, two LaLiga titles, two Copa del Reys, two Spanish Supercopas, three UEFA Super Cups, two Club World Cups, and now the Intercontinental Cup.

The previous record was held by the legendary Madrid coach Miguel Muñoz, who spent 14 years in charge between 1960 and 1974, winning two European Cups, nine league titles, two Copas del Rey and one Intercontinental Cup.

"I'm very happy ... It's a success," Ancelotti said of the win over Pachuca on Wednesday. "We took control little by little, and ended the game well. We have those differences of quality always, but we also have to show the right attitude. Today, in the end, I liked that. In the end, up front, we made the difference ... In attack we did well. We have a lot of quality, Kylian [Mbappé] played a good game, and Rodrygo scored. We're happy."

Ancelotti drew level with Muñoz in August, when Madrid won the UEFA Super Cup, beating Atalanta 2-0.

He will next have the chance to add to his trophy haul in January, when Madrid will take part in the Spanish Supercopa in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

They will play Mallorca in the semifinal on Jan. 9 before a possible final against either Barcelona or Athletic Club three days later.

Ancelotti first joined Madrid in June 2013, winning the Champions League in his first season, before being fired in May 2015 after a less successful second campaign.

He made a surprise return to the club in June 2021 and has since won two LaLiga and Champions League doubles, in 2022 and 2024.

The veteran Italian holds a string of records after a near-30 year coaching career.

He is the only coach to have won the league title in Europe's 'big five leagues' -- in Spain with Real Madrid, in Italy with AC Milan, in Germany with Bayern Munich, in England with Chelsea and in France with Paris Saint-Germain.

Ancelotti is also the only manager to have won five Champions Leagues, having twice won the competition as AC Milan coach in 2003 and 2007.

VERNON, Conn. -- A 40-year-old man arrested for stalking UConn basketball star Paige Bueckers pleaded guilty Wednesday to a second-degree charge at Rockville Superior Court.

Robert Cole Parmalee of Grants Pass, Oregon, received a one-year suspended sentence and three years' probation. According to the plea agreement, Parmalee must abide by the protective order that has been in effect since Sept. 16 and will remain in place until Jan. 4, 2064, and comply with treatment recommendations for his mental health.

He is barred from the state of Connecticut during his three-year probation.

In addition, Parmalee is barred from arenas, hotels and practice facilities where the UConn women's basketball team is present. The State's Attorney also added that the WNBA has barred him from all arenas and practice facilities.

Parmalee apologized in court to the state of Connecticut, its residents and to UConn. According to his attorney, Parmalee is booked on a Wednesday evening flight to Washington.

Bueckers and UConn coach Geno Auriemma declined to comment through a spokesperson.

"My client had requested that [Parmalee] return home, get the evaluation and treatment that he needs, and that she be left alone," said attorney Robert Britt, who represented Bueckers at Wednesday's hearing. "We're very happy with that."

Parmalee was arrested by Connecticut State Police on Aug. 27 while he was walking along a highway near Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks. According to UConn Police, Parmalee told state police that he was going to see Bueckers. Prior to his arrest, Parmalee posted on social media that he was traveling to Connecticut to propose to Bueckers and to get her expelled from UConn.

He had been held on $100,000 bond since his arrest.

UConn police re-arrested Parmalee on Sept. 13 and charged him with breach of peace, electronic stalking and harassment. Parmalee is also referred to as "Parmelee" on various social media accounts.

According to UConn police, officials in UConn's communications department received messages from Parmalee in June that police described as "rambling." His social media activity contained dozens of references to Bueckers, including a post with a fake wedding invitation and multiple photos of Parmalee with what appears to be an engagement ring.

According to an affidavit on the application for an arrest warrant, Parmalee began sending videos via social media to Bueckers, identified in court documents as Victim 1, in February. According to the affidavit, Bueckers never responded, but began worrying for the safety of her friends and family in September, leading her to give a statement to UConn police.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Another week, another starting quarterback for the New York Giants, who plan to go back to Drew Lock on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons.

Lock will square off against a Falcons team quarterbacked by rookie Michael Penix Jr., who was named as Atlanta's starter Tuesday night over veteran Kirk Cousins.

Lock did not play in last week's blowout loss to the Ravens because of a heel injury. He was also dealing with a left elbow problem.

"Drew should be OK," Daboll said before Lock went out Wednesday and practiced for the first time since ditching the boot on his foot.

The Giants (2-12) haven't been able to settle on a starter since benching Daniel Jones last month. New York surprisingly turned to Tommy DeVito, the team's third-stringer all season up to that point, for their Nov. 24 blowout loss to the Buccaneers. Jones was released prior to that game and eventually signed with the Vikings.

But DeVito injured his forearm against the Bucs and missed a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Cowboys, opening the door for Lock to start two games before the heel injury forced New York to turn back to DeVito last Sunday against the Ravens.

DeVito was knocked out of the game after going 10-of-13 passing for 68 yards in the first half behind a tattered offensive line. He was ruled out with a concussion, but was back on the field Wednesday with the likelihood that he will be Lock's backup Sunday if he progresses without any setbacks.

"He's moving through the protocol," Daboll said. "He's doing something today. He'll have a chance to be No. 2 [against the Falcons]."

Veteran Tim Boyle finished Sunday's loss to the Ravens, throwing the Giants' first touchdown pass since Jones on Nov. 3. Boyle went 12-of-24 passing for 123 yards with a touchdown and interception in the second half against Baltimore.

"It's all a little different with each guy," Daboll said. "Certainly you'd like one guy in there the whole time, but that's not the reality."

The Giants currently ride a nine-game skid into Sunday's matchup against Penix and the Falcons. Coincidentally, Penix's first start will come against one of the teams that passed on him in this year's draft.

New York decided against selecting a quarterback and instead used the sixth overall draft pick on wide receiver Malik Nabers, who is within 100 yards of reaching 1,000 yards receiving.

Penix surprisingly went eighth overall to the Falcons, even after they signed Cousins to a four-year deal worth up to $180 million this past offseason.

The Giants, meanwhile, are currently in position to draft first overall in 2025. The expectation is they will address the quarterback position with Jones gone and Lock set to become a free agent.

Colorado has signed Liberty transfer quarterback Kaidon Salter, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

The Buffaloes are bringing in one of the most accomplished dual-threat quarterbacks in college football to compete for the chance to be Shedeur Sanders' successor in 2025. Salter started 29 games for the Flames and earned Conference USA MVP honors in 2023 while leading the program to a 13-1 season.

