Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news snippets from across the footballing world, including Mesut Ozil's praise for former boss Arsene Wenger, Gerard Pique's shock bid for Notts County and plans for fresh investment at Wolves. Scroll down for more!
Ozil pays tribute to Wenger
© Reuters
Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil has paid tribute to former manager Arsene Wenger after the Frenchman was inducted into the Legends of Football Hall of Fame. Wenger brought Ozil to the Emirates in 2013 and worked alongside him for five years before his 22-year reign came to an end last year.
"Congrats on this award, Mon. Wenger. Well deserved," Ozil wrote on Twitter. "Thanks again for everything you've done for me and the whole Arsenal family. You have huge respect for the beautiful game and we'll always have huge respect for you."
Ex-Millwall keeper training with Villa
© Reuters
Former Millwall goalkeeper Jordan Archer is training with Aston Villa during the international break, according to the Daily Mail. The 26-year-old - released by the Lions over the summer - is highly unlikely to sign for the Villans and is looking to maintain fitness while he searches for a new club.
Pique 'failed with Notts County bid'
© Reuters
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique failed with a surprise bid to buy Notts County last season, according to The Athletic. The Spaniard is believed to have viewed the club - now playing in the National League after financial difficulties - as a potential breeding ground for promising young Spaniards, similar to Barca's La Masia setup.
Wolves chief seeking new investment
© Reuters
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi has admitted that wealthy Chinese owners Fosun are looking for new partners to inject fresh investment in the club. Fosun bought Wolves - then playing in the Championship - three years ago for just £45m but have since spent around three times that amount on the playing squad, resulting in promotion to the Premier League and a place in this season's Europa League.
The company have decided to look to third parties to further the club's growth, however, with plans to further improve the squad and expand the capacity of Molineux by 50% on the agenda. Shi told China Global Television Network: "We welcome any new partnership, new funding, new sponsorship to help us, to grow together with us. And to push the club to a high level in the future."
Hammers to send Holland on loan?
© Reuters
West Ham United winger Nathan Holland is likely to be sent out on loan when the transfer window re-opens in January, according to Football Insider. The 21-year-old is a rising star at the London side and the club believe that a loan out to a lower-tier side is the best move to aid his development.
Dubravka: 'Newcastle must buy the right players'
© Reuters
Newcastle United stopper Martin Dubravka has warned that the club need to make the right moves in the transfer window if they are to establish themselves in the Premier League. The Magpies have been among a group of sides to struggle in the early months of the season but did claim a morale-boosting win over Manchester United before the international break.
"When I came here, we finished 10th, and last season was 13th," Dubravka said in the club's matchday programme. "We'd like to put this club a little bit higher and I also think that this club deserves to be higher but only if you are keeping the right players, and also if you put some players in who can bring some quality."
Beckham's new side scouting La Liga
© Reuters
David Beckham's new side Inter Miami are scouting La Liga for players ahead of their MLS debut next year, co-owner Jorge Mas has revealed. "We're going to sign players at the highest level," Mas said at a conference last week, later confirming that the side had held talks over ambitious moves for Edinson Cavani, David Silva and Luis Suarez.
Hamsik to make Napoli return?
© Reuters
Marek Hamsik has suggested that he could make a surprise return to Napoli to 'lend a hand' just eight months after he left the club for Chinese side Dalian Yifang. The 32-year-old called time on a 12-year tenure in Naples to make a lucrative move to the Chinese Super League, where he has registered just two goals in 23 appearances to date.
"It's going well in China," Hamsik told Sport Mediaset. "The season ends soon. It's already been a year and I've got used to things here. Leaving Napoli was my decision. Of course, I'm sorry, but Napoli remain in my heart. Now I'll go and see the lads against Atalanta. This Napoli team can win the Scudetto and go far in the Champions League. They can do anything.
"I don't know if I'd be useful for Napoli right now. I won't exclude coming back to give them a hand, but I will say that I've signed on for three years in China so I think I'll stay there."
