REVEALED: THE VERY SIMPLE REASON FERNANDINHO HASN'T SIGNED A NEW MAN CITY DEAL YET

There is concern among the club's fans that the influential Brazilian midfielder can speak to new clubs in the New Year and leave on a free next summer ADTECH GmbH (Master default) There is a very good reason why neither Manchester City nor Fernandinho are rushing through a contract extension - his current deal doesn’t actually expire until 2018. ADTECH GmbH (Master default) Zabaleta glad 'strange' run is over It is widely believed that Fernandinho is one of seven City players whose contracts expire at the end of the season, and indeed that he is the only one of the seven to be offered a new deal. But there had been some concern among City fans that he could speak to other clubs about a free transfer from January 1. It had even been rumoured in Italy last weekend that Juventus were ready to pounce given the supposed uncertainty surrounding his future. But the Brazilian signed a five-year deal when he joined City from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013 and he still has 18 months to go before it expires. It is understood that all parties are keen for the midfielder to extend his stay at the club, and that a new deal could be finalised in the New Year, but there is no rush to conclude talks. 'If Pep was an English coach, fans would be going bananas' - Redknapp City are likely to say goodbye to Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Bacary Sagna, Willy Caballero, Jesus Navas and Yaya Toure when their deals expire in the summer, and all men will be free to speak to prospective new clubs at the turn of the year. But Fernandinho, who has proven so important to Pep Guardiola’s plans so far, will not be joining them.

RUMOURS: LIVERPOOL TO MAKE A JANUARY MOVE FOR ANDERLECHT WINGER

The 23-year-old can play on the left wing but also at left-back, which is an area of some concern at Anfield, with James Milner currently operating on a short-term basis Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is ready to make a January move for Anderlecht winer Frank Acheampong, according to a report in the Sun. The Reds boss has had the Ghana international watched in action several times and is considering a potential move in the next window. Although the 23-year-old is predominantly a left wing, he can operate from left-back, which is an area for concern for Jurgen Klopp, with James Milner currently filling in gaps. Acheampong, who joined the Belgian side three years ago, will play in the Africa Cup of Nations next month, which may complicate any possible transfer.

RUMOURS: MAN CITY BATTLE BARCA FOR BENFICA KEEPER

Pep Guardiola will have to fight it out with his former team in January if he is to land 23-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper and bring him to the Etihad Stadium Manchester City are set to fight it out with Barcelona for Benfica goalkeeper Ederson Moraes, says the Manchester Evening News. The 23-year-old is another of the breed of ball-playing goalkeepers admired by City boss pep Guardiola and his former employers at Camp Nou. Guardiola was linked with a move for Moraes in the summer and with Claudio Bravo struggling with his early life in the Premier League, the Catalan coach may opt to follow through on that interest in January. Barca boss Jose Enrique is also a fan though, and it may be that there is a battle to sign the Benfica shot-stopper come the transfer window, with a fee of at least £20 million needed to complete the deal.