Salter has one remaining season of eligibility. He will compete with five-star freshman Julian Lewis, the second overall recruit in the 2025 ESPN 300, for the starting role as Colorado looks to replace Sanders, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and potential first overall draft pick.

Salter has accounted for 6,438 total yards of offense and 66 touchdowns during his two seasons in Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell's spread option system. He has rushed for 1,676 yards since 2023, second among FBS quarterbacks behind Army's Bryson Daily (2,433).

In 2023, Salter led the first perfect regular season in Liberty history while throwing a school-record 32 touchdown passes. The Flames won the Conference USA title in their first season in the league and earned a New Year's Six bowl bid in the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon. Liberty finished No. 25 in the final AP poll following a 45-6 loss to the Ducks.

Salter threw for 1,886 yards, rushed for 587 yards and scored 22 total touchdowns for the Flames during an 8-3 run this season. The Cedar Hill, Texas, native announced Dec. 2 that he planned to transfer and visited Syracuse before deciding to play for coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes.

After a breakthrough 9-3 season and a No. 23 finish in the College Football Playoff rankings, Colorado is looking to reload its roster via the transfer portal as Sanders and Heisman Trophy-winning two-way star Travis Hunter depart for the NFL.

The Buffaloes landed former Alabama defensive lineman Jehiem Oatis, the No. 1 defensive player in ESPN's transfer rankings, earlier this week and have also secured commitments from tight end Zach Atkins (Northwest Missouri State), offensive lineman Carter Miller (UL Monroe), linebacker Reginald Hughes (Jacksonville State) and kicker Buck Buchanan (Louisiana Tech).

The Buffaloes will face No. 17 BYU in the Valero Alamo Bowl on Dec. 28. The Big 12 opponents did not meet during the regular season and were part of a four-way tie for first place in the league standings.

Rugby Football Union bosses Bill Sweeney and Tom Ilube could face a seismic vote of no confidence early next year, with a motion calling for their dismissal gathering support among grassroots clubs.

If the motion reaches the threshold of 100 signatories from clubs throughout England, a special general meeting must be held within 45 days a timeline that would decide Sweeney and Ilube's future by the end of February.

A two-thirds majority would then be required to oust Ilube and press RFU directors to remove Sweeney from his post, in the wake of outcry over his compensation package.

Sweeney was paid a basic salary of 742,000 in the year up to June 2024, up from the 430,000 he was paid when he was first appointed in 2019.

However his pay was also supplemented by a bonus of 358,000, as part of a scheme signed off by Ilube and intended to recognise the salary sacrificed by senior leaders during the Covid pandemic - and linked to various parts of the organisation's performance.

The RFU announced record 37.9m operating losses last month, only a few weeks after announcing plans to lay off more than 40 staff in the latest round of redundancies.

The RFU also shed jobs in 2018 and 2020.

BBC Sport has spoken to a number of RFU employees who have described staff anger at the level of pay awarded to senior staff, while two former bosses - Graeme Cattermole and Francis Baron - have called on Sweeney and Ilube to resign, external over the issue.

The New York Red Bulls signed veteran forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to a two-year contract as a designated player.

The deal announced on Wednesday with the 35-year-old Cameroon international includes an option for 2027.

Choupo-Moting spent the past four seasons at Bayern Munich, where he scored 38 goals in 122 matches and won three Bundesliga titles, one German Cup and one FIFA Club World Cup.

"We are excited to add a player of Maxim's caliber to our roster," NYRB head of sport Jochen Schneider said. "Maxim is a great player, a winner and his experience in Europe's top leagues will be greatly important to our club in 2025 and beyond."

Before Bayern, Choupo-Moting contributed nine goals in 51 appearances with Paris Saint-Germain from 2018-20, winning two Ligue 1 championships and one French Cup. He also has played for England's Stoke City (2017-18) and Germany's Schalke 04 (2014-17).

Internationally, Choupo-Moting has scored 20 goals and appeared in 73 matches for Cameroon, including action in three FIFA World Cups (2010, 2014 and 2022).

The January transfer window for the Women's Super League (WSL) opens on Jan. 1 and closes on Jan. 30. While money is tight, as ever, in the women's game, there are some possible deals in the offing. We assess what could happen at each of the 12 WSL clubs this summer.

ARSENAL

Arsenal will adopt a one-in, one-out approach to transfers, considering the current shape of their squad. Midfielder Katherine Kuhl, who joined in January 2023, is expected to depart after struggling for minutes, despite a strong loan spell with Everton last season. Loan moves for other academy graduates are also possibly, which could create space for potential reinforcements in the shape of a winger or a left-footed centre-back.

In midfield, interim manager Renée Slegers has relied on left-back Steph Catley in a central defensive role, highlighting the need for depth in that area. Arsenal have been monitoring Barcelona midfielder Keira Walsh for some time and made a world-record bid to sign the 26-year-old England international during the summer but may wait until the summer to move again as she is out of contract in the summer. Additionally, Victoria Pelova's return from an ACL injury toward the end of the season could add further options.

With several high-profile players out of contract in the summer, Arsenal's priority will be to secure extensions for key squad members. However, appointing a permanent manager to succeed Jonas Eidevall remains the top task before new deals or transfer strategies can fully take shape. -- EK

ASTON VILLA

Villa have already conceded 17 goals this season, so adding to their defensive ranks could give them a boost heading into the second half of the campaign. Another body in midfield could be useful too. But Villa currently find themselves in a bit of a tricky situation as far as forward planning is concerned, following the departure of head coach Robert de Pauw. Former Manchester City striker Shaun Goater has taken temporary charge of the team but, without a permanent manager in place, it's hard to predict who their January targets will be.

There are a lot of key players out of contract at Villa next summer and decisions on the futures of Rachel Daly, Jordan Nobbs, Lucy Staniforth and Dan Turner will need to be made ahead of the end of the season. Meanwhile, after signing a permanent deal in the summer following a successful spell on loan for Liverpool, 24-year-old midfielder Miri Taylor has started just three games this term and may have her eye on a move. -- BL

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Brighton have performed exceptionally well under Dario Vidošić, surpassing expectations in the early stages of the season. For the first two months they sat as high as third, though losses to Arsenal and Chelsea have seen them drop to fifth now. Despite this, it's a significant accomplishment for a team that has been near the bottom of the table in the past two campaigns.

Securing a top-five spot will be Brighton's main target and it would mark substantial progress for the Seagulls. But they will also have eyes on breaking into the top four, given the six-point gap separating them from Spurs.

