Summary

  1. 'Al-Hilal eye summer Fernandes move'published at 09:30 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal are set to renew their interest inManchester United and Portugal midfielder Bruno Fernandes in the summer after failing to sign him in January.

    According to the Mail, the Old Trafford captain is the latest big name to be targetted by clubs in the Middle East.

    Fernandes has reportedly rejected previous overtures, but that will not stop Al-Hilal returning with a summer bid.

    Bruno FernandesImage source, Getty Images
  2. PSG wait on Mbappe decisionpublished at 09:26 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    There was a lot of chat about Kylian Mbappe's future over the weekend amid reports the France striker has agreed to join Real Madrid in the summer.

    PSG are still unsure of Mbappe's plans - and believe the forward has agreed he will tell chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi first when he has decided what he is going to do.

    However, unlike last year, when PSG threatened to refuse to pick Mbappe for fear they would lose him for nothing when his contract expires, now the Ligue 1 leaders are quite relaxed.

    In resolving the Mbappe issue last summer, PSG managed to secure their financial position.

    And now, they have plans they can activate if Mbappe stays or goes.

    Evidently, any club would want Mbappe in their squad but if he did leave, it would create a lot of opportunity to spend under UEFA's new FFP rules.

  3. Postpublished at 09:25 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Let's take a look at some of the juiciest transfer gossip doing the rounds this morning...

  4. Ex-Premier League striker Holt lends support to non-league Derehampublished at 09:22 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Some nice non-league news to bring you now.

    Former Norwich City striker Grant Holt has said he wanted to make sure non-league Dereham Town were around "for a long time", after the 42-year-old was part of a consortium of local people which has formed a new strategic relationship with the club.

    "We're doing it because this is a big part of the community. We want more kids through the door and set a longevity plan for them rather than a short-term goal," said Holt.

    The Magpies are rebuilding after they were relegated to the ninth-tier of English football last season.

    Holt has also registered as a player, making Dereham the 20th club in his career.

    He made his debut in Tuesday's Norfolk Senior Cup defeat to Norwich City's under 21s side at Aldiss Park.

    Grant HoltImage source, Getty Images
  5. Lingard lands in Koreapublished at 09:17 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Simon Stone
    BBC Sport

    Jesse Lingard has arrived in South Korea for talks about joining FC Seoul.

    The K League club are understood to have offered Lingard a lucrative two-year contract.

    It is not certain the former England and Manchester United star will take up the offer but it is anticipated if he does, he would undergo a medical tomorrow.

    The 31-year-old has been without a club since his contract with Nottingham Forest expired at the end of last season.

  6. Who can Chelsea draw in Women's Champions League quarter-finals?published at 09:15 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Speaking of Emma Hayes, her Chelsea side will avoid holders Barcelona, eight-time winners Lyon and two-time finalists Paris St-Germain in the Women's Champions League quarter-final draw tomorrow.

    The Group D winners are seeded in the draw and will play the second leg of their tie at home at Stamford Bridge.

    They could face Benfica, Ajax, Brann or Hacken in the last eight, to take place on 19-20 and 27-28 March.

    The draw takes place on Tuesday at 12:00 GMT.

    The semi-finals will be in April, with the final at Athletic Bilbao's San Mames stadium on 25 May.

    Chelsea are hoping to win the competition for the first time in Hayes' final season as manager.

    Barcelona womenImage source, Getty Images
  7. 'The stuff that dreams are made of'published at 09:10 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Under Hayes, Chelsea have won six WSL titles, five FA Cups and two League Cups since 2015. They are top of the WSL and have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League, and the manager says winning either would be "incredible".

    "To keep winning, like we have done for so many years, will be a challenge in itself" she said. "But to do it knowing that there's change coming at the end of the year, will be a real credit and a testament to the players to be able to stay focused."

    Hayes will become the best-paid female manager in the world and one of the highest-profile figures in US sport when she joins the four-time world champions in the summer, but says she has not "thought about anything beyond this season because I simply don't have the time".

    "Of course, I'll be excited. To be able to return to a country that I grew up coaching in, and now get the opportunity to lead that nation. It'll be a massively proud moment for me and my family. Come the summer, I'm sure I'll pinch myself a few times because it's the stuff that dreams are made of."

    Emma HayesImage source, Getty Images
  8. 'Vital need for significant improvement'published at 09:06 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Despite a dramatic increase in the number of girls and women playing football in England in recent years, there are few female coaches at the top of the sport, and the men's professional game is yet to see the permanent appointment of a female first-team coach.

    Following Brighton's sacking of Melissa Phillips last week, Carla Ward (Aston Villa), Rehanne Skinner (West Ham), and Lauren Smith (Bristol City) are the only other female head coaches in the WSL, alongside Hayes. There are six female bosses in the Women's Championship.

    "We have to look at the cost of it as a starting point" said Hayes, who is an ambassador for Fun Football, external, a programme aiming to tackle under-representation in the sport, including the training of female coaches.

    "It's about £10,000 to do a Pro Licence. And the wages in the women's game are insignificant compared to the men's game.

    "We have to think about educating players much earlier on in their careers, maybe even during international breaks where there's more downtime… and most importantly, support so that they can go through the coach education. We have to commit more money to coaches, not just in the women's game, but women coaches in general."

  9. Lack of female coaches 'a massive issue' - Hayespublished at 09:02 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Hayes says a lack of female coaches in English football is "a massive issue" and urged the game to "come up with more creative ways" to address it.

    She says these should include "minimum standards" for professional clubs around the hiring of female coaches, and more support to help women afford the cost of gaining qualifications

    "We've got a lot of work to do to close that gap," Hayes said.

