The tense Frenkie de Jong transfer saga continues with uncertainty on his Barcelona future.

The 25-year-old Dutchman has two years to run on his Barcelona contract, having postponed part of his deal during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

De Jong is unwilling to accept another pay cut to remain at Camp Nou, though, amid the club's hefty off-season transfer spending.

TOP STORY – DE JONG DECISION OVER ENGLISH SUITORS

Decisions will be made on Frenkie de Jong's future at Barcelona after their United States tour, with interest from Chelsea alongside Manchester United, reports Sport.

De Jong is reluctant to leave Camp Nou, particularly for a move to Old Trafford, despite ending last season out of favour.

However, the Dutchman is more open to Chelsea's advances, but the Blues are unwilling to pay as much as United, leaving the Blaugrana in a bind.

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– Leicester City have placed a £70million asking price on Wesley Fofana, who is being courted by Chelsea, reports CBS Sports.

– Newcastle United are considering a move for Chelsea's Germany international forward Timo Werner, claims Bild. Juventus are also interested in Werner according to Sky Sports.

– Fabrizio Romano reports that ex-Chelsea midfielder Oscar is pushing for a move from Shanghai SIPG to Flamengo, with talks ongoing.

– L'Equipe believes that Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has agreed to a deal with Ligue 1 club Nice, although Leicester City are yet to approve the move.

– Arsenal and Fulham are in talks over an £8m deal for goalkeeper Bernd Leno, claims Sky Sports.

– Roma head coach Jose Mourinho is trying to woo Manchester United defender Eric Bailly to the Italian capital, reports The Daily Mail.

Former Tottenham and Belgium midfielder Mousa Dembele has announced he will retire from football when his Guangzhou City contract expires later this year.

The 34-year-old spent six and a half years with Tottenham and has also previously played for Fulham, AZ, Willem II and Belgian side Germinal Beerschot.

Dembele joined Guangzhou in January 2019 and has made 47 appearances for the club in the Chinese Super League.

But the former Belgium international, who was capped 82 times and played at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, intends to call time on his career when the 2022 CSL season – set to begin in April – concludes.

"Thank you for all the nice messages," Dembele posted on his personal Instagram page on Tuesday.

"Just to be clear, I haven't stopped yet. I still have a year left on my contract, but I can already share I will stop my career after this year is finished."

Dembele is the second member of Belgium's so-called 'Golden Generation' to announce his retirement this year, with Thomas Vermaelen doing so last month following a spell with Vissel Kobe.

Arsenal have fallen out of the Premier League's top tier in recent years.

But the Gunners are determined to re-emerge under manager Mikel Arteta.

With Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang set to leave, Arsenal are ready to spend.

TOP STORY – ARSENAL DETERMINED TO LAND VLAHOVIC

Arsenal are determined to land Dusan Vlahovic despite the Serbian wanting £300,000 (€360,000) a week in wages, says the Daily Mail.

The Fiorentina forward is being chased by a host of clubs but the Gunners are ready to sign him despite a transfer bill around £150 million (€180m), with La Viola asking for a £58m (€70m) fee.

Juventus, Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United have all been linked with the 21-year-old.

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- Manchester City could make a move for Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric claims El Nacional. The Croatian is not happy with the terms offered by Madrid on a new deal with his current contract set to expire at the end of this season.

- Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger prefers a move to Real Madrid over Paris Saint-Germain when his current contract expires according to Football London. Both clubs have offered deals to the Germany international.

- The Mirror reports that Edinson Cavani has committed to Manchester United for the remainder of the season after discussions with interim manager Ralf Rangnick.

- Barcelona have approached former Chelsea midfielder Oscar about joining the Catalans, claims TNT Sports Brasil. Oscar is currently contracted with Chinese club Shanghai Port.

- Tottenham are ready to sell record signing Tanguy Ndombele during the January transfer window, reports the Daily Mail. PSG, Milan, Roma, Lyon, Barcelona and Newcastle United are among the clubs interested in Ndombele according to the Star.

Vinicius Junior has been in dazzling form for Real Madrid.

Previously linked with Paris Saint-Germain as part of a possible deal to bring Kylian Mbappe to the Spanish capital, Vinicius has established himself under Carlo Ancelotti.

Now, a bumper contract is on the cards.

