What the papers say
The Sun reports 30-year-old Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has snubbed a new six-year contract, claiming the club are not showing him enough “respect” over wages. The paper reports Mendy, 30, earns around £100,000 a week and wants parity with his Blues rival Kepa Arrizabalaga whose salary is reportedly twice that amount.
The Mail, in a report citing Italian newspaper Repubblica, reports Arsenal are attempting to sign 27-year-old Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
Meanwhile, the Evening Standard reports Mikel Arteta is yet to decide whether or not to let 31-year-old Cedric Soares leave in January. Soares is reportedly being chased by Fulham and Bayer Leverkusen.
And the same paper writes Crystal Palace are considering re-signing 25-year-old defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United, three years after he moved to Old Trafford.
Social media round-up
Claims Real Madrid are ready to sign Kylian Mbappe for €1bn branded 'a joke' and 'grotesque'https://t.co/i8cjIe9fBT
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) December 23, 2022
🗣️ "I haven’t spoken to him about his fitness and how he feels but it could be that he’s nearing the end of it [his career]"https://t.co/T14DZH6v1T
— Mirror Football (@MirrorFootball) December 23, 2022
Players to watch
Jude Bellingham: The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder is more interested in Real Madrid than Liverpool, Manchester City or United, according to Spanish publication AS.
David Datro Fofana: Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reports Chelsea have agreed a £10.5 million deal to sign 20-year-old Molde forard David Datro Fofana.
