PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – He is not on the market because Barcelona are holding on to him tightly, but anyone thinking of signing Lamine Yamal would need to spend at least €343 million. This is the value assigned to the Blaugrana starlet by CIES, the Football Observatory, which has drawn up the Top 100 list of the most expensive players in the world, taking into account factors such as age, contract length and club affiliation.

Yamal tops this special ranking ahead of Erling Haaland (€255 million) and Kylian Mbappé (€201 million). There are no Serie A players in the top 10; the highest-ranked is Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz in 14th place, valued at €121 million. A few spots further down (19th) is Inter’s Lautaro Martínez (€109.6 million).

Italian football features three other players on the list: Napoli’s Rasmus Højlund (€92.8 million) and Inter’s Pio Esposito (€75 million) and Alessandro Bastoni (€62 million). The most expensive Italian player is Gianluigi Donnarumma — who also tops the goalkeepers’ ranking — valued at €81.4 million.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

AMSTERDAM (NETHERLANDS) (ITALPRESS) – Erik Ten Hag is set to restart from his home country, the Netherlands. Dismissed at the start of the season by Bayer Leverkusen, the 55-year-old former Ajax and Manchester United coach will become Twente’s new technical director from next season, replacing Jan Streuer. Ten Hag — who will already be integrated into the club’s organizational structure from February 1 — thus returns to the club where he played and later took his first steps as a coach.

-Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Malta’s pension system owes much of its current stability to inward migration, but long-term demographic and housing pressures pose growing risks, according to a strategic review published this week.

The findings are contained in the 2025 Strategic Review on the Adequacy,
Sustainability and Solidarity of Malta’s Pension System, mandated every
five years under the Social Security Act.

With a low fertility rate of 1.06 and an ageing workforce, the report highlights foreign workers as essential to sustaining the pay-as-you-go pension model.

Between 2008 and 2023, social security contributors rose by 87% to 283,000, largely driven by migrant labour. Of nearly 245,000 foreign contributors over that period, only 5,736—just 2.3%—earned pension
entitlements.

High turnover among migrants provides short-term fiscal relief, as many leave Malta before qualifying for pensions, generating contributions without long-term liabilities.

However, the review cautions that reliance on migration alone will not be enough as the working-age population is projected to fall to 51% by 2070.

Housing costs are flagged as a key threat to pension adequacy, with renting pensioners identified as the most financially vulnerable.

The report recommends reforms including private pension auto-enrolment, revised benefit structures, and linking pension increases to both wage growth and inflation. Public feedback is open until April 3, 2026.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A new Driving Licence Surrender Scheme opened today, offering young people up to €25,000 in financial incentives if they voluntarily give up their driving licence for five years.

Launched by Transport Malta on a first-come, first-served basis, the scheme targets individuals aged 30 or under at the time of application.

Applicants must have lived in Malta for at least seven years and held a Category B driving licence for a minimum of 12 months.

Under the programme, successful applicants will receive €5,000 per year for five consecutive years, amounting to a total of €25,000.

The initiative forms part of a €25 million national budget covering the period between 2026 and 2030 and aims to reduce the number of private vehicles on Maltese roads.

Participants must surrender their driving licence once their application is approved, after which the first annual payment will be issued.

The remaining instalments will be paid on each anniversary of the initial payment.

Beneficiaries are strictly prohibited from driving any vehicle, whether in Malta or abroad, throughout the five-year period.

At the end of the scheme, participants will be required to apply for a new driving licence and complete 15 hours of driving lessons.

The scheme excludes individuals with revoked or suspended licences, non-EU licence holders, and those whose employment requires a driving licence.

Early reapplication will require repayment of part or all of the grant, while anyone found driving during the scheme faces fines, repayment obligations and possible legal action.

Applications will remain open until 30 June 2026.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

PARIS (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – “100% Fake News.” Luis Campos, PSG sporting director, contacted by Canal Plus, flatly denied the rumors about Luis Enrique. Yesterday a story began circulating on social media – attributed to “Bild” but without any real confirmation – according to which the Asturian coach had rejected a significant contract extension offer to leave Paris at the end of the season and take on a new challenge. Moreover, Luis Enrique’s contract expires in 2027.

– photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

LONDON (ENGLAND) (ITALPRESS) – Federico Chiesa’s name has once again come to the fore ahead of the January transfer window, with links to Napoli and Juventus. However, according to Sky UK, the 28-year-old forward is very likely to remain at Anfield: despite limited playing time under Slot (although it has increased compared to last season), Liverpool are not keen to part ways with the player during this transfer window.

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

STRASBOURG (FRANCE) (ITALPRESS) – Strasbourg wasted no time in identifying the replacement for Rosenior, who has moved to Chelsea: it is another Englishman, Gary O’Neil, former manager of Bournemouth and Wolverhampton.

“I am proud to join this incredible club and I can’t wait to get started,” O’Neil said in his first comments. “Racing has a unique history, extraordinary passion, great resilience and, of course, loyal supporters who want to see this team play well and achieve results. We have a group of very high-quality players and clear, ambitious objectives for the season. My priority is to work hard with the team and give everything to ensure the club’s success.”

Out of work since December 2024, when he was dismissed by Wolves, the 42-year-old O’Neil – according to L’Equipe – has signed a contract until 2029 and will make his debut on Saturday in the French Cup against US Avranches.

In Ligue 1, the number of managerial changes since the start of the season has risen to four: previously at Monaco (Pocognoli for Hütter), Nantes (Kantari for Castro) and Nice (Puel for Haise).

– Photo IPA Agency –

(ITALPRESS)

Source: medNews

SAO PAULO (BRAZIL) (ITALPRESS) – “Santos is my home. I’m safe and happy here. And it’s with you that I want to make my dreams come true.” Neymar and Santos are moving forward together: the almost 34-year-old Brazilian has officially extended his contract until the end of 2026.

A year ago, he decided to return to the club where he grew up to play consistently and convince Ancelotti to bring him to the next World Cup. The former Barcelona and PSG striker—who hasn’t been called up to the Seleção since October 2023—is currently recovering from surgery on his left knee, which he underwent after playing the last few league games with a torn meniscus in an effort to help the team secure survival. He is expected to return to action in early February.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – Real Madrid is flying to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup without Kylian Mbappé. The French striker is not in the squad for Jeddah after being diagnosed with a knee sprain last week, although, according to Spanish media, Real Madrid have not ruled out a recovery in time for Sunday’s final should they beat Atlético on Thursday.

They certainly don’t want to take any risks, given that Mbappé’s knee problems date back to the match against Celta Vigo on December 7th, and despite everything, he played the full 90 minutes against Alaves, Talavera, and Sevilla, albeit not at 100%.

That’s why they opted to leave him in Madrid, to allow him to fully recover in preparation for the tour de force that awaits Xabi Alonso’s team upon their return from Saudi Arabia, including the Copa del Rey, La Liga, and the Champions League.

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews

BARCELONA (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “Cancelo? I’ve said it’s not done yet, but if it happens, I’ll be happy because it will give us attacking options. It’s a good solution and he’s a quality player.” Hansi Flick is ready to welcome the Portuguese full-back, who is expected to arrive on loan from Al Hilal.

This is a return for the former Inter and Juventus player, as he previously played for Barça in the 2023-24 season, but his loan was not renewed. “You know the situation better than anyone,” Flick, who arrived immediately afterward, told reporters. “We had to be smart with the transfer market; we’re not like other clubs that can spend hundreds of millions. At that time, the best thing for the club was to give opportunities to young players. We believe in them, and now we have the option of signing a top-notch, experienced attacking player. I’ll be 100% happy if we sign him.”

The choice fell on Cancelo also because “with Araujo’s return, we’ll have enough options at center back.” And speaking of the Uruguayan center back, who returned after taking a month off due to stress, “I want to talk to him. We haven’t decided. If he’s ready, maybe we’ll change something. That’s not in our plans right now. We need to take care of the players. Everyone. Players are under pressure, and we’re human. We make mistakes, and we need to be there to support them. I appreciate what the club has done in this situation. Ronald is a very important player for us, one of our captains. I hope he returns to his best.”

-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).

Source: medNews