TOP STORY – VINICIUS SET FOR NEW DEAL

Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior is set to hold contract talks with the LaLiga giants, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Vinicius is contracted to Madrid until 2025 but Los Blancos are determined to offer the Brazil international fresh terms.

The 21-year-old has been in red-hot form at the Santiago Bernabeu this season.

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- El Nacional reports Barcelona are targeting Beijing Guoan striker Cedric Bakambu as a short-term replacement for sidelined star Sergio Aguero, who is facing at least three months out due to a potential heart condition.

- Luka Jovic is eager to leave Madrid in January, says Defensa Central. The Serbia international has been linked with former club Eintracht Frankfurt, Inter, Milan, Arsenal and Liverpool.

- Manchester United have rejected the chance to sign struggling Madrid star Eden Hazard, claims the Daily Mail. Hazard has also been reportedly snubbed by Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Newcastle United.

Fabio Cannavaro has stepped down as head coach of Guangzhou as the Chinese Super League side continue to face an uncertain future.

The legendary former Italy centre-back was in his second spell in charge of the club having returned in November 2017, two years after being replaced by Luiz Felipe Scolari.

He guided Guangzhou to the title in 2019 but his position was called into question following last year's runners-up finish.

And with troubled majority shareholders Evergrande Group reportedly on the brink of collapsing, Guangzhou have decided to cut short Cannavaro's latest spell in charge.

"After friendly negotiation, Guangzhou Football Club decided to terminate the contract with Mr. Fabio Cannavaro," a club statement read on Tuesday.

"Since November 2017, Mr. Cannavaro has served as the head coach of the Guangzhou team, leading the team to win the 2018 Chinese Football Association Super Cup champion, the 2019 Chinese Football Association Super League champion and many other honours.

"Here, I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Fabio Cannavaro for his great efforts and positive contributions to the Guangzhou team, and wish him all the best in the future."

Roma have completed the signing of forward Stephan El Shaarawy.

The 28-year-old Italy international has rejoined the club on a reported two-and-a-half-year contract.

El Shaarawy had left Roma for Shanghai Greenland Shenhua in July 2019 for €16million and won the Chinese FA Cup later that year.

He completed his return to the Stadio Olimpico exactly five years after he marked his Roma debut with a goal against Frosinone.

"When I arrived in Rome the first time I realised how little time it takes for this club and this city to make a deep impression on you," he told the club's website.

"When I left I quickly realised that both would always be in my heart. Now I cannot wait to be once again representing this club and these colours."

General manager Tiago Pinto said: "Everyone knows the quality El Shaarawy has, but few are aware of the full extent of his desire to come back and wear the Roma shirt once more – and it is that desire and belief in our project that made all the difference.

"Today we are delighted to welcome him back to the club once again."

El Shaarawy scored 40 goals in 139 appearances for Roma in his first spell with the club.

The former Milan man returns with the Giallorossi third in Serie A heading into the weekend games, four points behind Inter in second.

Rafael Benitez has left his position as coach of Dalian Professional by mutual consent.

Former Liverpool, Inter and Real Madrid boss Benitez linked up with the Chinese Super League side in July 2019 following his departure from Newcastle United.

He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the club but, citing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, Benitez and Dalian have elected to part ways early.

"Unfortunately, like so many things in the last year, COVID-19 has changed our lives and our projects," Benitez said in a statement on his website.

"From today, both my coaching staff and I will sadly no longer be coaching the Dalian Professional F.C.

"It has been an incredible experience and for this I would like to thank all my staff, coaches, medical and club staff as well as our players; their commitment to us in the first place, their support during the time we were there, and their effort has been magnificent.

"The pandemic is still here, for all of us, and supporting our families has been a priority when making this decision.

"Behind us, in China, and especially in Dalian, we are leaving many friends and good memories in a great city with very knowledgeable fans. We have tried to learn and understand a new culture and also to transmit a more professional, more European vision of football with a new methodology.

"I'm convinced we have left a structure and a methodology that will allow the project to go ahead successfully. Since we arrived, the first team has been rejuvenated and the foundations have been laid for the future, from the grassroots schools to the top.

"In addition, it has been done taking into account the training of players in China under a unique project, that combines football and training at school level up until the doors of the professional teams.

"I say goodbye sadly under these circumstances, but at the same time I am convinced that the future will be bright for Dalian Pro FC."