'MESSI & RONALDO BOUND TO BE TEMPTED BY CHINA

Despite the Real Madrid star signing a new, long-term deal for the Spanish giants, Chinese publication Xinhua has suggested he could leave for Asia at the end of his career Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could eventually ply their trade in the Chinese Super League due to the ceaseless amounts of money available, China's official Xinhua news agency believes. 'MESSI & RONALDO BOUND TO BE TEMPTED BY CHINA' 12/14/16TRANSFER ZONESHARE 0 Getty Images Despite the Real Madrid star signing a new, long-term deal for the Spanish giants, Chinese publication Xinhua has suggested he could leave for Asia at the end of his career Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could eventually ply their trade in the Chinese Super League due to the ceaseless amounts of money available, China's official Xinhua news agency believes. Klopp blasts Neville over Liverpool criticism A number of highly reputable players have made the decision to leave the European leagues to play in Asia as China continue to build their reputation. Reports from the Daily Mail suggest that Chelsea midfielder Oscar could be set for a €60 million switch to the CSL with Shanghai SIPG, which would beat the Asian transfer record of €58.5m which Shanghai paid for Hulk in the summer. The 25-year-old has been a regular for Chelsea since joining the club in 2012 but has found himself playing a bit-part role under Antonio Conte and hasn’t started in the league since the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool in September. And, while Shanghai SIPG have refused to comment on a potential transfer for the Brazilian, it is widely expected that another superstar will make the switch in the near future. “The CSL is becoming the richest buyer in world football, with Jackson Martinez, Alex Teixeira and Gervinho all being recent arrivals. Everyone is anticipating the next superstar who'll be on his way to China this winter,” Xinhua published. "Given the huge pay cheques on offer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are bound to be tempted to play in China when they are heading into the autumn of their careers. “Latterly, both Arsenal talisman Alexis Sanchez and South Korea captain Ki Sung-Yueng were also linked with a lucrative move to China. “If CSL’s financial might takes hold, it is believed that a Ballon d'Or winner will come here within a decade." 'MESSI & RONALDO BOUND TO BE TEMPTED BY CHINA' 12/14/16TRANSFER ZONESHARE 0 Getty Images Despite the Real Madrid star signing a new, long-term deal for the Spanish giants, Chinese publication Xinhua has suggested he could leave for Asia at the end of his career Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could eventually ply their trade in the Chinese Super League due to the ceaseless amounts of money available, China's official Xinhua news agency believes. Klopp blasts Neville over Liverpool criticism A number of highly reputable players have made the decision to leave the European leagues to play in Asia as China continue to build their reputation. Reports from the Daily Mail suggest that Chelsea midfielder Oscar could be set for a €60 million switch to the CSL with Shanghai SIPG, which would beat the Asian transfer record of €58.5m which Shanghai paid for Hulk in the summer. The 25-year-old has been a regular for Chelsea since joining the club in 2012 but has found himself playing a bit-part role under Antonio Conte and hasn’t started in the league since the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool in September. And, while Shanghai SIPG have refused to comment on a potential transfer for the Brazilian, it is widely expected that another superstar will make the switch in the near future. “The CSL is becoming the richest buyer in world football, with Jackson Martinez, Alex Teixeira and Gervinho all being recent arrivals. Everyone is anticipating the next superstar who'll be on his way to China this winter,” Xinhua published. "Given the huge pay cheques on offer, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are bound to be tempted to play in China when they are heading into the autumn of their careers. “Latterly, both Arsenal talisman Alexis Sanchez and South Korea captain Ki Sung-Yueng were also linked with a lucrative move to China. “If CSL’s financial might takes hold, it is believed that a Ballon d'Or winner will come here within a decade." Pep: If I fail I'll say 'Ok Stan Collymore' Ronaldo won his fourth Ballon d'Or award on Monday, a month after signing a new, long-term deal at Real Madrid. The Portuguese's extension keeps him tied to the club until 2021, when he will be 36 years of age, while the forward has suggested he will finish his career in the Spanish capital. On completion of his renewal, Real boss Zinedine Zidane said: "Cristiano is unique. What he has done and what he will do. His only intention is to finish his career here. "I am happy because we can renew and he can finish with this white shirt as I did long ago."

CHELSEA OUTCAST MIKEL MAY FOLLOW OSCAR TO CHINA

The Blues midfielder, who doesn't seem to be in Antonio Conte's plans, has offers from clubs in Asia and could be set to make a move out east in January John Obi Mikel has offers from at least two Chinese clubs, as well as clubs in Europe, as he is yet to enter talks with Chelsea over a new deal, Goal understands. The Nigeria captain's contract is due to expire on June 30, 2017 and he is free to talk with clubs in January, as is normal for players with only six months remaining on their contracts. CHELSEA OUTCAST MIKEL MAY FOLLOW OSCAR TO CHINA Nizaar Kinsella 11:42EXCLUSIVESSHARE 0 Getty The Blues midfielder, who doesn't seem to be in Antonio Conte's plans, has offers from clubs in Asia and could be set to make a move out east in January EXCLUSIVE John Obi Mikel has offers from at least two Chinese clubs, as well as clubs in Europe, as he is yet to enter talks with Chelsea over a new deal, Goal understands. The Nigeria captain's contract is due to expire on June 30, 2017 and he is free to talk with clubs in January, as is normal for players with only six months remaining on their contracts. Mou: Why Man Utd are miles behind The 29-year-old could follow Oscar, who is set to break the transfer fee record for a player leaving Chelsea, after Shanghai SIPG offered around £52 million to secure the play-maker from west London ahead of the January window. Marseille and two clubs in China are among those who have made contact with Mikel, who's yet to make a single appearance in the matchday squad for Chelsea since Antonio Conte took charge at Stamford Bridge. Fenerbahce have also added him to their shortlist, while Manchester United have been linked with Mikel, who hasn't played for Chelsea since he travelled to Anfield to face Liverpool under Guus Hiddink last season. Mikel is thought to want to make the move that best suits his family and had previously spoken about an interest in playing football in the United States. Conte insists that Mikel is available and could yet play for Chelsea, while Mikel remains open to renewing his contract if he gets certain assurances.