The arrivals of Nikita Parris and Fran Kirby were marquee summer signings, but with Kirby sidelined by a knee injury, Brighton may look to bring in an attacking midfielder to compensate for her absence. However, with players like Kiko Seike, Marisa Olislagers, and Jelena Čanković hitting their stride after 10 games, Brighton's squad cohesion is evident. While they don't necessarily need a major influx of new players, one or two strategic signings could provide valuable depth to manage injuries and ensure their competitiveness, particularly as they aim for strong runs in both the FA Cup and League Cup competitions. -- EK

CHELSEA

The reigning WSL champions have enjoyed a near-perfect start under new manager Sonia Bompastor and already boast an abundance of attacking talent, with the return of forwards Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel from anterior cruciate ligament injuries expected in the second half of the season. However, strengthening in should be a priority.

Erin Cuthbert remains Chelsea's most-reliable option in defensive midfield but while the Scotland international is arguably one of the team's most valuable players, the Blues can't continue to rely on her alone, especially during a demanding season. Youngster Wieke Kaptein has stepped in when needed, but Chelsea could benefit from added depth and experience.

On outgoings, Bompastor may consider loan moves for young talents such as Julia Bartel or Alejandra Bernabe. Despite being with the squad for six months, both have had limited opportunities to feature and a loan spell could provide them with valuable game time and development opportunities, while also helping balance the squad.

As the season progresses, Chelsea will likely go deep into three competitions, as well as challenging for the WSL title, so Bompastor will have to be able to rotate her squad. -- EK

CRYSTAL PALACE

Like most of the teams around the bottom of the table, scoring goals has been a problem for Palace this season. Elise Hughes, who scored 23 goals in 27 games last term to help her team win promotion from the Championship, remains sidelined with an ACL injury, so bringing in more attacking firepower could give Laura Kaminski's side the edge in the battle to avoid the drop.

While Kaminski has regularly hailed the support she has received from club chairman Steve Parish, Palace aren't expected to have a great deal of money to work with in January, so it is about being smart with the budget they do have to ensure they have the best chance of staying in the WSL. As a newly-promoted side, it is always difficult to navigate contract situations due to the uncertainty surrounding the club's long-term future and, with Palace currently at the bottom of the table, it's likely any decisions over players' futures will wait until closer to the summer. -- BL

EVERTON

Only Leicester have scored fewer goals than Everton this season and so bringing in another forward feels like a necessity, particularly with the club having lost the creativity of midfielder Inma Gabarro to an ACL injury in September. Brian Sorensen's side also have just the one recognised centre-back in Megan Finnigan, so bolstering that back line would also be a smart move.

Sorensen has had to be smart with his transfers over the past couple of years owing to Everton's wider financial struggles. While the Blues are unlikely to spend big in January, the manager confirmed after his team's Merseyside derby win in November that he has already earmarked his targets for January, so there are expected to be incomings. But, like their city rivals Liverpool, Everton don't have a particularly deep squad, so departures aren't expected.

Among the players out of contract next summer are midfielders Lucy Hope and Justine Vanhaevermaet. Both have played a vital role under Sorensen so far, so it might be wise to extend their stays. -- BL

LEICESTER CITY

Leicester started the season strongly under new manager Amandine Miquel, but a combination of injuries and tough fixtures have derailed their momentum. Now, just one point above the relegation zone, the team face a challenging second half of the campaign.

Injuries have hit Leicester hard, leaving them without a natural striker for an extended period. Midfielder Ruby Mace has been deployed in the role while Jutta Rantala, Lena Petermann, and Noémie Mouchon remain sidelined. Adding to their woes, Shana Chossenotte suffered an ACL injury early in the season, ruling her out for the remainder of the campaign. While injuries are not unique to Leicester, wealthier clubs like Manchester City possess the depth and funding to better absorb such setbacks.

Short-term loans from other WSL clubs could help Leicester cover their paper-thin squad in key positions for the rest of the season. However, relying on loans is not a sustainable solution for long-term league stability. Miquel has provided young players with valuable minutes, which bodes well for their development, but the lack of experienced players leaves the team vulnerable. -- EK

LIVERPOOL

It's hard to assess where Liverpool are at the moment because they've had so many injuries all over the pitch. The impending return of some of those players, including last season's top-scorer Sophie Román Haug, should give the team a massive boost but, with Matt Beard's side having only scored nine goals in 10 games so far this term, adding another reliable goal threat would be a smart idea.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, there's unlikely to be the budget available to seriously bolster their ranks in January. Beard admitted as much after his team's defeat to Arsenal, though he has previously said he would be looking to bring "possibly one" new player to the club next month. He also described Japan international Fuka Nagano as "one of the best holding midfielders in the world," so handing her a new long-term deal feels imperative.

Liverpool are already down to the bare bones due to injury so it's unlikely they will sanction any major departures in January. That said, promising young defender Hannah Silcock could perhaps benefit from a loan spell in the second half of the season. -- BL

MANCHESTER CITY

City came into this season with one of the most complete squads in the WSL, but injuries have hit them hard in recent weeks, with major absences in both attack and defence. An injury to captain Alex Greenwood, while not as serious as first feared, means it would make sense for Gareth Taylor's side to dip into the market for another central defender. Though defender Kerstin Casparij has just signed a new deal to secure her future.

The club recently hired Therese Sjögran as the club's director of women's football, following her 10-year stint as sporting director at Swedish champions FC Rosengård, and her knowledge of Swedish market could prove useful.

Also, keep an eye on the future of England forward Chloe Kelly. She is out of contract at the end of the season and has largely been relegated to a bench role in recent months. With Euro 2025 coming up next summer, it would not be a surprise to see her leave in search of regular game time. -- BL

MANCHESTER UNITED

Despite several key departures, United recruited well in the summer and look to have the spine of a very good squad. They have the best defence in the WSL, while midfielder Grace Clinton has continued the excellent form she displayed on loan at Tottenham. However, they've only scored 16 goals so far this term -- nearly half the number managed by league leaders Chelsea -- and adding another goal threat could help take them from top-three challengers to title contenders.

While United could benefit from adding to their attacking ranks, uncertainty over the future of Hayley Ladd -- who has made just three WSL appearances so far this season -- means a midfield reinforcement could be a necessity too. With Wales having qualified for next summer's Euros, Ladd may well be eager to leave the club in the hope of getting more minutes under her belt.

Meanwhile, there are several players out of contract at the end of the season, including Millie Turner, Jayde Riviere and Clinton, though the latter does have an option to extend for another year. The futures of all of those players will need to be looked at sooner rather than later. -- BL

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Spurs have endured a turbulent first half of the season following the highs of last year, which saw them reach the FA Cup final and secure a top-six finish. This season, however, they've struggled to maintain form, often squandering early leads to settle for draws against mid-table opponents.

