AC Milan have reportedly closed the door on outside approaches for Christian Pulisic even while formal contract talks remain unresolved. The United States captain’s current deal runs until June 2027 and negotiations over an extension have dominated much of 2025 without a definitive outcome.

Speaking on the Men in Blazers podcast, Fabrizio Romano said there are “zero” concrete contacts or negotiations between any Premier League side and Pulisic. Milan regard the forward as “the player at the moment,” one that is “untouchable.” Those assessments have limited the chance of a transfer this winter or next summer despite interest elsewhere.

Pulisic left Chelsea three years earlier and had been linked with Manchester United. He made 145 appearances for Chelsea and became the first American to play in and then win a Champions League final during his time with the club. Reports also placed Al Nassr in the picture, but he reportedly turned down the move and the chance to play with Cristiano Ronaldo to remain at Milan.

The club hopes that a new contract will remove any distraction while the team competes for the Italian title this season. “I expect Milan to return back to the table very soon and to try and offer him a better deal and to find a solution,” Romano said.

Pulisic has been productive since arriving at Milan in 2023, scoring 42 times in 115 appearances and helping the club secure last season’s Italian Super Cup for the first time since 2016. A fresh deal would likely include a material pay rise given his form and his status as USMNT captain.

For now, Milan appear determined to make the extension their priority and to deny suitors the opportunity to negotiate directly with a player they view as central to their ambitions. That stability would also clear focus ahead of Pulisic’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Approaching the halfway point of the Fantasy Premier League season, Gameweek 17 presents limited clean sheet prospects but several clear attacking targets. Goalkeepers to consider include Gianluigi Donnarumma (£5.7m), who was rested for Carabao Cup duty midweek and has recorded five or more points in four of his last six matches ahead of a home match with West Ham United. David Raya (£6.0m) remains a set-and-forget option despite a trip to Everton, with Arsenal’s defensive record and the return of key defenders from suspension and injury bolstering his appeal.

Sunderland’s Robin Roefs (£4.8m) leads goalkeeper scoring with 73 points and is in consideration for the visit to Brighton & Hove Albion, though Sunderland have lost six first-team players to AFCON. That situation is worth noting when weighing long-term choices.

At the back, William Saliba (£5.9m) returned from injury against Wolverhampton Wanderers and is expected to start again at Everton, offering both defensive and set-piece upside; Piero Hincapié (£5.5m) is a cheaper route into the same defence. Marcos Senesi (£4.9m) and Adrien Truffert (£4.5m) are options for Bournemouth, who will seek a shutout at home to Burnley after conceding four on Monday.

Marc Guéhi (£5.3m) is the top-scoring defender with 92 points and faces Leeds United, while Maxence Lacroix (£5.2m) trails him by just 11 points. In midfield, Man City’s Nico O’Reilly (£5.3m) and Matheus Nunes (£5.3m) are recommended for a fixture with West Ham United; Matheus recorded 11 points against Crystal Palace and Nico produced consecutive six-point returns.

On the attacking front, Antoine Semenyo (£7.5m) returned to the scoresheet with a six-point outing against Manchester United and has a favourable home match with Burnley. Phil Foden (£8.8m) has amassed 55 points across his last four matches and carries a strong record versus West Ham. Rayan Cherki (£6.5m) is a cheaper in-form alternative who scored in the cup midweek.

Other considerations: Bruno Fernandes (£9.3m) and Bukayo Saka (£10.3m) for their current form; Kevin Schade (£7.0m) returns from suspension to face Wolverhampton Wanderers; Harry Wilson (£5.6m) has 42 points across four games and hosts Nottingham Forest. Erling Haaland (£15.0m) was rested midweek after a brace last weekend and has nine goals in his last six matches against West Ham.

Striker picks include Hugo Ekitiké (£8.6m), who has scored back-to-back braces and travels to Tottenham Hotspur, plus Igor Thiago (£7.2m) if fit, Raúl Jiménez (£6.3m) and Evanilson (£7.0m) as short-term options. The GW17 deadline is 11 a.m. GMT on Saturday, Dec. 20.

Roy Keane criticised Kobbie Mainoo’s older half-brother after the fan wore a T-shirt reading ‘Free Kobbie’ during Manchester United’s 4–4 draw with Bournemouth.

Mainoo has been used sparingly by Ruben Amorim this season and asked for a loan in the summer to aid his development. The academy graduate has started just one match, that appearance coming in the shock defeat to League Two Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round. Reports suggest Mainoo’s frustrations prompted a further loan request ahead of the January transfer window, although the Red Devils are prepared to permit a departure only if an “exceptional offer” arrives, according to a new report.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Keane was blunt about the actions of Mainoo’s sibling and about the midfielder’s immediate future. “When he’s got his idiot brother doing all that stuff—we shouldn’t even be giving his brother the time of day,” said the former United captain. “Because sometimes you’re just surrounded by idiots, especially in families.

“You come in after the match, and your brother did that … if my brother [had] done that, you would be looking at him going, ‘what are you doing?’ You would, and do you know what—do you think his brother’s done that without asking him?”

Keane also urged Mainoo to remain at Old Trafford and work for a first-team place rather than seeking an immediate exit. “He’s 20 years of age, what’s wrong with sitting and learning your trade? And even if he’s not getting a chance, we’ve all had to do it,” added the Irishman. “Sometimes a manager is on your case and what you have to do is prove them wrong. Every day is your chance to prove yourself to the manager. He’s got to get that in his mindset.

“The life of a footballer is about trying to prove people wrong. I have no problem players going out on loan, it can work for everybody, but sometimes as a player, your biggest challenge is here at Man Utd and getting into that first team.”