Biafra: I will expose secrets that will sink Nigeria

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Director of Radio Biafra, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu has threatened that he would expose secrets that are capable of sinking Nigeria. Kanu gave the threat at his resumed trial on Tuesday. In the Tuesday’s ruling, trial Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Federal Government the nod to shield identities of witnesses billed to testify against Nnamdi Kanu. Director of Radio Biafra and Leader, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu as he appeared before Justice Ahmed Mohammed Federal High Court, Abuja on Wednesday, 23/12/2015 Justice Nyako who held that names of all the prosecution witnesses who are mostly security operatives, would not be disclosed in any record of the court proceedings also said that the witnesses would be allowed to testify against the defendants behind a screen that would be provided by the court. Justice Nyako however stressed that both the defendants and their counsel would be allowed to see the witnesses who she said would enter and exit the courtroom through a special door. However, Kanu immediately rejected the court ruling, insisting that it was against the tenets of Justice and fair hearing. “I won’t stand this travesty of Justice. Buhari spoke in public, he accused me in public. I must also be allowed to stand my trial in public”, Kanu bellowed from the dock. “This is nonsense! I will give testimony before this court! By the time I finish, there will be no Nigeria. This is no Sharia court. It is a court that operates under the common law. “There will be no screening of witnesses, no fake identities or fake addresses. I cannot be tried in secret. No! Nnamdi Kanu cannot be jailed in secret! They are mad. Why must I be tried in secrecy by a government that does not obey court orders. “They are killing my people in public, after killing my people they want to try me in private? That person is mad. I won’t allow it. “, Kanu fumed. The IPOB leader is facing an11-count charge alongside three other pro-Biafra agitators, Mr. Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi. Charges against the accused persons border on reasonable felony and their alleged involvement in acts of terrorism. The defendants had earlier alleged plot by the Federal Government to import foreigners to testify against them.

MMM battles to console panic-gripped Nigerians

MMM on Tuesday, frozen by one month, payments of both capital and 30 per cent interest accruing to investors. The announcement jolted Nigerian investors and prompted an investor to contemplate suicide. A man in Makurdi in Benue state of Nigeria was reported to have ingested insecticide after he learnt of the development and was quickly rushed to the hospital. In order to forestall further negative reaction to the crash of the programme, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, has cautioned that suicide rate ‘may’ rise in the state. LASEMA gave the advice after a twitter user cautioned that suicide rates may increase in Lagos, due to the controversial ‘pause’ of the scheme. On its Twitter handle @lasemasocial, the LASEMA RESPONSE UNIT dropped an emergency number to call should any case of suicide arise in any part of the state. It said, “Dial 112 if you see any in your area. #LagosCares.” MMM Nigeria: Dial 112 if you see anyone in your area trying to commit suicide – LASEMA https://t.co/GiQ3C3rwjg @vanguardngr.com — ADEGOROYE (@iteyemi) December 14, 2016 Meanwhile, top MMM guider, Chuddy has addressed MMM investors on the one month freeze of accounts. In a blog post on MMM BLOG on Tuesday, Chuddy called for calm among investors. He said the open letter explains why the one month freeze was implemented, adding that it was to put the Nigerian Government and MMM haters to shame. “This isn’t the first of its kind. It happens when there are excess PANIC in the system It was placed on Zimbabwe and after the duration it was lifted. “As MMM Freezes And Goes Offline Few Weeks Before Christmas This idea is brought forward to Calm the members down on intending Threat the FG and Mass media has planned on the system.’’ Meanwhile, Nigeria’s anti-grant agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has responded to a Twitter user who called the agency out for letting Nigerians fall victim to the MMM scheme. The Twitter user, @Lolami_Boo, called out the EFCC, asking other MMM users to hold the agency responsible for the alleged crash of the MMM. The user wrote: “Where the hell was EFCC? Isn’t it your job to stop crap like this?” In a swift response, the EFCC on its official handle @ officialEFCC said, “You mean amongst the plethora of venality we fight daily, Ponzi schemes