The departures of Celin Bizet and Grace Clinton have left significant gaps in the squad. Clinton returned to her parent club, Manchester United, and Bizet signed for them permanently, leaving Spurs without two key contributors from last season. Although the club brought in Maite Oroz and Hayley Raso to bolster the team, injuries have disrupted their impact.

If Spurs are to progress, reinforcements are crucial, particularly in midfield, defence, and goalkeeper. The club are eyeing Sweden international Jennifer Falk to share responsibilities with Becky Spencer in goal, but could do with some seasoned players to bolster a defensive line which has leaked 23 goals, the second highest in the league thus far.

Tactical cohesion has also been elusive so far for manager Robert Vilahamn, with formations and player linkups seldom delivering consistent results. Adjustments in both recruitment and strategy will be key to turning their season around. -- EK

WEST HAM UNITED

West Ham's need for experienced players remains a glaring issue. After four transfer windows under Rehanne Skinner, the club have yet to address long-standing gaps that predate her tenure. While it's commendable that they club have leaned on younger players, West Ham's ability to compete against top-tier teams, who boast squads filled with seasoned talent, highlights the stark difference in squad depth and experience.

Skinner has previously opted to offer longer contracts to younger players rather than shorter, high-value deals for more experienced names, citing budget constraints -- an all-too-familiar scenario for mid-to-lower table teams. While this strategy has its merits for future development, West Ham urgently need to find immediate solutions.

Leveraging the loan market could be a lifeline, as several top clubs are eager to send players out for short-term experience. However, West Ham must also prioritise filling key gaps left by the summer departures of Hawa Cissoko, Honoka Hayashi, and Mackenzie Arnold. Without bolstering the squad with seasoned professionals, the team risk further struggles. Currently sitting ninth, just three points above the relegation zone, West Ham must strike a balance between nurturing young talent and acquiring the experience necessary to secure their survival. -- EK

The transfer window is set to open in the Premier League, German Bundesliga and French Ligue 1 on Jan. 1, with Spanish LaLiga and Italian Serie A a day later, as clubs are looking to do some mid-season business.

ESPN's reporters have everything you need to know about the top teams' hopes as they delve into deals that might be in the cards. Who will come in? Who will depart?

PREMIER LEAGUE

LIVERPOOL

Budget: Having decided against spending big in the summer, Liverpool still have plenty of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) wiggle room, though they're only likely to dip into the transfer market should a target become unexpectedly available.

What does the team need? The two positions that are in most glaring need of reinforcement are defensive midfield and left-back. Liverpool came close to signing Real Sociedad's Martín Zubimendi last summer for 52m, viewing him as the ideal candidate to fill their longstanding void in the No. 6 role, but he ultimately decided to remain in San Sebastian. The emergence of Ryan Gravenberch has made Zubimendi's non-arrival look like a blessing in disguise, though Liverpool still retain an interest in the Spain international, and having someone to lighten Gravenberch's workload would be a good idea going into the second half of the season.

Who are the major targets? Aside from Zubimendi, who has also garnered interest from Manchester City, Andy Robertson's struggles this term mean Liverpool are likely to upgrade at left-back in the coming transfer windows, with Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez and Wolves' Rayan Aït-Nouri among the names being linked.

Who could be leaving? It's unlikely there will be any major departures for Liverpool in the January window. Arne Slot's side are fighting for the title and therefore need as many bodies available as possible. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move to Real Madrid as uncertainty over his future rumbles on. But, sources have told ESPN that he is Madrid's top defensive target following an injury to right-back Dani Carvajal, the Spanish club are likely to wait until next summer to try and tempt him to the Bernabéu on a free transfer.

Any new contracts? Liverpool fans will certainly hope so. As well as Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are both out of contract at the end of the season. Negotiations with all three players remain ongoing but, from the club's perspective, the sooner they all sign new deals, the better. -- Beth Lindop

CHELSEA

Budget: Chelsea remain adamant they are compliant with PSR, but another big splurge is unlikely.

What does the team need? Stability. Chelsea's transfer spending surged past the 1 billion mark this year since owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took control of the club in May 2022, leading to a dramatic overhaul of the squad. Sources have told ESPN that the club are moving into a different, calmer phase of their transfer strategy, although they will still continue to scour the world for the best young talent. Despite their outlay to this point, a case can be made for further upgrades in goal, at centre-back and in attack, although Nicolas Jackson has done his best of late to make the argument against signing another forward.

Who are the major targets? Chelsea pursued a deal for Victor Osimhen late in the summer window prior to the striker leaving Napoli for a loan to Galatasaray. Any encouragement that a move could be revived would make the club seriously consider another attempt. One promising centre-back they are tracking is Tomás Araújo at Benfica. It remains to be seen whether the Portuguese club would allow the 22-year-old to leave midseason and in any case, Chelsea would likely face competition from Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.

Who could be leaving? Out-of-favour left-back Ben Chilwell is perhaps the highest-profile member of the so-called "bomb squad," a group of players deemed surplus to requirements and marginalised by new boss Enzo Maresca in an attempt to convince them to leave. Midfielders Carney Chukwuemeka and Cesare Casadei are also available, while Deivid Washington and Lucas Bergstrom could depart either on loan or permanently. Bergstrom's contract expires at the end of the season.

Any new contracts? The vast majority of the Chelsea squad have long-term contracts. Talks are ongoing over signing young defender Josh Acheampong to fresh terms, with his current deal running out in 2026. -- James Olley

ARSENAL

Budget: Modest, but room for manoeuvre.

What does the team need? Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal are not planning major investment in the January window. The club are open to making a move if injuries create an emergency, or an unexpected opportunity arises, but there is no strategy for major surgery next month. Injuries in defence could trigger a temporary move if the situation does not ease in the next few weeks but there is a longer-term plan to bolster their attacking options. Arsenal's set-piece prowess has masked a slight drop in their creativity of late and many supporters feel another striker could make the different between competing for and winning the Premier League.

Who are the major targets? Arsenal retain an interest in RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Šeško. Sources have told ESPN that there is a belief in Germany that the 21-year-old could be allowed to leave at the end of the season despite only signing a new contract this year. The Gunners have also tracked Newcastle's Alexander Isak and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres among others. They may also look to add a central midfielder depending on what decisions are made regarding veterans Jorginho and Thomas Partey.

Who could be leaving? Gabriel Jesus may attract some interest as he struggles for regular game time, but earlier this month, Arteta dismissed reports he could leave in January. Arsenal are likely to listen to any offers for full-backs Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Defender Jakub Kiwior has attracted interest from Serie A clubs including Napoli but Arteta will be reluctant to part with the Poland international if he remains short on defensive options.

