One final time in 2021, we catch you up with some of the stories you might have missed this week with numerous European clubs taking advantage of the winter break to do some early business ahead of January and a return to action. From Jonathan Ikone leaving Lille OSC for Fiorentina to Angers SCO's massive COVID-19 outbreak, we are your one-stop shop for those elusive stories which often slip by undetected.
Our picks.
Viola add Jonathan Ikone
ℹ️ We can confirm the total agreement with @ACFFiorentinaEN for the transfer of Jonathan Ikoné
— LOSC (@LOSC_EN) December 31, 2021
The French international will sign with his new club on 3 January 2022 when the Italian transfer window opens
All the best, Jorko! 🤝
Lille have confirmed that Ikone, 23, will join Fiorentina when the winter transfer window opens on January 3 after a total agreement was reached between the two clubs. The Paris Saint-Germain youth academy product is now a full France international and helped LOSC to last season's Ligue 1 title ahead of his formative club.
Monaco to move on from Niko Kovac
AS Monaco are expected to make the departure of coach Niko Kovac with the principality outfit sixth in the Ligue 1 table. Although not disastrous, the German-born former Croatia international has been under scrutiny for some time as has sporting director Paul Mitchell.
[COMMUNIQUÉ OFFICIEL] L’ESTAC et son entraîneur, Laurent Batlles ont décidé, ce jour, de mettre un terme à leur collaboration d’un commun accord et en bonne intelligence.
— ESTAC Troyes (@estac_officiel) December 30, 2021
➡️ https://t.co/1VewO603oV pic.twitter.com/jvtla8jOZO
Meanwhile, City Football Group-owned ESTAC Troyes have also decided to part ways with Laurent Batlles with the club one point above the relegation places. The 46-year-old was strongly linked with Montpellier HSC over the summer after guiding the Aube outfit back to Le Championnat.
Cuisance catch for Venezia
Venezia have all set to complete the signing of Michael Cuisance on a permanent move for €4m plus add ons from FC Bayern. Matter of time to sign paperworks and announce the deal in next few days. 🤝🇫🇷 #transfers
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 31, 2021
Venezia feel they won the race over CSKA Moscow to sign Cuisance. pic.twitter.com/ENZHhkUkhs
Venezia are closing in on the signing of Michael Cuisance from Bayern Munich with the 22-year-old Frenchman expected to complete his move to Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo shortly. Despite a failed loan move to Olympique de Marseille last season which ultimately saw him excluded from the senior setup, his potential remains high, and he will likely welcome a new start as part of a youthful project.
Rafinha returns to Spain
✍ OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT| @Rafinha joins la Real on loan. Welcome Rafael!!! 🔵⚪🔵#RafaelTxuriUrdin | #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/MGE1vBhVHa
— Real Sociedad (@RealSociedadEN) December 27, 2021
The Brazil international's PSG nightmare is over after he completed a loan signing until the end of the season with Real Sociedad after the 28-year-old barely featured under Mauricio Pochettino in the French capital. Will Rafinha be able to impress enough to earn the move permanently?
Monchengladbach faces end of season exodus
Decisions have been made regarding @MatzeGinter and @Deniszakaria8's expiring contracts, with both confirming their intention to leave Borussia in the summer ➡️ https://t.co/D4wO5FaCYY#DieFohlen pic.twitter.com/wO1uOXTTdv
— Gladbach (@borussia_en) December 29, 2021
The Bundesliga outfit have confirmed that both Matthias Ginter and Denis Zakaria have announced their decisions to leave at the end of the season when their contracts expire: "We know now who we can plan with for next season and who will not be here," said sporting director Max Eberl. "We have clarity going into the second half of this season. This was important for us."
Salernitana saviors emerge?
According to Il Mattino, the price to buy Salernitana has lowered to €15m and there is one possibility the Granata can avoid expulsion from Serie A. https://t.co/9EyjkvXHzD #Salernitana #SerieA #Calcio
— footballitalia (@footballitalia) December 29, 2021
Although the Serie A strugglers are not yet safe, three Italy-based groups have shown interest with the possibility of a joint bid raising the prospect of an extension to the buyout process which could see the Granata fight on in Italy's topflight -- for now -- at a price of around $17 million.
Chelsea count costs
UEFA Champions League titleholders Chelsea have announced losses of nearly $197 million after the tax year for June 30 of this year. Although turnover rose from around $523 million to $563 million, the London club say that no crowds due to COVID-19 and reduced player sales were the main reason for the losses.
Osimhen could miss AFCON
📌 Napoli has announced that Victor Osimhen has tested positive for Covid-19 but is asymptomatic. Dr. Tartaro was due to perform a check-up on the player tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/NMnkf4Qo9p
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) December 30, 2021
Victor Osimhen has tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time which means that his eligibility for the Africa Cup of Nations is in major doubt. The Nigeria international was due to have his cheekbone injury assessed in Naples but has since tested positive and is now required to isolate for at least one week.
"Consequently, the local authorities have ordered that Osimhen self-isolate, and the check-up will be rescheduled after he has tested negative and his period of isolation ends," read a Napoli statement.
In an effort to avoid COVID-related postponements at all costs, the FFF have temporarily lifted the rule requiring squads to feature at least 7 players who were involved in 1 (or both) of the last 2 Coupe de France games. #CdF https://t.co/FpEGHCTsor
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) December 31, 2021
Meanwhile, France's Angers have confirmed an incredible 19 positive cases from a squad of 30 with staff members also testing positive. The Ligue 1 club have already requested that their Ligue 1 clash with AS Saint-Etienne be postponed while temporary measures are being taken by the French Football Federation to ensure that there are as few postponed games as possible.
China declares tattoos taboo
For the new tattoo ban, GAS explain in these terms. They also said this. pic.twitter.com/f5WJRaTDxM
— Wild East Football (@wildeastfootbal) December 30, 2021
Finally, Chinese soccer players who represent the national team have been banned from getting tattoos and advised to remove existing ones as part of a government directive. Per China's sports administration body, internationally selecting players with body art at senior and youth level is strictly prohibited to set a better example to society.
Late entries
𝗕ack in ⚪️🔴⚪️ & ready for 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮...
— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) December 31, 2021
🙌 @BrianBrobbey6 pic.twitter.com/nIrzeoO5la
As if that was not enough, Kylian Mbappe returned a day early for PSG's training resumption while AFC Ajax have welcomed Brian Brobbey back from RB Leipzig just months after the 19-year-old made the move to Germany. The Dutchman and Ilaix Moriba are showing that, despite RBL's strong track record in rapidly developing top young talent, the grass is not always greener on the other side.