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Christmas is almost upon us and almost everywhere bar the Premier League, the winter break is arriving -- no matter how short. We catch you up with one final blast of news you might have missed these past few days due to the snowfall of COVID-related soccer news. From Manuel Pellegrini extending his stay with Real Betis to Jonathan David's agent announcing that the Canada international will be on the move this coming summer, we have you covered.

Our picks.

Prolonged Pellegrini project

The Chilean tactician has had his contract at Benito Villamarin extended until 2025 with Los Beticos currently third in La Liga after an excellent start to the season. Pellegrini arrived in 2020 and led them to sixth position last campaign and the Verdiblancos are in the reckoning for UEFA Champions League qualification. The ex-Real Madrid, Manchester City and Villarreal CF boss boasts a win percentage of 52.2% and joins Sergio Canales in pledging his future to the Andalusian outfit.  

David departure

Lille's Canadian hotshot has been linked with a move away from Stade Pierre Mauroy for some time now and Ligue 1's current leading scorer will definitely be leaving Les Dogues this coming summer, according to his agent Nick Mavromaras.

"For us, the goal is to finish the season with LOSC, but this will be his last season there for several reasons," the representative told Radio Canada's So Soccer podcast. "I think the Premier League is a great option for him. I think he likes Spain a lot too. These two leagues are the main priorities for him, but nothing is being ruled out.

"You never know with Paris Saint-Germain or the big Italian clubs. It is normal that all these big clubs are interested in the top scorer in Ligue 1, but I can tell you that, today, there is no official offer. I cannot say the price -- it is down to Lille. In the end, that is soccer. Jonathan is not going to show it, but he knows he is one of the best young forwards in the world."

Goodbye Godin

Cagliari's poor Serie A season shows no sign of changing for the better on the pitch after another defeat against Juventus on Tuesday and Diego Godin has also confirmed that he is leaving the Sardinian club after a less than ideal stay after his Atletico Madrid exit.

"I am going to leave Cagliari in January," said the Uruguay international to Sport890. "It is over after many problems here and I am looking for a new solution. In 10 days, I will be able to talk about my new club."

Berg boon

Ligue 1 outfit RC Lens have won the race for Bodo/Glimt's Patrick Berg after announcing the Norway international's signature. Franck Haise's men are in European contention and the 24-year-old's addition to the squad helps to boost what is one of the most intelligently constructed groups in Le Championnat.  

Heintz help

Union Berlin have confirmed the signing of Dominique Heintz from Bundesliga rivals SC Freiburg with the 28-year-old excited by the challenge awaiting him at Stadion An der Alten Forsterei after nearly four years with Christian Streich's men.

"Union have developed impressively over the last years," Heintz said in a statement. "They have not only stabilized themselves in the Bundesliga but have also played in Europe. After three-and-a-half years in Freiburg, I am looking forward to the new challenge to be a part of this club."

Arsenal's awkward advert

Arsenal's crypto-based fan tokens broke advertising rules, according to a watchdog. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) says that the Premier League outfit "failed to illustrate the risk" of investment in Socios' Gunners tokens and ruled that the adverts "must not appear again" in current form. The club are seeking an independent review and claim that they provided enough information.

AFCON advances

CAF president Patrice Motsepe has insisted that the Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in Cameroon with COVID threatening an already delayed tournament: "I will be here on 7 January with my wife and kids to witness this incredible competition," he said at Yaounde's Olembe Stadium. "You can see that there is a huge commitment and a focus to make sure that there is good progress. It will be the most successful AFCON."

Meanwhile, SSC Napoli's Victor Osimhen has declared himself ready for Nigeria to select him for AFCON duty as he recovers from a broken cheekbone.

Bare Bordeaux bones

Finally, the Ligue 1 outfit will take on David's Lille on Wednesday with nine players missing due to positive COVID tests as omicron starts to hit French soccer just as the winter break arrives with other midweek games expected to be impacted too.