Having spent their Saturday afternoon fruitlessly beating fists against José Mourinho’s brick wall, Liverpool reckon some fresh cut and thrust is in order. The man on Jürgen Klopp’s radar is Sheffield United’s rising star David Brooks, the 20-year-old winger who has been lighting up the Championship. Blades manager Chris Wilder says Brooks – who has played for England and Wales at youth level – is not for sale, but that is not going to stop Liverpool pitching up at Bramall Lane in January with £10m.

Mike Ashley puts Newcastle United up for sale and seeks exit by Christmas Read more

Arsenal have made their peace with losing Mesut Özil, possibly in January to Internazionale, as well as Alexis Sánchez next summer. They will look to Milan’s 21-year-old attacking talent André Silva as a replacement and have also got their eye on Barcelona’s 17-year-old wonderkid Abel Ruiz, who has a temping £3m release clause. Barça are keen to tie him to a new deal with a more appropriate price tag, but the Gunners are at the front of a queue of clubs eyeing a bargain.

However, a more pressing concern at the Camp Nou is finding a new left-back after a dip in Jordi Alba’s form. Marcos Alonso has caught Barcelona’s attention with some impressive performances for Chelsea and a lavish head of hair Alba could only dream of. He is a Real Madrid boy but Barça are hopeful that wads of cash will smooth that particular bump.

Real Madrid face Tottenham in a Champions League tie at the Bernabéu on Tuesday evening and Emperor Florentino Pérez will be watching. He will command the purchase of Harry Kane as his new plaything for £150m next summer, should he be suitably impressed with what he sees.

Play Video 0:47 Harry Kane is a 'complete player', says Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane – video

If you thought Manchester City were done spending, think again. Fernandinho and Yaya Touré are both out of contract next summer, and rather than offer them new deals Pep Guardiola fancies splashing out on Borussia Dortmund’s 22-year-old holding midfielder Julian Weigl, one of the most sought-after players in Europe.

Swansea are set to sign the Slovenian left-back and free agent Matic Paljk, who has impressed on trial at the club, West Brom want to tie Jonny Evans to a new deal to ward off any January interest from the Premier League’s big fish, and Rafa Benítez wants Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun to lead Newcastle’s line.

In managerial news, Carlo Ancelotti is confident of returning to Juventus and will turn down offers from Milan and Italy to make it happen.