Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all monitoring Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, while Tottenham Hotspur have moved ahead in the race to sign United States star Christian Pulisic from AC Milan. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Multiple Premier League clubs are tracking Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, according to TEAMtalk. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal are reportedly among the teams interested in the 20-year-old, with scouts being sent to watch him regularly this season. The Serbia international has caught the eye in the Champions League this season with goals to help Brugge win each of their last two games of the league phase and secure a place in the playoffs to reach the knockout rounds, Stankovic is reportedly keen on a return to Inter Milan, who included a clause in his transfer to Brugge that gives them the chance to re-sign over the next two years, but the Serbia international has a growing list of suitors across Europe.

– Tottenham Hotspur are leading the race for AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic, TEAMtalk reports. Spurs have registered “concrete interest” in the 27-year-old, with the belief that he could make an instant impact at the club. The report adds that his representatives have also made contact with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, but Spurs, who have recently been linked with United States men’s national team manager Mauricio Pochettino, have been the most interested. Pulisic will enter the final year of his contract at San Siro in the summer.

– AC Milan are keen to sign Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie on a free transfer, Calciomercato reports. The USMNT player has been a consistent starter for Juve boss Luciano Spalletti, and Bianconeri officials have made it a top priority to get the 27-year-old to commit to the club beyond his existing contract, which runs out in June. However, last week Tuttosport reported that Inter Milan are hoping to sign McKennie as a free agent in the summer, and now their city rivals Milan have entered the fray.

– A move for Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu is being considered by Manchester United, according to Tuttosport. The Red Devils are believed to be sending scouts to watch the 25-year-old in the Serie A match against Inter Milan on Saturday, and there is also interest from other clubs in the Premier League. Aware of clubs from Europe circling for Kalulu’s signature, the Bianconeri are reportedly hopeful of warding them off by offering him a new four-year contract that would include a salary increase to €3.5 million a season.

– Manchester City attacking midfielder Bernardo Silva is on the radar of Juventus, according to Calciomercato. The 31-year-old is set to become a free agent in the summer, and with no sign of an extension at the Etihad Stadium on the horizon, the Bianconeri are hopeful of signing him on a free transfer. Silva is seen as a potential addition alongside Atalanta midfielder Éderson who could be difficult to sign amid competition from Atlético Madrid, who enjoyed a 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their Copa del Rey semifinal on Thursday (stream a replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.).

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DONE DEALS

OTHER RUMORS

– Liverpool remain hopeful of signing defender Ibrahima Konaté to a contract extension. (The Athletic)

– Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is expected to sign a contract extension to keep him at Old Trafford beyond this summer. (TEAMtalk)

– Manchester City aren’t planning to hand defender John Stones a new deal. He is set to become a free agent in June. (Caught Offside)

– Juventus could be willing to keep striker Dusan Vlahovic at the club if accepts a lower salary. He is yet to receive any “attractive” offers from Europe. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Clubs in the Premier League are interested in Villarreal midfielder Alassane Diatta. (Marca)

– Al Hilal striker Darwin Núñez could leave the club in the summer. He has recently been unregistered from their squad for the Saudi Pro League. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Sporting KC striker Dejan Joveljic is attracting interest from Tigres as well as clubs in the MLS. (Ekrem Konur)

– Torino are considering a move for Empoli defender Gabriele Guarino. (Nicolo Schira)

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James became the oldest player in NBA history to have a triple-double, accomplishing the feat for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night against the Dallas Mavericks.

James had 28 points and 12 assists when he grabbed his 10th rebound with 2:06 to play in the Lakers’ 124-104 victory. James got a standing ovation when he checked out moments after grabbing his final rebound to complete his 123rd career triple-double, fifth most in NBA history.

At 41 years and 44 days old, James broke the record held by Karl Malone, who recorded a triple-double for the Lakers when he was 40 years and 127 days old.

But the top scorer in NBA history hadn’t had a triple-double since Feb. 1, 2025, in New York. That day is better remembered in Lakers history for the late-night breaking news of the trade that brought Luka Doncic to the Lakers in a seismic trade for Anthony Davis.

Malone had held the record as the oldest player with a triple-double since he had 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists on Nov. 28, 2003, during his final NBA season. James recorded the next 15 triple-doubles on that list, and he repeatedly came close to setting the record over the past year, but didn’t quite reach it until the Lakers’ final game before the All-Star break.

