INSIDE SPORT: Man City officials are surprised Richard Masters hasn't acknowledged Erling Haaland's nine-and-a-half year deal - and the reason why players are unwilling to move during the January transfer window

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Officials at Manchester City are understood to be a little surprised not to have received an acknowledgement from Premier League chief executive Richard Masters after they tied down Erling Haaland to an extraordinary nine-and-a-half-year deal.

Regardless of the ongoing legal situation between the two, Haaland is one of the most instantly recognisable players on the planet and — amid concerns that incoming financial rules may see the top stars head elsewhere — to keep the prolific Norwegian in the English top flight may be viewed as a positive for both club and competition. 

The free-scoring 24-year-old is also often front and centre of Premier League marketing campaigns.

Man City officials are surprised Richard Masters didn't acknowledge Erling Haaland's deal

Keeping Haaland in the Premier League could be seen as a major positive for the competition  but Masters hasn't commented on his deal

Richard Arnold involved at Teneo 

Sir Bill Beaumont's decision to bring in crisis comms firm Teneo may well have raised the eyebrows of fellow knight of the realm, Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Not only were Teneo one of those shown the door in Ineos’s cost-cutting drive after they arrived at Manchester United last year, but earlier this month the agency appointed Richard Arnold as non-executive chairman. Arnold was a key player in United’s successful commercial operation but had, at best, mixed fortunes when he stepped up to become chief executive, coming under heavy criticism for his role in the Mason Greenwood debacle, which saw the club’s position flip-flop.

Arnold departed in November 2023 — just as Ineos were finalising their investment in the club — in a move it later emerged cost United £5.53m.

Richard Arnold is involved at Teneo, the company that Sir Bill Beaumont has hired

David Sullivan purchases Manchester restaurant 

David Sullivan has swooped for a restaurant in the heart of Manchester’s football land. The West Ham United co-owner is involved with a firm called Dunham Massey Investments, which has bought highly-rated Riva, in Hale, Cheshire, an established haunt of players and managers from both sides of the city’s divide.

Local celebrity Recardo Patrick, a member of 1970s act Sweet Sensation (who had a No 1 with Sad Sweet Dreamer), appears to be fronting the venture. However, Sullivan is listed as a ‘person with significant control’ at Companies House. The restaurant, rated the best in the village, opened in February 2019 and has hosted Sir Alex Ferguson, Harry Maguire, Jack Grealish and Luke Shaw.

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan is involved in a firm that has purchased a Manchester restaurant

Champions League format impacts transfer window 

The new Champions League format has had a knock-on effect on the January transfer window.

According to agents and clubs, the fact that sides now remain in the competition — rather than a number already having exited at the group stage under the previous system — has reduced the number of players willing to move and is impacting those seeking to address areas of need before the end of the season.

The new Champions League format has had a knock-on effect on the January transfer window

Love-in between Trump and Infantino continues 

The love-in between Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino continues, with the FIFA president due to attend Monday's Inauguration. Fans were left scratching their heads when Trump made a surprise appearance during the draw for FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, which takes place in the US this summer. He spoke glowingly of Infantino, referring to him as a ‘winner’. The pair met this week at Mar-a-Lago, Florida, and the FIFA boss is spending more and more time in the US, which will also host the next World Cup. 

FIFA president Gianni Infantino is set to attend Donald Trump's inauguration 

Sadness at Alzheimer's Society after Denis Law's passing

Denis Law will be missed by many in the game, and there is also considerable sadness at his passing at a major charity. Manchester United legend Law, whose death at the age of 84 was announced on Friday, provided major support to the Alzheimer’s Society along with his family, both in raising funds and awareness.

There is sadness at the Alzheimer’s Society following the passing of Denis Law

Premier League referee Chris Kavanagh will take charge of a Champions League fixture

Chris Kavanagh set for Champions League appointment 

A good week for Chris Kavanagh. The referee oversaw Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa on Saturday and will take charge of his first Champions League fixture on Tuesday, when Slovan Bratislava take on VFB Stuttgart.