Wednesday’s briefing: Alexander-Arnold’s future, Rooney exits and Duran charged

Wayne Rooney will enter the new year out of work while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future remained the subject of intense speculation as 2024 drew to a close.

Rooney bade farewell to Plymouth with the club rock-bottom of the Championship and Liverpool reportedly rebutted interest in their right-back from Madrid.

Real deal?

With his current Liverpool contract due to wind down in July, speculation over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is sure to fill the gossip columns in the first few months of 2025.

And the new year clock ticked down amid reports that Real Madrid had made the first move to entice the 26-year-old – and that the Premier League leaders had told them in no uncertain terms that he is not for sale.

Wayne’s World

Wayne Rooney’s latest managerial job ended in disappointment as he departed Plymouth after presiding over a run of just four wins in 23 games.

Sunday’s defeat to fellow strugglers Oxford was the last straw at Home Park but the 39-year-old appeared to depart on reasonable terms.

He said in a statement: “To the Green Army, thanks for making the games at Home Park so special, they are memories that we will share forever.”

Duran charged

In news that is sure to leave Aston Villa boss Unai Emery spluttering over his celebratory champagne, striker Jhon Duran has been charged by the FA with improper conduct.

Emery was apoplectic over Duran’s sending-off against Newcastle on Boxing Day, and his player’s furious, bottle-kicking response has seen him at risk of an extended suspension.

Hammer horror

West Ham will be glad to see the back of 2024 after learning captain Jarrod Bowen faces a spell out of action having suffered a fractured foot in the 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool.

“The injury to his left foot, picked up in the first half at London Stadium, will sideline the Hammers captain heading into the new year,” said his club in an official statement.

What’s on today?

Arsenal head to Brentford on Wednesday (1730, TNT Sports) knowing they can ill afford any more slip-ups if they are to keep their flickering hopes of a title challenge alive.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has refused to give up hope despite heading into the new year nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool – but Thomas Frank’s Bees, who ground out a goalless draw at Brighton on Friday – will provide a stern test of their credentials.

Also on New Year’s Day, the race for the Championship promotion places hots up with leaders Leeds facing Blackburn (1500) while Sheffield United travel to the Stadium of Light to face fourth-placed Sunderland (2000).

Meanwhile, brace yourselves: the new year means the wrenching open of a new transfer window – traditionally a quieter one, but surely not short of speculation as rivals limber up to get themselves in shape for the remainder of the campaign.