Sports Burst - Solari's To Make First Real Madrid Signing?
River Plate star Exequiel Palacios appears set for a Real Madrid move in the January transfer window
Solari returns to River Plate roots for Exequiel Palacios swoop
The circle of life. It's beautiful.
It looks like the first signing of freshly-appointed, primed and painted Real Madrid boss, Santiago Solari is going to be an Argentinean from River Plate. Quite apt for a coach who is Argentinean and played for River Plate.
Spanish sports outlet Marca is reporting that a deal has been struck for highly-rated River Plate midfielder, Exequiel Palacios, to join Real Madrid in the winter transfer window.
The announcement is set to be made once the 20-year-old has completed his River Plate duties after the second-leg of the Copa Libertadores final. The fee is expected to be in the region of $20 million with a contract to 2024.
However, with the universe needing balance, Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport is musing that Milan might be making a hefty bid for Karim Benzema now that the King Zlatan route has been blocked.
Although it is highly unlikely to happen - strikers are thin on the ground in Madrid - it could restart the Great Benzema v Higuain Wars from around eight-years-ago.
Claudio Ranieri returns to Premier League to take over Fulham
Happy days! Claudio Ranieri is back managing in the Premier League.
The Italian who pulled off the 5000-1 miracle by leading Leicester City to the title in 2016 - and was swiftly sacked next season - has been appointed as new Fulham boss.
Unfortunately, the bad news fell upon the man who lead the London club to the Premier League from the Championship - only to get the chop - Slavisa Jokanovic. Despite a hefty investment of over $100 million in the summer, Fulham is bottom of the Premier League table with just five points and having conceded 31 goals in 12 games.
"This Fulham squad has exceptional talent that is contrary to its position in the table," was the positive message from Ranieri whose first game in charge will be a home encounter against Southampton after the international break.
Barcelona may dump Dembele on Liverpool
TRANSFER TRACKER!
The Barcelona for Ousmane Dembele might end up with a happy ending for both player and club. A troubled spell in La Liga for the Frenchman, plagued by stories of arriving late, missing training sessions and open criticism from teammates could be ended by Liverpool in January.
'Reports' suggest that Jurgen Klopp could extend a comforting around the player - and add to his impressive roster of forwards - with an $85 million offer.
Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho apparently wants to offload Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo in the winter. Just for kicks.
USMNT gets ready for England challenge
Time to carefully peak ahead to Thursday's action when international football returns to end the brief pause in the world of soccer.
Over in Europe and in the Nations League, Belgium and Spain can all but seal the deal on winning their respective groups with victories over Iceland and Croatia respectively.
The USA is also over in the Old Country with a friendly clash - and Wayne Rooney testimonial - against England. The game will be another test to see if there is a new dawn for the team with the likes of Timothy Weah breaking through.
Elsewhere, Germany will be playing Russia in a tempting friendly considering the less than healthy state of the Mannschaft these days.
The Sports Burst live show with our Gabrielle Amado and George D Metellus will bring you everything you need to know - and didn't need to know - at 12PM ET / 9AM PT on the beIN SPORTS Facebook page, followed by the XTRA with Kevin Egan at 7PM ET / 4PM PT.