Saturday's papers have one story that is really about the other story. Spanish outlet Sport reports that Erling Haaland has no clause in his Manchester City contract covering relegation, or any other circumstance for that matter. On an ordinary weekend that would be a filler line. This weekend, with City found guilty of most of the 115 charges and a sanctions hearing still to come, it reads differently.
The 26-year-old Norwegian is contracted and, on the face of it, staying contracted whatever division City find themselves in. Whether that holds up if the worst outcome arrives is a matter for lawyers rather than newspapers, but the reporting is that nothing in the paperwork gives him an automatic way out. City have not commented on it and are unlikely to while the sanctions process is live, which means this stays a Spanish newspaper's line rather than a club position, and should be read that way.
Three English clubs, two Serie A names
TeamTalk has City, Liverpool and Chelsea all watching Marcos Llorente. The Spain midfielder is 31 and has not decided his future at Atletico Madrid. The same three clubs are keeping an eye on Alessandro Bastoni, the 27-year-old Inter and Italy defender, who is also said to have Barcelona interested. Two experienced players, both at clubs that would rather not sell, both on the list of the same trio.
Liverpool have a decision closer to home. Mundo Deportivo says they are giving serious thought to making Ronald Araujo's loan from Barcelona permanent. The Uruguay defender is 27 and would be the sort of signing that quietly fixes a problem rather than generating a headline.
Brentford move to keep Schade
Sky Sports report that Brentford are in talks with Kevin Schade over a new long-term deal. The Germany winger has attracted interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, and Brentford's habit in these situations has been to get the contract signed first and negotiate from strength later. Brighton are working along similar lines, planning to trigger an extension in Yasin Ayari's contract in the coming weeks. The Sweden midfielder is 22 and set up Alexander Isak's goal against Romania on Friday night.
Elsewhere, Tuttosport says Juventus have been offered Tyrick Mitchell. The 27-year-old Crystal Palace defender is also said to be of interest to Liverpool and Manchester United. Real Madrid, according to AS, are looking at Finn Jeltsch, the 20-year-old Germany Under-21 centre-back at Stuttgart.
Forest, Villa and a change of approach at Newcastle
L'Equipe report that Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa have both enquired about Valentin Atangana, the 21-year-old France youth international currently at Saudi club Al-Ahli. A move back to Europe for a player that age is the sort of deal both clubs have shown they will do.
Finally, the I says Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson is overseeing a new recruitment approach at St James' Park, one built around younger signings and a different player trading strategy. That is a change of philosophy rather than a transfer, and it is probably the item on this list with the longest tail.
Gossip sources: Haaland contract: Sport (Spain). Llorente and Bastoni: TeamTalk. Schade: Sky Sports. Ayari: Football Insider. Araujo: Mundo Deportivo. Mitchell: Tuttosport. Jeltsch: AS. Atangana: L'Equipe. Newcastle recruitment: the I. All items carried by BBC Sport's Saturday gossip column, 26 September 2026. None of these deals is confirmed by the clubs involved.
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