Manchester City remain hopeful of persuading Pep Guardiola to stay as they are keen to appoint him as England’s new manager.
Guardiola is the Football Association’s dream target to succeed Gareth Southgate and lead the Three Lions at the 2026 World Cup in the USA.
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The Spaniard was informed about the England job at the start of this season and has not ruled himself out as his contract with Man City expires next summer.
However, The Pitch Prospect understands that City are relaxed about the FA’s approach and are willing to hand Guardiola a rolling deal that will see him extend his deal by one year at a time.
Should Guardiola actually decide to leave the champions, he could make his decision as early as next month.
Sources close to Ruben Amorim believe the Sporting Lisbon coach will be at the top of their list of possible successors.
His current boss at Sporting, Hugo Viana, will become City’s new director of football from next season, leading to suggestions he could try to bring Amorim – previously a contender for the Liverpool job – to the Etihad Stadium.
Isak has a view of the exit?
Alexander Isak has put clubs like Arsenal on alert as he continues to hesitate about signing a new contract at Newcastle.
As previously reported in the Notebook, Isak has been in talks over a new deal at St James’ Park for several months, but there are no obvious signs of progress in negotiations.
The Pitch Prospect has been told the Swede is demanding a wage package that makes him Newcastle’s top earner, as well as a release clause to determine his future.
Arsenal have a long-standing interest in 25-year-old Isak and are expected to push to sign a new No.9 next summer, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko also on their shortlist.
Isak, who scored 21 Premier League goals last season, is under contract at St. James’ Park until the summer of 2028.
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Back home
Forgotten Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney could make an emotional return to former club Celtic.
Scotland international Tierney has been told he can leave north London in January and Celtic are said to be monitoring his situation.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of his admiration for Tierney since his first spell with the Glasgow giants.
Tierney has not played since suffering a serious hamstring injury in Scotland’s draw with Switzerland at the European Championships in Germany this summer.
The 27-year-old played more than 100 SPL games for Celtic before joining Arsenal for £25million in the summer of 2019.
Departure of the Great Dane
Christian Eriksen is unlikely to stay at Manchester United beyond the end of this season despite his recent promotion back into the first team, The Pitch Prospect understands.
Eriksen has become one of Erik ten Hag’s under-pressure players in recent weeks. He started six of United’s last seven games in all competitions and scored three goals.
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However, the Dane will be 33 by the time his contract expires next summer and minority owners want to lower the average age of the squad.
Old club Ajax would be keen to re-sign Eriksen, who is also attracting attention from Saudi Pro League and MLS clubs.