Sport shorts: David Beckham targets Sergio Aguero for Inter Miami and Coco Gauff sets up Australian Open clash against Naomi Osaka

1. Beckham targets Aguero and Silva

The Sun reports that Inter Miami president David Beckham is planning a “stunning transfer swoop” for Manchester City star striker Sergio Aguero.

Argentine Aguero, who came off the bench last night to score City’s winner against Sheffield United, is open to extending his stay at the Etihad when his contract expires in 2021.

However, it’s also believed that the 31-year-old is not against a “shock move” to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

According to the Sun, ex-England captain Beckham and his new MLS side Inter Miami have “made contact” with the representatives of Aguero and his Man City team-mate David Silva in recent months.

2. Barca monitor Aubameyang and Rodrigo

Barcelona are also on the lookout for a new striker following the news that Luis Saurez will be out of action for four months with a knee injury.

ESPN says the Spanish champions are “monitoring” Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Valencia’s Rodrigo Moreno. However, they may have to look at other options as both clubs would be unwilling to sell in the January transfer window.

3. Pressure builds on Mourinho

The Daily Mail reports that Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho is already facing “growing unrest” in his squad over tactics, long-ball training sessions and public criticism of summer signing Tanguy Ndombele.

Spurs are without a win in four Premier League games and tonight host bottom club Norwich City.

Tonight’s Premier League fixtures

• Leicester City vs. West Ham United (7.30pm, live on BT Sport 2)
• Tottenham Hotspur vs. Norwich City (7.30pm)
• Manchester United vs. Burnley (8.15pm, live on BT Sport 1)

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

4. Brawl mars Kansas basketball derby

A massive brawl erupted at the end of last night’s college basketball clash between Kansas and Kansas State in the US. Players from both teams threw punches before local police and coaches stepped in to break up the fight. Kansas beat rivals Kansas State 81-60.

5. Williams will miss Six Nations opener

Wales back Liam Williams will miss the Six Nations opening match against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday 1 February. Williams will now be aiming to return for Wales’s second-round match against Ireland in Dublin.

2020 Six Nations: squads, fixtures, TV guide, betting odds

6. Gauff to face Osaka in Melbourne

It’s been a dramatic third day at the Australian Open tennis grand slam in Melbourne.

In the women’s singles American 15-year-old Coco Gauff beat Romania’s Sorana Cirstea to set up a third-round clash against defending champion Naomi Osaka on Friday.

World No.1 Ashleigh Barty and 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams are also through to the third round. Britain’s Heather Watson has progressed to the second round after beating Kristyna Pliskova.

In the men’s singles Britain’s Dan Evans was knocked out but defending champion Novak Djokovic and 20-time grand slam winner Roger Federer eased through to round three.

7. Mercedes ‘keen to remain’ in F1

Earlier this week it was reported that six-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is set to stay with Mercedes and sign a new two-year deal despite rumours of a move to Ferrari in 2021.

And today, according to Motorsport.com in Italy, it’s also claimed that Mercedes and team principal Toto Wolff are ready to commit for the long term.

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

8. Sarries saga continues

The Daily Express has slammed Saracens for their lack of contrition and says the relegated English rugby giants have “refused to hand back trophies” that were won during their tainted era of salary cap breaches.

Independent adds that Saracens are refusing to refund season-ticket holders despite the fact that next season they will be watching their team in the second tier of English rugby.

9. Rashford a doubt for Euro 2020

The Times claims that Marcus Rashford’s stress fracture of his back could keep the Manchester United striker out of England’s Euro 2020 campaign.

Rashford’s setback is the latest worry for England manager Gareth Southgate, given that Harry Kane’s hamstring injury has also cast a doubt on his availability this summer.

10. Today’s back pages

There is one story that dominates the back pages and that is Arsenal’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Domination is what the Blues did to the ten-man Gunners on the pitch last night, but the visitors still managed to share the spoils thanks to Hector Bellerin’s late equaliser.

Arsenal salvage a point at Chelsea: Martinelli shines, Mustafi gets savaged and Lampard is livid

Today’s newspaper back pages

Arsenal and Luiz are ‘saved by the Bell’

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––