After missing Tuesday’s game against San Antonio, James was aggressive and active from the opening tip against the Mavericks in the absence of Doncic. The NBA scoring leader missed his fourth straight game for the Lakers because of a mild hamstring strain.

James put up 14 points and six assists in the first quarter, and he had 18 points, eight assists and four rebounds by halftime. He topped double digits in assists during the third quarter, and he played the entire fourth quarter before grabbing the 10th rebound.

James was selected for his 22nd All-Star appearance this weekend at Intuit Dome, even though he has missed 18 games this season because of injury. That means James is ineligible for inclusion on his 22nd All-NBA team.

James entered this game averaging 21.8 points, 6.9 assists and 5.7 rebounds for the Lakers, who are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race despite playing only 10 games with James, Doncic and Austin Reaves simultaneously healthy. James missed the first 14 games of the season while dealing with sciatica.

Including the playoffs, James has 152 career triple-doubles.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid career has not got off the ground yet but, fit again after injury, the England right-back could be crucial for the Spanish giants in the second half of the season.

With Alvaro Arbeloa’s side still taking shape following the coach’s arrival in January, Alexander-Arnold has the chance to make himself a key part of the club’s battle for silverware.

Pellegrino Matarazzo’s in-form Real Sociedad visit the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday in La Liga, in what promises to be an enticing clash.

Arbeloa’s Madrid are looking to move two points clear of Barcelona and take the lead in La Liga before the Catalans visit Girona on Monday.

Former Liverpool full-back Alexander-Arnold, who came off the bench last weekend as Madrid beat Valencia, could potentially start for the first time since December 3.

After a decent early showing for Madrid at the Club World Cup last summer, hamstring and thigh injuries have stopped him settling in, limiting him to 12 appearances across all competitions this season.

“After (he’s had) a long time out, we will proceed with caution,” said Arbeloa after Alexander-Arnold’s return, with Spanish newspaper AS reporting Madrid’s aim is for him to start against Benfica in the Champions League play-off round on February 17.

Even if Arbeloa uses veteran Dani Carvajal or youngster David Jimenez to start against Real Sociedad, the expectation is for Alexander-Arnold to get more crucial minutes under his belt.

With superstar striker Kylian Mbappe a doubt for the game because of knee discomfort, the defender’s creative input could prove an important weapon for Los Blancos against a Real Sociedad side unbeaten in nine matches.

Matarazzo’s side defeated champions Barcelona last month and have one foot in the Copa del Rey final after a semi-final first leg win at rivals Athletic Bilbao this week.

Winger Vinicius Junior is set to return from suspension for Madrid after missing the effective but uninspiring win over Valencia.

Alexander-Arnold, one of the finest crossers and passers of a ball in the world, is yet to fully unfurl his attacking tool-kit for Madrid.

His return could be a welcome boost for the bad-tempered Bernabeu crowd, who have been on their own team’s backs in recent weeks after coach Xabi Alonso’s dismissal and a run of inconsistent form.

Alexander-Arnold has the talent to dazzle supporters in the Spanish capital, and if he can stay fit, the opportunity to establish himself as a vital pillar of Arbeloa’s project is ripe for the taking.

Player to watch: Ademola Lookman

New Atletico Madrid signing Lookman made a strong start to life on his debut against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey with a goal, but last weekend against the same opponents in La Liga he was kept quiet as the Rojiblancos fell to a narrow defeat. In the derby clash against Rayo Vallecano this weekend the Nigerian forward will be looking to get off the mark in the Spanish top flight.

Key stats

3 – red cards for Oviedo forward Federico Vinas, the league record in a season is four

11 – clean sheets kept by Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, more than any other goalkeeper

2070 – minutes played by Mallorca defender Martin Valjent, the only outfield La Liga player to complete every match so far

Fixtures

Friday (all times GMT)

Elche v Osasuna (2000)

Saturday Espanyol v Celta Vigo (1300), Getafe v Villarreal (1515), Sevilla v Alaves (1730), Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (2000)

Sunday

Real Oviedo v Athletic Club (1300), Rayo Vallecano v Atletico Madrid (1515), Levante v Valencia (1730), Mallorca v Real Betis (2000)

Monday

Girona v Barcelona (2000)