Any new contracts? Jorginho and Partey are out of contract at the end of the season. Arteta has made positive noises about keeping both players, but compromises would have to be reached in both cases if Arsenal pursue fresh talks. Jorginho is likely only to be offered a one-year extension given he turns 33 on Dec. 20, while Partey would be required to take a wage cut. -- Olley.

MANCHESTER CITY

Budget: City's ability to get big transfer fees for academy graduates means they're in a strong position in terms of PSR; they also banked more than 80m from the deal which saw Julián Álvarez move to Atlético Madrid in the summer. Last week, City announced club revenue is up to a record 715m, with profits at 73.8m.

What does the team need? There's an obvious need for a central midfielder. Rodri is unlikely to play again this season after undergoing knee surgery, Mateo Kovačić is only just back from his own injury layoff and Ilkay Gündogan has struggled since his return from Barcelona in the summer. Goals have also been a problem. Alvarez, who averaged a goal every game across two seasons at City, wasn't replaced and he's been a big miss.

Who are the major targets? Guardiola is a long-term admirer of Bruno Guimarães. Newcastle's 100m valuation was a problem in the summer, but City would be interested again if they drop their demands. If Real Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi decided to leave in January, City would be among the suitors. Club sources have, however, been strong in saying that there is no interest in Paul Pogba, who is a free agent after leaving Juventus. City have tracked Eberechi Eze for a while, but it's unlikely that Crystal Palace will let him leave midway through the season. The same goes for his teammate Adam Wharton, who also has fans at the Etihad.

Who could be leaving? Guardiola likes to keep a small squad, and it's been stretched to its limit this season because of injuries to key players. It's unlikely anyone will leave in January because City cannot afford to lose any more players.

Any new contracts? City still need to decide what to do about Kevin De Bruyne. The 33-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of the season and there has been interest from clubs in MLS and Saudi Arabia. -- Rob Dawson.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Budget: Spurs are in a strong PSR compliance position, so there is scope to invest.

What does the team need? Speaking on Dec. 4, Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said: "There's no doubt we need some bolstering in that front third over the course of the next couple of transfer windows." Fresh injury setbacks for Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven could make a centre-back signing more of an immediate priority and central midfield is another position which could use an upgrade, but Postecoglou's thinking in where Spurs need to improve in the longer term could not be clearer.

Who are the major targets? Sources close to Spurs have privately distanced the club from reported interest in Lille striker Jonathan David, but they are one of several Premier League clubs monitoring Matheus Cunha at Wolverhampton Wanderers. They have also scouted AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders, while reports in Italy suggest Inter Milan's Davide Frattesi is of interest.

Who could be leaving? Richarlison's future is not entirely clear. Postecoglou remains an admirer of the 27-year-old striker but his persistent injury problems have become frustrating for Tottenham and several clubs are circling. Losing him mid-season would surely only happen if Spurs could guarantee a replacement coming in, given Postecolgou's desire to increase his defensive options. Full-backs Djed Spence and Sergio Reguilón would be allowed to leave if a suitable offer emerges.

Any new contracts? The main issue here centres on captain Son Heung-Min. His deal expires at the end of the season, but Spurs have the option to extend by a further year, which removes some of the urgency on the club's side. However, the 32-year-old is hopeful of securing a longer-term deal but meaningful talks have so far not taken place. Tottenham are also talking to Romero over a fresh deal amid persistent speculation that Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain could be interested in the Argentina international. -- Olley

MANCHESTER UNITED

Budget: Ruben Amorim has been told there is very little budget to sign new players after United posted losses of more than 300m over the past three seasons.

What does the team need? The priority positions, if there is going to be any business done in January, are left-back and striker. Amorim has been told to work with the players he's got, but there's a general acceptance that he will eventually need at least one specialist wing-back for his 3-4-3 system. Luke Shaw is injured again and Tyrell Malacia is continuing his comeback after more than a year on the sideline. Diogo Dalot has filled in on the left, but he's far more comfortable on the right.

Who are the major targets? United are set to sign 17-year-old Paraguayan left-back Diego León but he's unlikely to join the first-team squad for at least six months. Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has struggled since his arrival and while Amorim likes Sporting star Viktor Gyökeres, he's considered more of a long-term target at around 80m.

Who could be leaving? Given their financial position, United will listen to realistic offers for almost every player in the squad. Victor Lindelöf and Christian Eriksen are out of contract at the end of the season and are unlikely to get new deals; both would be available for a minimal fee in January. Marcus Rashford's future is also in doubt. Moving on an academy graduate would help the club's PSR position, but United found in the summer that there was very little market for the England forward. His high wages and long contract are a major stumbling block.

Any new contracts? United are hopeful of getting winger Amad Diallo to sign a long-term contract after impressing this season. His deal expires in the summer, although United hold an option to extend until 2026. Harry Maguire could also have a one-year option in his contract triggered to protect his transfer value ahead of a potential departure in the summer. -- Dawson

EUROPE

BARCELONA

Budget: Nothing.

What does the team need? Barcelona need cover in the full-back positions, if not upgrades on Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé. They also require short-term competition for Robert Lewandowski and a long-term replacement for the 36-year-old striker. More width would be welcome, too. When Lamine Yamal was absent with an ankle injury, they struggled in that department. A defensive midfielder has also been a long-term need, but young Marc Casadó is covering that hole for now.

Who are the major targets? Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor. Yes: Barça's main goal is to register summer signings Olmo and Victor for the second half of the campaign. They are currently on temporary registrations which expire on Dec. 31. Barça need to make space in their salary cap to extend them. Because of that, there's an acceptance that signings will be difficult. Sporting director Deco's work is more based on next summer, with players whose contracts are expiring, like Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah and Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies, being targeted.

Who could be leaving? Ansu Fati and Pablo Torre are two players that have not played as much as they would have liked this season. Their futures will be analysed in January. Defender Eric García is another player who has been linked with an exit, but he looks more likely to stay for now.

Any new contracts? Barça are advancing well in talks to extend Pedri and Gavi's contracts, which expire in 2026. In fact, there are a lot of players moving into the final 18 months of their deals, including Ronald Araújo, Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen. If they don't renew, the club will listen to offers for them in the summer. Iñigo Martínez is out of contract at the end of the season but pushing for a new deal, while back-up left-back Gerard Martín is also set to sign new terms, as much as anything to protect his transfer value. -- Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens

REAL MADRID

Budget: Madrid don't like spending in January, and their planning for the summer involves high-profile free transfers rather than big fees. But they have some money to spend, if required.