    The 47 year-old led the champions to a fourth consecutive Women's Super League (WSL) title last season, and will become the next USA women's national team manager in the summer.

    But only a third of WSL clubs have female managers, and Hayes is one of only 21 women across England with a Uefa Pro Licence.

    "We have to recognise that the opportunities are few and far between. We need to think of different ways to educate women from a younger age," she told BBC Sport.

    Media caption,

    Emma Hayes speaks to BBC's Dan Roan on the shortage of female coaches

  10. Emma Hayes speaks to the BBCpublished at 09:00 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Outgoing Chelsea Women manager Emma Hayes has sat down for an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with BBC sports editor Dan Roan, as she enters the final few months before leaving the WSL champions to take charge of the United States women's national team.

    Hayes, as ever, has plenty to say - particularly about the state of coaching in English women's football and the opportunities for female managers.

    Here's what she had to say...

    Emma HayesImage source, Getty Images
  11. get involved

    Get Involved - Phil McNulty Q&Apublished at 08:56 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Our chief football writer Phil McNulty will be on hand to answer your questions today.

    Do you have a question on the Premier League title race, Arsenal's celebrations after beating Liverpool or maybe Chelsea and Crystal Palace's struggles? Should Mauricio Pochettino and Roy Hodgson be given more time?

    The 2026 World Cup schedule has been announced while Neil Warnock has been linked with the Aberdeen job

    Get your questions in using the methods above and please leave your name on messages!

  12. Beckham booed after Messi left on the benchpublished at 08:50 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Angry fans in Hong Kong booed Inter Miami during a pre-season friendly after Lionel Messi did not play.

    The Argentina World Cup winner, 36, who had a hamstring injury, was left on the bench as Inter beat a local League XI 4-1 in front of almost 40,000 fans.

    There were chants of "refund", while a speech by Inter co-owner David Beckham was drowned out by booing.

    The Hong Kong government said match organisers Tatler Asia may face a reduction in funding.

  13. Improved Forest performance earns pointpublished at 08:45 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Bournemouth 1-1 Nottingham Forest

    Forest had lost their past two league games against Brentford and Arsenal but an improved display secured them a point against Bournemouth which helps their survival hopes.

    Callum Hudson-Odoi's second league goal of the season cancelled out Kluivert's early opener and the visitors defended stoutly to restrict Bournemouth to few chances.

    Goalkeeper Matz Sels also put in a solid performance on his Forest debut after signing from Strasbourg on deadline day, dealing well with the hosts' set pieces throughout.

    Media caption,

    AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Nuno 'pleased' with the way Notts Forest played

  14. Subdued Cherries struggle to break down Forestpublished at 08:41 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Bournemouth 1-1 Nottingham Forest

    The other Premier League game yesterday saw Bournemouth held to a draw at home to Nottingham Forest.

    The stop-start nature of the game played into Forest's hands with Bournemouth unable to capitalise on their fast start.

    The hosts took the lead after five minutes when Justin Kluivert prodded in at the far post from a corner.

    Dominic Solanke made his 200th Cherries appearance but was unable to mark the milestone with a goal as the visitors' defence kept him quiet for the majority of the contest.

    Andoni Iraola's side had nine shots but just two on target as they struggled to hit their free-flowing best - and will see this as a missed opportunity to end a four-game winless run in the top flight.

    Media caption,

    Bournemouth 1-1 Nottingham Forest: Iraola Forest were fresher, Cherries lost momentum

  15. Listen: Football Dailypublished at 08:35 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Football Daily

    Ben Haines and Nedum Onuoha round up Sunday’s Premier League football in the Football Daily.

    They’re joined by former Liverpool winger Stewart Downing and The Athletic’s Adam Crafton. You can Hear from Mikel Arteta and Jürgen Klopp after Arsenal close the gap on Liverpool.

    Get Mauricio Pochettino’s reaction as Wolves leapfrog Chelsea, and hear from Erik ten Hag after Manchester United's win over West Ham.

  16. City keen to keep Haaland for the long termpublished at 08:31 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Monday's back pages

    The Daily Star

    The Daily Star say Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has challenged Real Madrid to make an offer for Erling Haaland if they really want him.

    There were reports in Spain last week that Haaland dislikes life in Manchester so much that he wants to leave the club.

    However, Guardiola says City are keen to keep the Norway international "for a long, long time."

    Daily StarImage source, Daily Star
  17. Alisson blunderlandpublished at 08:29 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Monday's back pages

    The Guardian

    The Guardian focus on some calamitous Liverpool defending in their defeat at Arsenal and also have a line from Chelsea.

    The Guardian back pageImage source, The Guardian
  18. Postpublished at 08:26 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Monday's back pages

    The Daily Express

    The Daily Express also covers off events at the Emirates, Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford on their back page.

    Daily ExpressImage source, Daily Express
  19. 'Mart-break for United'published at 08:25 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Monday's back pages

    Daily Mirror

    The Daily Mirror leads with Sunday's top of the table Premier League match between Arsenal and Liverpool and also says Manchester United's win over West Ham was marred by that knee injury to Lisandro Martinez.

    Daily Mirror back pageImage source, Daily Mirror
  20. 'Day it all clicked'published at 08:21 Greenwich Mean Time 5 February 2024

    Monday's back pages

    The Daily Mail

    The Daily Mail, says everything clicked for Arsenal on Sunday but point out Manchester City could benefit most from the result.

    There is also the suggestion that Mauricio Pochettino could be under pressure at Chelsea given they are now 11th in the table and have spent an absolute fortune on players over the last 18 months or so.

    Daily Mail back pageImage source, Daily Mail