What does the team need? A right-back is badly needed, with first-choice Carvajal ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL tear, and backup Lucas Vázquez proving to be a defensive liability, as evidenced in Saturday's 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano. Youngster Raúl Asencio and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni have also been filling in at centre-back, although David Alaba's long-awaited return from injury should help there.

Who are the major targets? Alexander-Arnold is the right-back Madrid want, but a midseason departure from Premier League-topping Liverpool is highly unlikely, if not impossible. A number of young centre-backs have been linked with Madrid, but none have solidified as being a serious option for January.

Who could be leaving? Nobody, at present. The squad has been hit so hard by injuries this season that even bit-part players like midfielder Dani Ceballos have been called upon to feature regularly, while coach Carlo Ancelotti has insisted youngsters Arda Güler and Endrick will not be allowed to depart on loan.

Any new contracts? There's nothing urgent, with the only players with deals expiring in 2025 being Luka Modrić, 39, Vázquez, who renews year-on-year, and Jesús Vallejo, who has no future at the club. Asencio has impressed since coming into the first team and will need a new deal soon. -- Alex Kirkland and Rodri Faez

ATLÉTICO MADRID

Budget: Atlético invested heavily in the squad last summer -- bringing in Alvarez, Conor Gallagher, Alexander Sørloth and Robin Le Normand for a total of around 185m -- so won't be investing much in January.

What does the team need? A full-back on either flank would be welcome, although left-back Javi Galán has won Simeone over in recent weeks, and midfielder Marcos Llorente is now a defacto right-back. A defensive-minded deep-lying midfielder would be useful too, after the failure of Arthur Vermeeren -- signed for 22m earlier this year, and now on loan at RB Leipzig -- to convince the coach.

Who are the major targets? No names have emerged yet as genuine contenders. If a deal does materialise, it would be low-profile and low-risk, given the experience of Vermeeren, who barely featured after his much-hyped arrival in January 2024.

Who could be leaving? An exit for the perennially injured Thomas Lemar -- who was absent for almost all of 2023-24 and has only featured twice this season -- would be welcome, but finding a suitable club willing to take him might be challenging. Antoine Griezmann is expected to leave for MLS at some point, but that's more likely to come in the summer, with Atletico challenging for the LaLiga title, a trophy Griezmann has never won.

Any new contracts? Defender Reinildo Mandava is out of contract in the summer and is no longer a guaranteed starter, so a decision must soon be taken on him, and Giuliano Simeone must be due an improved deal soon, given how impressive he's been since breaking into the team. -- Kirkland and Faez

BAYER LEVERKUSEN

Budget: Leverkusen don't have a dedicated transfer budget allocated for the January window and the 120m exit of starlet Florian Wirtz, which would have raised funds, is now off the table.

What does the team need? Leverkusen are looking to bolster their options in central defence and attacking midfield. These two positions have been the focus in recent weeks.

Who are the major targets? Sources have told ESPN that Leverkusen will sign Argentine striker Alejo Sarco in January. Sarco is viewed as the most promising young striker in the country and would join on a free transfer as his contract with Velez Sarsfield expires on Dec. 31. A potential target in attacking midfield is Rayan Cherki of Lyon, given the player's profile and the French club's desperate need to offload players. However, Cherki might have been scouted as a potential replacement for Wirtz.

Who could be leaving? Rumours about Jonathan Tah's future seem certain to ramp up in the coming weeks. The defender opted to stay at Leverkusen last summer despite extensive talks with Bayern, but he also did not extend his contract. Barcelona and Bayern are the two front-runners to sign the 28-year-old if he leaves on a free transfer next summer, and Tah and his agent are reported to have recently met with Barca.

Any new contracts? Recent reports indicate that Leverkusen and Wirtz are close to reaching an agreement over a contract extension. Since Amine Adli recently extended his contract and Tah's will run out no matter what, no other talks are immediate. -- Constantin Eckner

BAYERN MUNICH

Budget: Bayern's bank accounts are topped up so the Bavarian powerhouse are always able to finance a major signing or two. However, they are seemingly saving their resources to make a splash in the summer transfer market.

What does the team need? The team needs a backup striker to fill in when Harry Kane is tired or unavailable. The England skipper suffered a thigh injury during the Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund, and it has since become very obvious that Bayern don't possess a suitable replacement.

Who are the major targets? Bayern haven't been linked with any specific targets for January but are rather looking ahead to the summer to flex their muscle in the transfer market. Among the targets are Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and Athletic Club winger Nico Williams. Moreover, sporting director Max Eberl recently stated that the club would not sign a striker in January, arguing that Bayern are only successful economically because they act thoughtfully in terms of investments.

Who could be leaving? Leon Goretzka would be the prime candidate for a move during the January window, but the 29-year-old midfielder has stressed to club officials that he has no desire to leave the club right now.

Any new contracts? Bayern are trying to extend the contracts of three key players -- Jamal Musiala, Davies and Joshua Kimmich, with Musiala set to become the club's top earner alongside Kane. Meanwhile, it seemed for a long time that Davies would leave Bayern in light of Real Madrid's reported interest, but the Canada left-back has seemingly changed his mind and could extend his contract, just like Kimmich. Contract extension negotiations with defender Dayot Upamecano are also expected to start in the coming weeks, while the German champions currently do not intend to offer winger Leroy Sané a new contract unless he shows significant improvement during the second half of the season. It also seems increasingly possible that veteran forward Thomas Müller will retire at the end of the season and removed his 17m-a-year salary from the books will see some financial wiggle room for other major signings. -- Eckner

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Budget: Due to investments of up to 80m during the summer transfer window, the budget for this season is almost exhausted.

What does the team need? Given the injuries woes, particularly in defence, with Niklas Süle expected to be sidelined for several months, the club could be looking at potential additions at centre-back. Manager Nuri Şahin recently expressed caution when asked about winter signings but indicated that Dortmund could be active in the window.

Who are the major targets? Since the injuries to Dortmund's centre-backs only occurred recently, the club have not had a lot of time to identify the perfect targets. However, someone who has been on Dortmund's radar for a while is PSV defender Olivier Boscagli.

Who could be leaving? Dortmund won't be looking to offload any key players in January, though a few might not be happy with their current situation. The most prominent example is Donyell Malen. The Netherlands winger hasn't been able to nail down a regular starting spot over the past few years and is viewed as an inconsistent player who is better suited to coming off the bench. Malen could potentially find a new employer if he wants to force his way out.

Any new contracts? Only third-choice goalkeeper Marcel Lotka possesses a contract that expires next summer. Hence, Dortmund are in no hurry to offer extensions at this time. And as for the 29-year-old Süle, whose deal runs out in 2026, Dortmund are not currently willing to offer him new terms -- Eckner

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN

Budget: There is money available for manager Luis Enrique, between 50m-100m if needed.

What does the team need? Officially, the plan is not to sign anyone in January and Luis Enrique is said to be happy with his squad, despite the lack of a proper goal scorer in his ranks. However, if players leave -- with defender Milan Skriniar and/or forward Randal Kolo Muani very likely departures this winter -- then they should be replaced.

Who are the major targets? Sporting director Luis Campos and Luis Enrique are big fans of Brazilian prodigy Vitor Reis, who is only 18 but is already a starter at centre-back with Palmeiras, sources have told ESPN. Up front, Galatasaray loanee Victor Osimhen and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyökeres, who are both doing well, remain the main targets, but sources said that RB Leipzig's Benjamin Šeško is also on the shortlist.

Who could be leaving? Skriniar, who has started only five games in all competitions this season, is desperate to leave, and Juventus and Real Madrid are monitoring his situation. Kolo Muani wanted to stay to show he could succeed in his hometown, but Luis Enrique isn't playing him and he was dropped from the squad against Lyon. Monaco are keen on a loan for the France international, while clubs in England (Everton) and in Germany (Leipzig) are also interested.

Any new contracts? Although they are yet to announce anything, PSG have already extended the contracts of manager Luis Enrique, right-back Achraf Hakimi, midfielder Vitinha, and left-back Nuno Mendes. Though that should be made official before the end of December. -- Julien Laurens

ATALANTA

Budget: The club have posted nine straight years of profit in their accounts and made another 18m over the summer, so they can spend if needed.

What does the team need? Not much. They could use some more depth in central midfield, one of the few areas of the pitch where coach Gian Piero Gasperini doesn't rotate much. Midfielder Éderson is one of the best in the world in his position, but club captain Marten De Roon turns 34 in March. Atalanta like to move early in the summer transfer window so don't be surprised if they focus their attention on that.

Who are the major targets? The preferred option for depth in midfield is probably in-house where they hope that Ibrahim Sulemana can grow into a reliable understudy for De Roon and Éderson. Bayer Leverkusen loanee Odilon Kossounou would cost them 25m to make his deal permanent -- the club like him, but I'm not sure they like him enough to keep him around at that price.

Who could be leaving? In these situations you look to the guys they brought in who haven't played very much. They spent a decent amount to sign Ben Godfrey, but he has hardly featured and with Rafael Tolói and Giorgio Scalvini returning from injury, it's not clear where he'll fit. Goalkeeper Rui Patrício hasn't played at all and seems content to be Marco Carnesecchi's backup. His deal is up in the summer and if he finds a taker, they might let him go early.

Any new contracts? Sead Kolašinac is a free agent in June and you imagine he'll get a new deal, even at 31, as he's been fantastic. Mario Pašalić is in a similar situation but is a few years younger, while they'll have a big call to make on Nicolò Zaniolo, who is on loan from Galatasaray. -- Gab Marcotti

NAPOLI

Budget: Napoli have been very profitable over the past few seasons, and that's what allowed them to put together a net spend of nearly 138m in the summer to satisfy Antonio Conte. That splurge, plus the fact there's no income from European football this year, means they can't spend big in January. But that doesn't mean they won't bring in players, perhaps after moving others out. Because what Conte wants, Conte often gets.

What does the team need? Given there's no European football and they're out of the Coppa Italia, I'd be tempted to say not much at all. Maybe some extra cover at the back, but that's about it. They've had no long-term injuries and they're doing well in Serie A, so there's no real need to redesign the team. That said, Conte feels differently. There's talk of bringing in a couple of defenders -- one centre-back and one versatile player -- and a holding midfielder.

Who are the major targets? Conte had been linked to Juventus' Danilo earlier this year when he wasn't playing much, but now he's playing a bigger role and is the team captain you don't expect him to move. Conte's top priority is a central defender since he doesn't appear to be a fan of Juan Jesus or Rafa Marín, and a versatile full-back who can cover either flank. Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior has been mentioned time and again, though he's had a big run of games recently and I'm not sure, given the injuries they've had, that they'd let him go without finding a replacement. So Napoli may have to look elsewhere. Cristiano Biraghi -- out of contract with Fiorentina in June -- could be a cheap and cheerful full-back option.

As for holding midfield, Conte would look to his old buddy from the Chelsea days, Nemanja Matić. He's actually been playing regularly for Lyon at 36 years of age. But given his high wages and the fact that the club are in trouble with financial regulators in France, he might be available.

Who could be leaving? Basically, the guys Conte doesn't seem to trust, which includes Rafa Marín, Juan Jesus, and Leonardo Spinazzola. Up front, between wingers and forwards, Conte has no fewer than nine players. You'd assume Giacomo Raspadori could be available on loan, so too Michael Folorunsho and Cyril Ngonge. Then there's the elephant in the room: Star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has a long-term contract through 2027 but needs a new deal since he's ridiculously underpaid. Yet so far he hasn't signed. If a big enough offer came along from elsewhere, they would probably listen.

Any new contracts? Kvaratskhelia is the obvious priority, but not the only one. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Alex Meret are both free agents in June. The latter should extend, the Cameroon international remains a question mark and has suitors. But not until the summer. -- Marcotti

INTER MILAN

Budget: The team is doing fine, the club lose money every year (but the losses are shrinking) there's no real reason for them to spend in January, unless they raise money through exits, which is unlikely.

What does the team need? Not much, not to the point of paying a mid-season premium anyway. The squad isn't young, but it's deep and over the past few years the strategy has been to find young players who can grow into starters and round out the team with free transfers. Inter will be looking for a midfielder and central defender, but not necessarily for January and, likely, it will be a slow burn. The corps of reserve forwards isn't hugely impressive, but unless someone takes a Marko Arnautović or a Joaquín Correa off their hands they won't be adding to it.

Who are the major targets? Unless somebody suffers a serious injury in the next few weeks, I don't think they'll be adding to the first-team squad in January. Sure, some areas could stand upgrading, but coach Simone Inzaghi has the luxury of two options for pretty much every position and he loves his rotation.

Who could be leaving? Other than the aforementioned summer free agents, Correa and Arnautović (who have no incentive to move), there aren't many guys Inter will want to move on. Kristjan Asllani and Tajon Buchanan are young(ish) players who don't get many minutes and have long-term contracts and I guess they might go on loan, but that's it. Of course, there's always the risk that somebody rocks up with a major offer for one of their stars: Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, Lautaro Martínez, Federico Dimarco, etc. And if a big enough offer arrives, they won't say no. But that's unlikely in January.

Any new contracts? Inter have seven significant players with deals expiring in 2025 or 2026, but they're all 32 or older (or, like Correa, players they don't want to keep) so they're in no rush. Their key men are locked up through at least 2027, so the pressure is somewhat off in that sense. -- Marcotti

JUVENTUS

Budget: Juventus have been haemorrhaging money for years and while they were able to cut the wage bill, they still had a net spend of 61m this past summer. That said, they realise the importance of investing to be able to generate more money and create a virtuous cycle. So there will be some money available, beyond what they can raise from players they shift.

What does the team need? Following season-ending injuries to Bremer and Juan Cabal, which is half of their back line, defence is key. The emergence of Nicolò Savona and Andrea Cambiaso means full-back is less of a priority, but they definitely need another centre-back, because Federico Gatti and Pierre Kalulu can't do it on their own all year long. Another striker as an alternative to Dušan Vlahović would be useful too, given that Tim Weah has had to play there on occasion and Arkadiusz Milik has been out since June and there's no telling what condition he'll be in when he returns.

Who are the major targets? Juve love Benfica's António Silva, but he would cost around 100m, so I doubt that's a possibility until the summer. Feyenoord's Dávid Hancko keeps getting mentioned, possibly because he has 18 months left on his contract, and he wouldn't come cheap either, but it's doable. Another option is to bring Skriniar back to Serie A, since he's not getting much love from Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain. As for the forward, there was talk of landing Joshua Zirkzee on loan after some of his early struggles at Manchester United since he played for Thiago Motta last year at Bologna. For that to happen though, Ruben Amorim would have to write him off by January and I doubt that's a possibility. More likely they'll assess where Milik is in January and figure it out from there.

Who could be leaving? Like every window since that horrendous swap deal for Miralem Pjanić, they'll be trying to shift Arthur Melo. This time they may actually succeed since he actually did OK on loan at Fiorentina last year and you imagine he's not going to be picky since he hasn't played a single first-team minute for Motta this season. Nicolo Fagioli isn't getting much playing time and doesn't seem to be a natural fit in Motta's 4-2-3-1. For the right deal, he may be available, possibly on loan, possibly on a permanent. Douglas Luiz has been a bust, relative to the 50m they paid to sign him, but it's hard to see him moving, except on loan, given he has a long-term contract.

Any new contracts? Danilo is out of contract and Juve need to decide whether, at 33, he should get a new deal and for how long. They'll also want to figure out whether they want to make Porto winger Francisco Conceição's loan deal permanent. He's done OK, but they spent big to sign Nico González and already have Kenan Yıldız, Weah and Samuel Mbangula for the wide areas. They also need to start working on Vlahović's new deal, with his current terms only having 18 months left. -- Marcotti

AC MILAN

Budget: The club have basically run at break-even the past two seasons, which is why they were able to put together a net spend of 40m in the summer. And for the right player, they could push the boat a little in January, plus whatever they raise from exits, which could be significant, since they have a number of gifted young players on board.

What does the team need? First and foremost, Milan have to figure out whether they'll continue to back coach Paulo Fonseca (I think they should). It has been an up-and-down season and he's had run-ins with several stars. Assuming they do stick with him, right-back could use an upgrade since Davide Calabria is a free agent soon and Emerson Royal has been a bust. Tammy Abraham is only on loan and Álvaro Morata isn't really a traditional centre-forward these days, so the club will want to push for a central striker, but that probably won't be until the summer.

Who are the major targets? Milan like Jonathan David from Lille (though he didn't have the best time with Fonseca when they were together last year) but as a free agent in the summer, he's going to want a big contract and it's unlikely he'll arrive in January.

Who could be leaving? Alessandro Florenzi and Luka Jović are free agents in June, so if somebody wants them, they could go straight away. Theo Hernández has had two bust-ups with Fonseca already and his transfer could fetch a hefty fee, but he's also in contract extension mode as his deal is up in 2026. Noah Okafor and Fikayo Tomori have their admirers and don't seem to be Fonseca favourites, but there's no real pressure to shift them either.

Any new contracts? Theo Hernández is an absolute priority as is goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Both their deals are up in 2026. Beyond that, their house is pretty much in order right now, though reports have suggested that USMNT star Christian Pulisic is closing in on a new agreement that would see the 26-year-old stay at San Siro until 2028 or 2029. -- Marcotti

Iowa will retire former star Caitlin Clark's No. 22 jersey on Feb. 2 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, the school announced Wednesday.

The Hawkeyes will face USC that day, and Clark will be in attendance.

"I'm forever proud to be a Hawkeye, and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball," Clark said in a statement. "It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I've admired for so long."

Clark finished her college career as the all-time leading scorer in women's and men's Division I history, with 3,951 points.

As a senior last season, Clark broke the record set by Washington's Kelsey Plum to become the women's NCAA Division I scoring leader, then passed AIAW star Lynette Woodard of Kansas for the major college women's record and LSU's Pete Maravich, who holds the Division I men's scoring record.

Clark led Iowa to back-to-back national championship games and three Big Ten tournament titles. She was consensus national player of the year as a junior and senior.

Clark was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. She was WNBA Rookie of the Year and helped the Fever make their first playoff appearance since 2016.

"Caitlin Clark has not only redefined excellence on the court but has also inspired countless young athletes to pursue their dreams with passion and determination," Iowa athletic director Beth Goetz said. "Her remarkable achievements have left an indelible mark on the University of Iowa and the world of women's basketball.

"Retiring her number is a testament to her extraordinary contributions and a celebration of her legacy that will continue to inspire future generations. Hawkeye fans are eager to say thank you for so many incredible moments."

Booth had been in charge of Ospreys since 2020 and was due to leave at the end of the season.

During his tenure he guided them to the URC Welsh Shield in 2021-22 and 2023-24. He also saw Ospreys reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals and the URC play-offs last season.

"It is never nice when a coach leaves his job like that and it is not for me to comment on any decision," said Peel.

"I just know he has done a good job there."

Ospreys said in September Booth would be succeeded by former Wales wing Mark Jones, who has stepped up from his defence coach role to take over six months earlier than expected.

He is somebody Peel knows well having come through the Llanelli youth ranks together into the Scarlets side before also becoming Wales team-mates.

"What he will bring is energy and enthusiasm and will get them emotionally ready for this game," said Peel.

"Knowing him as well as I have over the last 30 years he will definitely bring those elements to their team and I wish him all the best in the role.

"He is a rugby man through and through and I am sure he will do a good job there."